"The Amish Project" Video
I think it's important to differentiate social media from cell phones and e-mail. In today's world, e-mail is a requirement to be a successful member of a first- or even second-world society. Cell phones, if they're not a requirement yet, are close to being so. Social media, I argue, for the individual, is still optional. But you'd be a fool to completely disregard it.
AT&T recently ran a commercial about people lounging around with their phones commenting condescendingly to others about news happening all around them, sharing that much of that news was "so 27 seconds ago." It's tongue-in-cheek, but it's surprisingly accurate about how present day life is in first-world society. I see AT&T's commercial as a very effective marketing scheme. The message is, don't get left behind - stay in the loop with social technology. Because social media is here to stay, and you'd better buy into it and revel in it - starting with that new smartphone.
In my job, I volunteer (quite happily, I'll add) as a member of our departmental social media committee. I want to help reach out to our students via social media because so many use it, and I also want to stay current on social media technology.
I hold a certain level of admiration for others who thrive on mastering social media as a genuine tool for outreach. It requires certain saviness and political smarts to do that. So I kind of hope they'll rub off on me. But I also hold a person like Jake Reilly in high regard because it takes an independent, bold spirit to stay away from social media, cell phones, and e-mail for ninety days.
Social media is absolutely full of usefulness. It's a space for personal expression, a high-speed autobahn for information, a massive circuitry for discussion, and a multi-mega-theatre for visual and aural relaxation.
On the other hand, it can be the ultimate waste of time, the vehicle for excess vanity, the landfill for anonymous (and not so anonymous) hatred, and the nightspot for sloth.
One moment I find myself railing against it as a destroyer of genuine interpersonal conversation. The next moment I find myself praising it as a tool for gathering resources and broadcasting critical information. I get cynical about social media because I see it as a six-eyed beast (see "The Six Types of Social Media"). But I also think it's a beast with very fluffy hair that you want to latch onto and never let go.
I hear the question: "What's the point in this blog post, Mike?" And the exclamation: "You contradict yourself - pick a side!" Well, this is an internal struggle that I continue to battle, and I doubt either side will ever truly win. I can't champion social media - it has too many thorns. And I can't protest it without faltering - it has its fair share of roses.
At least I can say all of this inspires an internal passion for me. A lively debate with no true, single answer. I watch social media gurus, and I ask, "How can you be so sure you're preaching a good thing?" I see the social media critics, and I ask, "How can you be so sure social media does more harm than good?"
I do believe in these words, sung by my all-time favorite musician Sting, which do help guide me in this social media world:
"Men go crazy in congregations - they only get better one by one."
I think people need to think about these things critically through multiple lenses (hey, I learned that in graduate school). Draw your own conclusions. Experience social media, but also try life without it.
Though maybe not for ninety days.
Props to you if you succeed in doing that, though.
What are your thoughts and feelings on social media?
