.: OK, so I’m a week late on this … but I’ve been thinking and talking about it for months now. If you’ve hung out with me at all, chances are you’ve heard part of my rants on the subject. So, here’s what I’m gonna do about it, and here’s some of my thoughts on how I got here. And please take note, this is just what I’m thinking and feeling … I’m not drawing any conclusions for you, or implying that you should think along the same lines … so …
I’m taking a year off from social networking … facebook and twitter mostly. And I’m looking for some good friends to join me. And I want to write and blog about it. Why?
Facebook was launched in 2004, and I set up my profile on August 17, 2007.
Twitter was launched in 2006, and I sent my first tweet out on June 23, 2007 at 1:13 PM PST.
Can you even remember/imagine your life before all these tools to bring us closer together? Here’s what I’ve noticed it’s done for us. On the positive side, for friends and family who it’s been difficult to connect with due to distance and time, it’s actually helped us stay more connected. It’s easier to mass send pictures, updates, and check in on cousins, nieces and nephews, know what’s happening with the aunts and uncles. This part I love.
For closer friends, and newer people in my local community that I was to spend time with or get to know better, Facebook and Twitter have done the exact opposite. For me, it has created a false sense of community, and a sensation of connectedness without the actual connecting part. For instance … about 6 months or so ago, we met a couple (Michael and Nicole Longnecker). I think since we’ve met, I’ve maybe had 1 or 2 conversations with Michael, and maybe 2 or 3 with Nicole. But … I know he bought a motorcycle recently … they’re in Amsterdam right now, heading to France … he watched the World Cup, and has some great theories on Lost. All this without any actual conversations. So what’s wrong with that? Well, when I’m driving around and I’m thinking of who I haven’t seen in a while, or who we’d like to go have dinner with, friends like the Longnecker’s don’t immediately come to mind, as our Social Networking connections have created in my mind a feeling that I’m all caught up with them … so we reach out to people that don’t post much on Facebook/Twitter. Just a small example, but it applies to so many people that we actual care about and want to connect more with. Even my kids … there’s little need to have the “how was your day” talk, as I already know … I’ve seen the play-by-play on facebook.
So, here’s the experiment … I’m keeping my personal Facebook active, but only for long distance family and friends who it’s impossible to connect with in person. Anyone local, I’m gonna be dropping. Then, if I want to know what’s happening, or you want to know, we’ll actually have to see each other.
For Twitter, I’m converting my account to my “business” account. And it will be a one way affair. I’m deleting my facebook and twitter apps from my phone. And I’ll link my blog post, where I’ll be blogging about this process, so the twitter’s go out, but with hopefully a little discipline, I won’t be reading what’s coming in.
So there you go … i’m a little nervous, as I’m anticipating a little bit of isolation and withdraw from leaving “the grid” … but I’m really hopeful it will produce some more times like these :
Good luck Jason, gonna miss you on Twitter though
Posted by MonsterSam | 11. Jul, 2010, 3:16 pmI think this is a brilliant idea!!!
Posted by Laryn | 11. Jul, 2010, 3:21 pmi’ve had similar conversations recently about the dilemma of social networking. i admire your stance on it and this effort to do real and legit community without it.
i would love to connect up with you and your wifey without the bridge of fb….so, hit me up (swaldrop@us.ci.org) and we’ll get some time on the books. love your heart and your intentions here. totally get it!
Posted by steph waldrop | 11. Jul, 2010, 3:22 pmIt just dawned on me that you are the only XY I follow on Twitter. Eek! What does it all mean? LOL
Well, I fully support whatever you want to do, and you make an excellent argument for it for sure, but I am just glad that what you are planning to do does not affect me because I don’t do Facebook at all, and on Twitter I only read the tweets from you that show up when I login (and even then it is only as a curious fan of the guy who put together the That I Would Be Good/Use Somebody medley for KC, is all — that kinda impressed the gajeebees out of me, though it could have been the easiest, least impressive thing you’ve ever done for all I know).
So I don’t really stalk you online the way I do others, but I am glad to see I still could if I wanted to. LOL. Yes, unlike you, some of us didn’t have lives outside of social networking even before these things were invented, so they are kind of a big deal to the likes of us pathetic socially challenged peeps.
Posted by H Nicole Young | 11. Jul, 2010, 3:32 pmGood luck Jason!
Gunna miss your funny tweets and tweeting session with the other boys on twitter
But I get what you’re saying and I’ll be sure to stay up to date with your blog to see how you’re getting on.
This experiment better be worth it tho JH… we better see some awesome blogging going on
You’ll be missed on the social networking radar.
Danielle
Posted by Danielle | 11. Jul, 2010, 3:42 pmI know for me, It is a struggle to find balance. I do love it for connecting my friends and making dinner plans. I also use it for our small group at church. It is easy to send a fb message out to all. I do make sure that I plan dinners with people, even on fb, and go out. I try not to be online very much. It is definitely very time consuming! I also am keeping in touch with what my children are doing and saying to others.
BTW…Tom and I were talking on Friday night and we WANT to have dinner with you and Rhonda sometime next week? Are you available? I’ll have Tom text you tonight as well. We could meet somewhere! I look forward to reading your blog about this. A year is a long time!! I can see a month or 3 or 6…but a year… I am impressed…
Posted by Lorrie Harden | 11. Jul, 2010, 3:51 pmamen to what danielle said!
Posted by Britt | 11. Jul, 2010, 5:04 pmI will miss your Tweets, but wish you luck with your experiment.
I’ll see you on the road when the next Tour starts. I’ll be waving at you so look out for the old broad.
Take care.
Love,
Sandy
Posted by directorSandy | 11. Jul, 2010, 7:53 pmJust to clarify my previous comment….
I’ll be waving at you FROM THE AUDIENCE, so look out for the old broad.
Posted by directorSandy | 11. Jul, 2010, 8:14 pmcouldn’t agree more with you, i have facebook account, never go on it. Twitter I go on to check on new info on things that interest me, no posting for me.
Everything you blogged is so true, hope you find that life is fuller without the need to be “connected”. I will miss your sarcarsm though!
Posted by morganax | 12. Jul, 2010, 9:30 amReminds me of an article where a woman was at her kid’s Little League or soccer game and she looked up and noticed no one was talking to each other as everyone used to at these functions. They were all on their Blackberry’s (sic) Quite an eyeopener.
Posted by caqrolyn | 12. Jul, 2010, 11:30 pm