bookishaviator From Australia, joined Jun 2009, 192 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 944 times:
In a recent fit of internal rage, I deactivated all of my social network accounts - Facebook and Twitter being the main ones, plus a couple of other minor ones.
I had various reasons for doing so, not least of which being what I perceived to be my growing unhealthy addiction to these sites. Checking Facebook was the first thing I did every morning upon rising from sleep. Absurd!
Also, I've always been a relatively private person, so there was something about using these sites that never sat comfortably with me.
So, rather than alter or moderate my usage (logical as that may seem), I chucked it all in and now I am completely social network free! (Well, does an internet message board count as social networking?) Of course this happened only after many Jack Twist-esque 'I wish I knew how to quit you' moments.
At first I had withdrawals, started to wonder how I was possibly going to keep up with what was going on in the world and in the lives of people I cared about or was 'interested' in. Now, however, I find I'm bothering to delve further into events and stories that have piqued my interest, rather than settling for 140-character grabs. I'm forced to interact in 'real-life' (woah!) and I'm getting more out of my relationships that way. Well may you say that I could've done all that whilst still a member of all of these sites (and I would agree with you), but I somehow feel a whole lot less tech-tired from keeping up with my social networks and more encouraged to do 'stuff' (although that idealism may well wear off).
In short, it's been great! And I really don't feel like I'm missing anything.
So I'm interested to know who else here has abandoned Facebook etc. and how you've fared since. Or perhaps you've considered it but something's holding you back? What about those of you who have never subscribed and don't intend to - why?
When I die, when I die, I'll rot. But when I live, when I live, I'll give it all I've got.
DeltaMD90 From United States of America, joined Apr 2008, 2697 posts, RR: 25 Reply 1, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 930 times:
I'd join you, but there is a huge reason I do not. There are several friends I have that are ONLY contactable via FB. I don't spend too much time on FB, and I always pick hanging out in person over "hanging out on FB." I think most people fit in this category. I'd delete my FB in a second if it wasn't for these friends. I'm not saying you are unfairly bashing FB users, but this thread will probably fill up with them. I will ask them one question: If 5 of your good friends, for some reason or another, moved away and they really don't check their email and don't use their phone that often, would you consider using FB to keep in contact with them? I'm trying to get this point in before we hear the usual "oh go meet with someone get off your computer!!1" comments
bookishaviator From Australia, joined Jun 2009, 192 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 924 times:
Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 1): I'm not saying you are unfairly bashing FB users
Not at all my intention (just to pre-empt any responses in that vein). I'm simply speaking of my own experiences. In fact, I totally appreciate that Facebook has its place and can be a good tool. It's just that I've simply chosen not to use it.
[Edited 2012-01-28 20:51:25]
When I die, when I die, I'll rot. But when I live, when I live, I'll give it all I've got.
DeltaMD90 From United States of America, joined Apr 2008, 2697 posts, RR: 25 Reply 3, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 918 times:
Quoting bookishaviator (Reply 2): Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 1):
I'm not saying you are unfairly bashing FB users
Not at all my intention (just to pre-empt any responses in that vein).
Oh I know. I just see them in every thread. Instead of "you have your prerogative" they usually spout out insults on how FB users are obsessed and never talk to real people, etc.
Like I said, I'm more against it than for it, it's just a necessary evil in keeping in touch with some people...
vikkyvik From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 6516 posts, RR: 29 Reply 4, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 885 times:
I'm still on Facebook (no real impetus to completely quit) but I sign in maybe once a month these days. It's useful to keep up a bit with extended family, but that's about it. For my close friends and family, there's no need to catch up with them on Facebook. And I've never friended strangers.
I've never joined Twitter - never seen the appeal. I have no desire to advertise where I am and what I'm doing every minute. I have a Myspace account left over from years ago - probably haven't signed in in 3 years.
I was lucky enough (in my opinion) to have grown up before all the social networking became big. Of course I sound truly like an adult saying that - "kids these days!"
There's nothing wrong with social networking; it's certainly done much good for many people. But like everything, it's up to you to police yourself. I have found that I don't really need Facebook anymore, hence much reduced usage.
The spirit of Massachusetts is the spirit of America!
zippyjet From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 3808 posts, RR: 13 Reply 5, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 873 times:
Quoting bookishaviator (Thread starter): I had various reasons for doing so, not least of which being what I perceived to be my growing unhealthy addiction to these sites. Checking Facebook was the first thing I did every morning upon rising from sleep. Absurd!
