Ah, Twitter, the global junior high cafeteria. Also a wonderful space where people share joy and information. My husband is on the platform, he informs me of the latest food fights, at least the ones in his sphere.
I learned the hard way about the pitfalls of social media (on Facebook, ew) after the 2016 election. Threw myself into local politics and community work in a small local city. Got (purposely) entwined in several groups, some local chapters of national orgs, with the goal to synergize (ug) efforts “on the left.” Put myself out there big time on Facebook. It did not go well, as in the end, I was burning the candle on both ends, as I’m wont to do, and could not be everything the community wanted me to be (which included being a bludgeon for each cause on Facebook, etc.). It all crashed and burned in spectacular ways, and I don’t claim to have played it all right, either.
So yeah, get OFF social media, sign up for post card writing campaigns, maybe join, like, ONE social justice group you really believe in, and help them to visit your state legislature and other reps. Boots on the ground, rest your fingers.
I dunno, "Not great, Bob!" will forever live in my memory.
That being said, I feel I've been coming to the same conclusion re social media that you are espousing. Just scroll on past, just scroll on past. And Spock is a cutie!
Brilliant piece, Gents. I’ve seen more than a few people on FB (Twitter is just a big no for me) blame their trash behavior on the platform, algorithms, misinformation, etc. The truth is that those things just provide a confirmation bias that we all look for, and some people chose to use as permission to do things (constantly) that they either have to walk back or gin up righteousness to keep defending.
Hello, little Spock! You sure are a cutie patootie and I hope you find an amazing home!
I have been working really hard on not engaging in arguments on twitter. It’s hard because a throwaway line on your part can bring down the fury of a thousand suns. Still, I’m trying to be more aware. If I do catch myself then I’m trying to learn to shut up and mute the convo. They just aren’t good for my mental.
Kitty is sooo cute. Kitten season has been insane this year. I’m having back issues and can’t foster and feeling all kinds of guilt as a result. If your barber need resources, hit me up. I know a wealth of free or low cost resources in the city.
I merely lurk on Twitter and facebook to see what people think - can't be bothered to engage with most - remember someone will see and someone will criticize, so just watching
Spock is a cutie. I hope all the babies find good homes.
Social media is interesting. I was watching a youtube video about this same subject today. I've learned, and it didn't take much because I'm a wimp and don't believe in confrontation, that everyone does indeed have an opinion but they also may not take the time or effort to dig a little deeper and go past the surface. I've offered answers to questions that some may have asked only to have someone comeback and accuse me of something that I wasn't doing at all. I will sometimes explain but most of the time, I will let it go because that's just time I will not get back.
About 6 mo ago, when that Korean boy band SbS or whatnot, was exploding, I commented something like ‘who’ on one of those posts &… it was insane. I was lectured (mostly nicely) about WHO they are & WHY they’re so incredible by many of their stans. Lesson learned.
Outstanding Twirl, gentlemen. It gets to the core of some foundational things about social media that have always made me shy away from it. i joined Facebook when it first appeared on the scene, and two weeks later i deleted my account and never looked back. And i've never engaged on/in any of the other social media platforms, and that can be pretty isolating.
Before going solo, i worked for years in the advertising biz, and it was astonishing to me how many people -- apart from their work duties relating to social media -- were completely consumed by Whatever The Latest was in their social media universes.
But then, i realize that i'm an outlier in this world in so many ways, but especially in my lack of desire to participate where social media is concerned.
I got the hell off Twitter in Nov’ 17. I was in a dreadfully low place and Twitter was making it worse. Admittedly, it did help that I set myself the challenge of reading all of Sir Terry Pratchett’s novels helped. 40+ books later…! I now have to find a way of breaking Insta’s grip….
Spock is so doggone (sorry! Is there an equivalent kitty word?) cute, if I lived in Philly I would try to adopt him, having been kittyless for exactly 2 years now, I miss the joy and entertainment that cats bring.
As for social media, uurrgg, I am on a self-imposed hiatus from fb for about a month now, even though I have a very very small group of friends, I just couldn't deal with the occasional cultish falsehoods being perpetuated, especially disappointing have been the comments on our local public radio feed. Tried twitter for some good charitable causes late last year, but never got any followers, so I have abandoned that too. One of my sons has been active through the years on twitter, and his sentiments echo yours exactly, so he is trying to wean himself off. Cold turkey works best I think!
Oh my gosh, what a sweet patootie. I'd get haircuts daily if it came with kitten time!!
I was always overwhelmed at the thought of a new platform from the time Twitter came along, so it's mostly laziness that has kept me off of it. Same with TikTok. I read a few blogs, I'm still on FB, and I glance at IG occasionally. Truly that is more than enough engagement with the world for me!
Mad Men was gorgeous but to me it was the visuals, not the language, that kept me reeled in. That shot of Peggy carrying her box down the hallway with the cigarette in her mouth still gives me a boost.
I think a lot of otherwise kind and gentle people get a sadistic thrill out of getting a scalp on Twitter. You can always pass it off moral concern but the goal is the belittle someone.
Ah, Twitter, the global junior high cafeteria. Also a wonderful space where people share joy and information. My husband is on the platform, he informs me of the latest food fights, at least the ones in his sphere.
