That is, if you let them waste your time. You don't have to, you know. You are in control. You can limit the amount of time you spend on these social media sites, and I'd advise it: setting a timer and changing your focus when the buzzer goes. It's all too easy to think you've spent 15 minutes there and discover you've just lost an entire hour. That's the way it is with any kind of reading, don't you find?
You can also switch off your television, find a channel without advertising cutting in every five minutes, or read during the commercials. You don't have to watch a movie till the end, just because you gave it 15 minutes of your attention to start with. Turn it off and move on.
You can listen to podcasts and recorded music; you can turn to a public radio station that doesn't advertise but offers fascinating, informative programming. There are a million ways around the time-wasting aspects of these things we do to find out what's going on with our friends and in the world.
On Facebook, I've very little interest in people's political statements, or in puppies, kittens and cute children, or in the inspirational quotes, the recipes, and so on. Most of it has already been seen 15 times, or if I am interested in a subject I can easily search it out myself online; I don't need Facebook to bring it to my attention. And that's the main reason I scroll on by a lot of what is posted in people's FB feeds. For me, a lot of that stuff is a time-waster. What interests me is what my friends and acquaintances are up to, and photos of them and their families.
Very rarely — but it does happen — there is a message that is a perfect reminder of something important to me.
Well, here it goes, I am trying to post a comment again, wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteI don't like Facebook, and not just because it can be a time waster. A corporation recording personal thoughts and family events chills me to the bone. I don't share that kind of information on Facebook, leaving it all to my personal journal and email.
On Facebook I have an eclectic group of "friends", most of whom I know in real life. I know they are alive, what interests them, and a bit of what they are up to, I like that. It also lets me know that a few "friends" have a hidden side, one that they would prefer not to display, but do despite themselves. Good to know where the sharp edges are, so as to wear "protective clothing".
As for the politics, I take what I like and read the rest. I agree with some, and disagree with others, but I give them equal time, not much of it, but equal time. I find it interesting how people perceive the world of power, probably because of the yawning gap between the perception and the reality of politics/Politics.
My computer kicks me out every 30 minutes, for ten minutes, necessitating that I get up and focus on other things.
How do you get your computer to do that, Maggie? I'd like to.
DeleteMaggie,
ReplyDeleteI followed that link you sent and made the recommended changes, or most of them. Unfortunately now I'm receiving dozens of spam from "Anonymous. " Oh well. Whatever.
Good topic here Kate. I have a lot of mixed feelings about Facebook. I kicked, protested and screamed against going on there even though I was advised to do so by people helping me with the advertising for my business. Eventually I gave in and they were right, it has paid off for me but I still don't like it and I spend the least amount of time that I can when I do go on it. Unfortunately, as you said so well here, t's become an addiction for many and sadly often replaces actual conversations.
ReplyDeleteA good many of those who put FB down are those who have never used it themselves and don't know what they're talking about. The rest are people who don't know how to discipline themselves or can't handle it when they see something they don't agree with or aren't interested in. It's a tool; control yourself and it, and it's perfectly useful!
DeleteI'm a fan of FB, with family all over the world it keeps us up to date and connected. Don't like that they phish all kinds of info from our postings.
ReplyDeleteI find the best thing about it is finding an old friend!
DeleteI use FB in my volunteer work, but love it more for the ability to know what's going on, goofy or not, with my freinds and family
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