I remember when my friend Jason told be about FACEBOOK. He said it was this cool 'online community for college kids'. It was gaining popularity so quickly. I remember hearing stories of this young college kid that came up with the idea, and the rest is history,...or the future.
People came out of the woodwork on FACEBOOK. Childhood friends, ex-girlfriends, distant relatives, former classmates, creepers, co-workers, ex co-workers, etc.
I have been keeping track of how many times I check FACEBOOK on a daily basis. I wake up at 4:30am, and I immediately check status updates from overnight. I look to see if anybody is commenting of "liking" anything I wrote. I go on-air and sign on at 6am and open FACEBOOK and leave it open until 10am. I usually write stuff on our radio station wall, but keep an eye on what else everyone is doing. I'll check in on FACEBOOK an average of 10-15 times a day.
I put photos, video, and other random items up on my wall from time to time. I basically put up photos of the kids, or our family.
As of lately, I've noticed a couple of things that have really, really bothered me.
1. Laziness. There are a good handful of people that I never talk to anymore because its just easier for me to look at their "wall", not call, leave them a quick comment and move on. I do not like that kind of relationship.
2. "Unfriending". I cannot believe how many people actually take it personally when I "unfriend" them or not "friend" them. I would like my relationships with people to go beyond a status of a website.
3. Drama. Its easy to talk / not talk behind a computer screen. Its easy to give your opinion without any kind of real feedback sitting on a keyboard. Its easy to take every word read out of context because you or I read it differently than how it was written.
4. Trouble. Loyola University did a study this year, and FACEBOOK is cited in 1 out of 5 divorces, and FACEBOOK is the #1 spot for online evidence. (Don't worry, Debbie and I are not getting divorced)...lots of poor decision-making happens on FACEBOOK.
5. Privacy. I tend to live my life like an open book but as of recently it bothers me when a complete stranger approaches me and says "Hey, I read on FACEBOOK that..." or "I saw your daughter's photos." Very disturbing, and I'm at fault for that.
I used to blog an awful lot. I enjoyed journaling, writing, expanding an idea. Twitter has edited our thougths to 140 characters at a time. Now, I still like Twitter, and I am still hanging on to the blog, (granted not nearly as many people stop by as they did 5 years ago but then again, I have been absent in blog posts.)
So...I'm getting off the FACEBOOK wagon January 1st, 2012. I made a joke to myself recently, "My God, how did we all get along without FACEBOOK a few years back?.....very well, thanks."
I'm going to keep a profile and remain "friends" with my wife, daughter, moms, and dad...but thats it. I'm also staying on for "work" purposes. Its a great connection to listeners and that audience, but personally, I'm done. The only reason the immediate family made the cut is because I want to make sure they have access to photos and such. But I also want them and you to know that there is this amazing piece of technology called a PHONE. Lets use it. I miss talking to people.
Don't get offended if you got deleted. Don't get pissed if I "unfriended" you, I did it to everyone.
I'm still a tweetin' madmann at www.twitter.com/mynameiscorey and I'm going to continue blogging, (been doing so since June 2005!) You can find me there, ok?
So...so long FACEBOOK, you have been fun, but you've also been a huge pain in the butt.
Twitter Updates
3 comments:
I've been thinking of doing the same thing myself sir. I actually find that I dislike myself (no pun intended) when I am spending so much time caring or worrying about if people liked what I said.
My only problem is, most of the people that are my "friends" on facebook are most likely too busy to talk on the phone most days. That and I don't speak very well on the phone. In person and through typing I'm fine, but when I'm on the phone I just don't really have much to say.
So I am currently weighing the pros and cons of deleting my facebook. I'll figure it out in time I'm sure. Ha, maybe I will even land a job where they don't want us on facebook and my decision will be made clear.
In any case I am glad to see that you are taking part of your time and life back.
If it weren't for the fact that Facebook is the primary way of communicating with college students, I would spend a WHOLE lot less time on it. I find it takes a ton of discipline to use it wisely as a ministry tool.
I really liked this post Corey. Blogging is my favorite! Ive been reading yours since 2005 and will continue to! Blessings to you and your family this year!
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