Facebook: friend or foe?
I’m starting to feel lonesome. I suspect that family and friends are not visiting the Orlop as frequently as before, nor are they depending on e-mail as much for their primary means of on-line communication. Perhaps it is because they are spending more time on Facebook.
I am more concerned about e-mail. I notice many messages on Facebook about more-or-less private, family concerns that might more properly be communicated by e-mail. Should I just succumb gracefully to a daily visit to Facebook and quit my bitching?
I still have difficulty finding my way around Facebook. Is there a “Facebook for Dummies?”
The Orlop is not so much a concern. My posts don’t fit the sound-bite world of Facebook. (Maybe they don’t fit any world, for that matter.)
Dear Reader, how does Facebook fit into your on-line existence? Do you see it sucking life from e-mail?
Dave, Neanderthal.
Dear Dave, I prefer to read your blog than to read short, quirky updates on Facebook. I am daily tempted to cancel my facebook account, but I can’t get over the feeling that I’ll miss some vital piece of information. For example, how in the world would I have known that Kyle and Adrienne became engaged if I hadn’t seen the update on Facebook–no one emailed me the exciting news. So I hold on and continue acting as a voyeur, lurking in the shadows of facebook once or twice a week.
Thanks for your response (and encouragement), Amy. I am about where you are, checking in with Facebook every so often and for the same reason. Problem is, I am trying to cut down on my on-line time, not add to it. Oh, well.
I’m reading an interesting book called Digital Barbarians by Mark Helprin. It deals with the way we may be losing the ability to thoughtfully communicate, thanks to the Internet. I may review it on the Orlop one of these days. It’s a little over the top, but has some ideas that might be helpful. Or might not.
Dear ol’ Dad, I have to agree in many ways with Amy – but I confess I like both the long, interesting articles, and the pithy comments on Facebook. I love your blog – keep it going – we do lurk, maybe not often enough! You have some wonderful poignant articles out here. And some that are over my head.
As for Facebook – I mostly enjoy seeing the photos of family and friends and quick peeks into friends lives whom I don’t get to see very often (or ever anymore!) It’s especially nice to keep up with our 20-something relatives and their goings on, and there are a lot of goings on!
Soo……hmmm…. maybe Facebook IS slowly sucking the life out of email…. will have to chew on that one a bit… It does seem to be the case for the 20-somethings… but at what cost? Thoughtful, private emails are now public for all to see?
Nice to see Amy’s post – you know what? I think I’ll E-MAIL her and see if she’s interested in reviving a multi-generational family CHAT!
Love,
Leslie
Go for it, Leslie!
I am new to facebook and will never give up reading the blogs I love and writing email. I have not noticed any private exchanges on Facebook, I would guess my dear reserved father just doesn’t realize that’s how people talk! I limit facebook to 5 minutes per evening, just to be sure I’m not missing any news and especially the pictures people post. But I probably spend too much time on blogs and email. Leslie, Laura and I are constantly emailing, and Larry too but less frequently. I’m all for reviving an intergenerational CHAT.. uh reviving? Have we really had one?
Amy… sorry I didn’t email you the news about Kyle! I love your blog and feel like I know what you’re family is up to. Kyle’s news is still new to us! Dad, rest assured, people still read your blog frequently, keep those posts coming. We should all comment to at least prove we’ve been there, lots of lurkers out there!
I just looked down your list of recent posts dad. So many are priceless, I especially love the memories. If any of you have missed some of those, go check them out!
Thanks for your wisdom on the timeless subject of using the Internet (or letting it use us). Five minutes an evening sounds like just about right to me.
Some good points from all. Guess it is just a personal preference what to use. I for one am trying to limit my computer time to spend more brush time. Trying to get to a bunch of blogs just blogs me down…so I don’t look often. Guess that’s the hermit in me coming out. I do agree that it’s time for one place for family communication..CHATS is my choice. Lets see what Bro Don has to say about it. Don????
Gee, what a lot of thoughtful remarks, the likes of which rarely show up on Facebook.
Back to e-mail to see what we can do to resurrect CHATS. Shall we call it Son of CHATS (SOC)?
Sorry.
I’m up for SOC! Go ahead Tom, put down your brush and get us started!