Not so fast! I do understand where you are coming from. However for me so far, Facebook has been one of the best things since the invention of sliced bread, web sites featuring flexi girls, you tube and A-Net. For someone like myself who's 55 years young with a good case of ADD, Facebook has covered a lot of miles. Over the years, there have been friends, aquaintences etc. who I've procrastinated from calling. Getting in touch via FB covers a lot of ground and has led to the renewal of old friendships. I am an Internet addict so, I have to moderate and balance myself. As many of you know, I have Sprint Internet and they now cap usage so things such as you tube, level 350 are now luxuries to savor. It's way too easy to go past those damn caps. Back to Facebook, I asked how to shut down the instant messenger and got my answer. Now I feel more like the controller and can get in and out quicker and not fly off on tangents. So far, I want my Facebook when and where I want it. I have My Space but MS has faded like the Boeing 720, Lockheed Electra. I have Twitter and only go to tweety land when necessary. It's too user intensive. FB seems to have the best of them all easy on, easy off easy navigation. I hope you change your mind and re-instate your FB account. If so, look me up friend request me and you'll have the
syndicate of friends at your fingertips. My network covers a lot of territory.
geezer From United States of America, joined Aug 2010, 715 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 865 times:
What never ceases to amaze me is..........why so many people do the things they do, especially when I don't do any of them.
Facebook; I kept hearing about facebook all the time, had no earthly idea what it was, why is was, how it was, or even IF it was ! The amazing part is, had it not been for something totally beyond my control, I would still be in exactly the same place; totally unaware of facebook !
But then it happened..........all of a sudden, right out of a clear blue sky, for no apparent reason, the love of my life, the one and only, Miss Arlie suddenly grew tired of her "farm" ( on "Farmville" ), let the whole place grow up in weeds, and jumped onto Facebook !
For a time there, Miss A and I were "sharing" our iMac; (the only other machine in the house at the time still being in the suit case from it's un-successful trip to the "Fruit Store", where the resident "genius" said, "fagetaboutit"
As Miss A is formerly from the "banking world" in the Windy City, she has many, many friends; many of them used to email each other all the time; ( Miss A's in-box used to average 40 emails every day; then, there is still the annual amtrack trip to The Windy, for all of the retired bank ladies, known as the "Old Bank Bags Get-Together".
Sometime after Facebook "came along", things started to change; someone found facebook, then others started looking at facebook, and now, after only a couple of years, I'm guessing that Facebook has probably had as great of an effect on daily email volume on the internet, as email has had on the USPS. ( And in case you're wondering, the USPS is rapidly declining to the point of becoming a thing of the past in the not terribly distant future. Is that a good thing ? Who the hell knows.........certainly not me.
Is Facebook a good thing ? ( I's rather odd that I'm even talking about this ) I'd have to say, it all depends on your point of view; for a great many people I know, care about, like to "keep track of"......yeah, I'd say Facebook is a great thing ! It serves a very necessary function in a great many peoples lives. On the other hand, from my own point of view, had I not been on a computer where Facebook is THERE, everyday, I would STILL be totally unaware of what Facebook even is, because I would never have used it. I just simply don't have any need for it. I have Miss A; that's all I need, and having Miss A, I automatically have a million friends ! I can't think of a single person I know who has it so lucky as I do !
So, you will never hear me saying anything negative about Facebook ! I LOVE Facebook; (even though I never use it)
I guess most people see me as very independent; I'm usually not inclined to do things just because other people are doing them; I usually don't do things until I feel a need or a desire to do something; just as an example of what I'm talking about; before I retired in 1997, I occasionally stopped at a bar near where my company was located, and where some of our people "hung out" at. At that time, I probably still consumed maybe a six pack of beer in a month, and then, only if I was eating a sandwich, or maybe eating pistascio nuts. Anyway, I stopped on my way home after coming in from a week long trip to where ever; half a dozen of our guys were in the bar, ( which was a very "peaceful" place, as bars go........I had a bottle of beer with my 1/2 lb burger, was talking to a couple of my friends. There was a fellow in the place who used to work for our company, who had been fired a year or so before; I didn't know him at all, just to see him "around"; ( guy always dressed like he was some kind of "big shot" ) He kept getting the waitress to tell me I should "come over to his table, as he want to talk" ( guy had been there "a while", so he obviously had a lot more "alky" in him than I did, ( with my one and only beer ).......after a while, i kinda started getting annoyed, so I walked over, said "look......here's how it is.......you're half on your ass already, I'm not; if you want to talk really bad, bad enough to get your clothes all dirty, let's just go outside right now, and it will be a very short "conversation"; you will be completely on your ass, and I'll have to drive 30 miles home, all pissed off. He wisely decided to "stay put", and I'm glad he did; on the way home, I did some of my best thinking in years ! I asked myself.......why do I even go in bars ? (90% of the time, there is ALWAYS some fool looking for trouble ). I have had enough bar fights, truck stop fights, and all other kinds of fights to last me. So I decided to "alter" my life style; I haven't been in a bar since, and that was about 1995 or 6; I haven't had a beer in 10 years; I doubt if I'll ever have another one ever........I'm a VERY fortunate man......I have no craving for alcohol, dope, porn, or any of the other crap that ruins people's lives. I have more good friends than I've ever had in my whole life, I'm in excellent health for my age, and most important, I'm very happy with my life.