I learned the hard way about the pitfalls of social media (on Facebook, ew) after the 2016 election. Threw myself into local politics and community work in a small local city. Got (purposely) entwined in several groups, some local chapters of national orgs, with the goal to synergize (ug) efforts “on the left.” Put myself out there big time on Facebook. It did not go well, as in the end, I was burning the candle on both ends, as I’m wont to do, and could not be everything the community wanted me to be (which included being a bludgeon for each cause on Facebook, etc.). It all crashed and burned in spectacular ways, and I don’t claim to have played it all right, either.
So yeah, get OFF social media, sign up for post card writing campaigns, maybe join, like, ONE social justice group you really believe in, and help them to visit your state legislature and other reps. Boots on the ground, rest your fingers.
I dunno, "Not great, Bob!" will forever live in my memory.
That being said, I feel I've been coming to the same conclusion re social media that you are espousing. Just scroll on past, just scroll on past. And Spock is a cutie!
Brilliant piece, Gents. I’ve seen more than a few people on FB (Twitter is just a big no for me) blame their trash behavior on the platform, algorithms, misinformation, etc. The truth is that those things just provide a confirmation bias that we all look for, and some people chose to use as permission to do things (constantly) that they either have to walk back or gin up righteousness to keep defending.
Hello, little Spock! You sure are a cutie patootie and I hope you find an amazing home!
I have been working really hard on not engaging in arguments on twitter. It’s hard because a throwaway line on your part can bring down the fury of a thousand suns. Still, I’m trying to be more aware. If I do catch myself then I’m trying to learn to shut up and mute the convo. They just aren’t good for my mental.
Kitty is sooo cute. Kitten season has been insane this year. I’m having back issues and can’t foster and feeling all kinds of guilt as a result. If your barber need resources, hit me up. I know a wealth of free or low cost resources in the city.
Good for your stylist for fostering the babies, and good for you for adopting this insanely adorable one!
While I read Twitter, and sometimes retweet stuff I like, I never get into arguments with people I don't know on social media. What's the point?
I merely lurk on Twitter and facebook to see what people think - can't be bothered to engage with most - remember someone will see and someone will criticize, so just watching
Spock is a cutie. I hope all the babies find good homes.
Social media is interesting. I was watching a youtube video about this same subject today. I've learned, and it didn't take much because I'm a wimp and don't believe in confrontation, that everyone does indeed have an opinion but they also may not take the time or effort to dig a little deeper and go past the surface. I've offered answers to questions that some may have asked only to have someone comeback and accuse me of something that I wasn't doing at all. I will sometimes explain but most of the time, I will let it go because that's just time I will not get back.
About 6 mo ago, when that Korean boy band SbS or whatnot, was exploding, I commented something like ‘who’ on one of those posts &… it was insane. I was lectured (mostly nicely) about WHO they are & WHY they’re so incredible by many of their stans. Lesson learned.
Thank you, especially for Spock!
Outstanding Twirl, gentlemen. It gets to the core of some foundational things about social media that have always made me shy away from it. i joined Facebook when it first appeared on the scene, and two weeks later i deleted my account and never looked back. And i've never engaged on/in any of the other social media platforms, and that can be pretty isolating.
Before going solo, i worked for years in the advertising biz, and it was astonishing to me how many people -- apart from their work duties relating to social media -- were completely consumed by Whatever The Latest was in their social media universes.
But then, i realize that i'm an outlier in this world in so many ways, but especially in my lack of desire to participate where social media is concerned.
Peace and Long Life to you, Spock!
I got the hell off Twitter in Nov’ 17. I was in a dreadfully low place and Twitter was making it worse. Admittedly, it did help that I set myself the challenge of reading all of Sir Terry Pratchett’s novels helped. 40+ books later…! I now have to find a way of breaking Insta’s grip….
Spock is so doggone (sorry! Is there an equivalent kitty word?) cute, if I lived in Philly I would try to adopt him, having been kittyless for exactly 2 years now, I miss the joy and entertainment that cats bring.
As for social media, uurrgg, I am on a self-imposed hiatus from fb for about a month now, even though I have a very very small group of friends, I just couldn't deal with the occasional cultish falsehoods being perpetuated, especially disappointing have been the comments on our local public radio feed. Tried twitter for some good charitable causes late last year, but never got any followers, so I have abandoned that too. One of my sons has been active through the years on twitter, and his sentiments echo yours exactly, so he is trying to wean himself off. Cold turkey works best I think!
Oh my gosh, what a sweet patootie. I'd get haircuts daily if it came with kitten time!!
I was always overwhelmed at the thought of a new platform from the time Twitter came along, so it's mostly laziness that has kept me off of it. Same with TikTok. I read a few blogs, I'm still on FB, and I glance at IG occasionally. Truly that is more than enough engagement with the world for me!
Mad Men was gorgeous but to me it was the visuals, not the language, that kept me reeled in. That shot of Peggy carrying her box down the hallway with the cigarette in her mouth still gives me a boost.
I think a lot of otherwise kind and gentle people get a sadistic thrill out of getting a scalp on Twitter. You can always pass it off moral concern but the goal is the belittle someone.