Thursday 11 April 2013

Social Media Life

Social Media.  Most of us in today's society can not live without some sort of social media.  Whether it be Twitter, Facebook,Instagram, Blogs, Newspapers, TV, Magazines, we all have some sort of social media outlet.  I think I might have a love-hate relationship with technology and social media.  "But why, Robin?" you ask.  Well, let me tell you...

I love that sites like Twitter have  brought different attention to big public figures such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Pope and Chris Hadfield.  It has propelled people in to fame just for speaking their minds and have opened people's eyes to the potential their words have and the impact they can make.  On that same note, some people still don't understand the impact their words have and that once you press "send" it is there forever.  Sometimes people type faster than their brain can think about what is being typed.   Before you know it, you have sent a nasty message, a private picture or something you will regret and you will never get it back.  Of course I am guilty of this.  Am I a cyber-bully?  Absolutely not.  Have I said things I regret and that have hurt people and then learned from that experience?  Absolutely. 

Cell phones have been around for 40 years.  It is amusing to look back at the gigantic cell phones of the 70's that came in their own briefcase and had an antenna as long as a jump-rope and compare them to the teeny little machines we carry in our pockets.  For a  long time, I did not want a cell phone.  I didn't like the idea of people being able to get a hold of me no matter where I was.  Sometimes I like to get away and not talk to people.  "Robin, you can just leave your cell phone at home," you say.  Well, of course I could.  Then, if someone tries to contact me, they will think I am dead because I didn't respond in 0.8 seconds.  People are so attached to their phones, they have a panic attack if it breaks or is lost OR if someone doesn't text them back right away.  THE HUMANITY!   I do have a cell phone now, but I let everyone know not to expect much from me.  Thankfully, my friends understand that calling me at home is much easier than trying to text or call my cell phone.  I got my pay-as-you-go cell because of my home child care.  I got it for safety reasons, in case of an emergency when out with the kids.  Thankfully I have never had to use it for that.  Really, my cell is just used as a clock.

Have you ever gone to the fridge to see what there was to eat, not find anything, then 5 minutes later go back to the fridge and look again thinking something delicious magically appeared?  This is Facebook and my relationship.  I will check Facebook during the day SO MANY TIMES it's disgusting.  Everyone is at work or doing something cool, NOT posting on Facebook to entertain lonely housewives like me.  Something magically delicious is not going to appear on Facebook after 5 minutes....but if it does, I'm going to be the first to eat it!

My computer has a hold on me.  I hate how much I love to do stuff on the computer.  For being a new mom, I spend way too much time on the computer.  It's my procrastination device.  Such as, right now.  While my baby is sleeping I SHOULD be mopping the floor, or washing dishes or laundry.  Instead, I am telling the world about my love-hate relationship with technology and social media.  First-class procrastinator, that's me!

2 comments:

  1. http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/blogs/joe-boughner-the-naked-dad/20130409/the-digital-parents-manifesto

    This article is a good read, and along the same lines as what I was thinking when I was writing about how it is so easy to press "send" and not think where those words are being sent to.

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  2. Great post Robin, you sound like me, LOL :-)

    Suz

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