Whatever anyone else needs to be happy, have at it ! I won't ever bother you ! If you're younger than I am, ( and most people are ), if you haven't already figured this out, don't let anyone do your thinking for you; think for yourself; don't be "influenced" by others, ( unless they are a damn good influence ) And HAVE FUN ! ( I do. )
AR385 From Mexico, joined Nov 2003, 3954 posts, RR: 29 Reply 7, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 846 times:
I only have FB. I don´t have twitter or any other social networking app. My brother has been insisting that I open a twitter account but so far I´ve consciously refused. I have e-mail (msn) and I guess that´s it.
The way I see it, everything serves a purpose just as long as you don´t lose perspective. FB is a tool, a good tool for me and my friends, but it´s not a substitute for human interaction. If you find that you spend more time interacting socially on FB than face to face, in my humble opinion, then you are in trouble. Of course, I mean this under normal circumstances. If you just arrived in a country where you don´t speak the language, then sure, I´ll give you more latitude.
And it happens without you realizing it. This Christmas I got a Kindle Fire and suddenly, a week ago, I realized I was taking the damn thing with me all the time and would only go to public places that had WiFi, whereas in November, I would take a book and could care less about WiFi.
I won´t delete my FB account. Wonderful events with friends I have not seen in a while have been organized there without a single phone call, for example. However, it´s just a tool. It´s up to me how I choose to use it.
It does escape me though why some people would belong to over 4 different social networking sites. Do you really have that much time in your day?
Quokkas From Australia, joined Jan 2012, 440 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days ago) and read 832 times:
For years I didn't bother with Facebook, Twitter or Myspace because I didn't see a need. However I did receive an invitation to join a "secret" group aviation enthusiasts and I signed up.
After a period I dropped out of both A.net and Facebook but when I decided to become active in this forum again it was nice to receive an email from a member of the group inviting me to rejoin. I said yes and it was pleasant to receive a few "friend requests" from people that I respected.
But I am keeping my involvement in Facebook restricted that group. For family and personal friends we still have the phone, email and the occasional meeting in person.
I can see the advantages in Facebook but I can easily see how it becomes addictive. A great tool but a poor master.
Type-Rated From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 3664 posts, RR: 23 Reply 9, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 552 times:
I have never gotten involved in any of the social networks. I think they are big time holes. If I want to have friends, I'll see them in person. I do have out of city/state/country friends, but we communicate via regular e-mail.
My nutty sister is involved in Facebook big time. Everything she does is via Facebook. If you call her, she'll tell you to just contact her via Facebook. For her, if you are not on Facebook, you don't count. Want to see a photo of her last vacation? Look at Facebook. If you are not a member, too bad. You don't get to see her photos. Her entire family is like that. It's like they have devoted their lives to Facebook.
I can see how some people can have a use for it, but I don't like the way it tracks what you are doing. I was a member for a short period. But when I was on a website buying an auto part a little "like" popped up on my screen. Next thing I knew, everyone I know on Facebook knew that I bought something from that online auto store. I don't like the data mining aspects of Facebook.
I feel it's an invasion of privacy.
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
DeltaMD90 From United States of America, joined Apr 2008, 2697 posts, RR: 25 Reply 12, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 537 times:
Quoting 2H4 (Reply 10): Quoting Type-Rated (Reply 9):
If I want to have friends, I'll see them in person.
I don't know where people get the idea that social media and real-life social interaction are inherently mutually exclusive.
Exactly.
I'll add that FB has a convenience factor. I don't need to email friends, I don't have to share links with a different website like photobucket, if I want to tell everybody some important news (really important not something stupid) I can tell everyone without sending a million emails, and additionally, those friends can comment with each other about that news (instead of a bunch of 1 on 1 conversations.) All of that is via FB, not a bunch of websites. That being said, a person I used to never FB at all was my gf believe it or not. That's because I'd be with her, not FBing her! I say that in past tense because now we're hours apart so it's an easy way to share internet links, but I talk to her on the phone mostly. It's just a convenience thing.
Quoting Type-Rated (Reply 9): My nutty sister is involved in Facebook big time. Everything she does is via Facebook. If you call her, she'll tell you to just contact her via Facebook. For her, if you are not on Facebook, you don't count. Want to see a photo of her last vacation? Look at Facebook. If you are not a member, too bad. You don't get to see her photos. Her entire family is like that. It's like they have devoted their lives to Facebook.
I agree many people FB waaayyy too much, but look at it from her view. She has all her pictures on FB and all her friends/family can see it... except you. She'd have to reupload all those photos onto photobucket or something, then email you the link (as for me I hardly ever email since most my friends are on FB so I send them a message there.) Not gonna tell you how to run your life, but it wouldn't kill you to make a FB and never use it except to view family pics. I know many people that do that, they have no profile picture, all the info is blank, but they're able to log on, look at photos, and log off without "withering" their lives away. Having her email you a link to a photobucket album is basically the same thing as her showing you her FB album through your hardly ever used FB account, difference is, she only has to upload a zillion pictures only once. Just something to consider
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2265 posts, RR: 11 Reply 13, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 512 times:
Quoting bookishaviator (Thread starter): At first I had withdrawals, started to wonder how I was possibly going to keep up with what was going on in the world and in the lives of people I cared about or was 'interested' in. Now, however, I find I'm bothering to delve further into events and stories that have piqued my interest, rather than settling for 140-character grabs.
Like most new technology FB has it's place. I really don't miss the days of looking for a pay phen when I got lost (and I'm under 40). It's interesting (at least to me) that I own a smartphone but rarely check my voicemail or use it for anything more than checking sports scores and making the occasional phone call.
In the late '90's when I was just out of college, I used to guide canoe trips from N. Minnesota into N. Ontario. When I'd go out on a two week trip I don't remember myself ever coming back after a 2 week information blackout and wondering what new cupcake store a friend of mine "likes". On a humorous note, I did come back across the border once from a long trip and called my gf from a pay phone next to a newspaper stand and asked her if she'd heard Princess Diana had been killed (the paper next to it had it as a headline). She said, "where the hell have you been! that's all the news has been talking about for a week!".
We can live without all this, it's really all about convenience and a perceived need to contact anyone anytime.
Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 1): I have that are ONLY contactable via FB. I don't spend too much time on FB, and I always pick hanging out in person over "hanging out on FB." I think most people fit in this category. I'd delete my FB in a second if it wasn't for these friends.
And I get that. I probably use FB more than I should. I do run a small alumni group from my uni and have found FB is the easiest way to get everyone together, especially with the under 30 crowd. Much easier than what the geezers (no offense geezer) used to do with phone trees.
Quoting 2H4 (Reply 10): I don't know where people get the idea that social media and real-life social interaction are inherently mutually exclusive.
I'm sure it works for some people, but the same people that say it does tend to post photos on FB that won't get them hired by my company.
swissy From Switzerland, joined Jan 2005, 1711 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 497 times:
Would be the same for me... do not use any of these services... why would I? got a phone to stay in touch, I can call,txt or send an email or I use BBM or use face time on my Iphone. Have no use for TW/FB and all the others call me old school
Type-Rated From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 3664 posts, RR: 23 Reply 16, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 469 times:
And a big rule for any social media is:
Don't put anything out there that you wouldn't mind seeing on a large billboard on the busiest highway near you. So many arguments, fights, etc. have been cause just by what someone typed in on a Facebook page or Twitter tweet.
I'm just sayin'....
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
YVRLTN From Canada, joined Oct 2006, 1761 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 434 times:
Personally, I emigrated from the UK to Vancouver. I have no family here whatsoever and while I have several good acquaintances - mostly work related - I would struggle to say they are many very good friends like the ones you grew up with, there just is not the history and its hard to break into a social circle.
Anyway, the point is I find FB invaluable keeping in touch with all my old friends in the UK, former work colleagues who have scattered literally all over the world and family. I go back once a year, but it is impossible to see all of them. It is amazing how much of every day life you keep up with just by following their posts & photos, particularly when they have kids, because you miss all that detail. I used to use hotmail so much more, but typing out the same "news" to multiple people became too much of a chore in my busy life.
Have no time for twitter though, can only see the point of that for famous people or organizations with breaking news.
I wonder if FB & twitter merged it would be called twitface...
WESTERN737800 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 662 posts, RR: 1 Reply 18, posted (3 months 3 weeks 1 day ago) and read 411 times:
Facebook is a great tool for me. I work a job where getting out of town is almost impossible. So its a very nice addition to texting/calling people. The thing I like about it is you don't have to memorize email addresses that I'd forget anyway, just remember their names and you're good to go. When I first got it I was on it too much, now I just check it every other day. It just works a lot better than email for me.
Sponsor Message: 
From Australia, joined Jun 2009, 192 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Apr 2008, 2697 posts, 
From Mexico, joined Nov 2003, 3954 posts, 
From Switzerland, joined Jan 2005, 1711 posts, 
call me old school 
From Canada, joined Oct 2006, 1761 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
