Technology & Media {Simple Living Challenge}

“We are lonely people. So with the click of a mouse we try to convince ourselves that we are not alone: with an email, a blog entry, a tweet, a Facebook update, a glance at the news . . . with my computer and smart phone I can constantly update my status on Twitter and Facebook just to convince myself that someone wants to know the minutiae of my life. I want to know that someone cares about my life and wants my companionship–or at least a status update.” — Isaac Villegas, Living More with Less.

You had to know this was coming; a chapter on technology and media. This is a blog, after all. Chances are, if you are reading this, then you are no stranger to social media. In today’s post I’m going to share my own journey with social media and explore the good and the bad about it.

My Social Media Journey

I attended high school and college in the 90s, so I did not grow up with social media. In recent years I learned to love the internet and email for connecting with my friends and researching just about anything. I dabbled with a MySpace account but didn’t really see the point. Then FaceBook became popular and I found it was a great way to keep in touch with friends. Now I can’t imagine living without it (kudos to those who are able to give it up for Lent!) as it’s become the way we plan get-togethers with friends and keep in touch with friends and family who live out of state.  I thought Twitter, however, was dumb. “Why do I care what someone has for breakfast?” I would say.

And then . . . I became a blogger.

I had planned to cook through Simply in Season, and then the book Julie & Julia came out and I thought I’d give the whole blog thing a try. Little did I know I was entering a whole new social media world. I now manage three websites (2 of which are blogs)  and their corresponding Facebook pages, two Twitter accounts, have experimented with YouTube, and am now getting into LinkedIn. I check in regularly on FourSquare and Whrrl and keep all of the above straight using HootSuite. I’m active on several forums. My smart phone connects me to all of the above, plus my work and personal emails, 24/7.

Good or Evil?

Like just about any topic, I don’t think there’s a blanket “social media is good” or “social media is evil” statement that you can make. Those who claim it’s evil say that

• it wastes time
• it leads to affairs
• it opens up your children to being stalked
• it gets in the way of real-life relationships and priorities
• it’s a tool of the UN, which everyone knows is after world domination and a central government that will take away our freedoms

Those who claim it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread say that:

• it’s a great way to stay connected
• it’s the great societal equalizer
• it’s a great way to make money in your spare time
• it’s a great way to meet your future spouse (OK that one is definitely true, as I met my husband on Match.com)

What do I say? All of the above. I think social media is a tool. As with any tools, it has the potential for good AND evil. I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot over the past couple of weeks. Time is in short supply these days, and I took a break from my usual blogging/commenting/Google Reader routine to step back. Here is what I’ve decided: Wendy’s 10 Commandments for Social Media. Your 10 Commandments might be different. That’s OK.

1. In all things (including social media), I will seek to do the will of God.
2. I will not worship technology; it is just a tool; I will ensure that it does not take over my life.
3. I will partake in and encourage civilized discourse on my blog and wherever I interact on the web.
4. I will not become obsessed with social media. See #2.
5. I will not cringe when my mom posts embarrassing things about me on Facebook.
6. I will not get upset over what people say or post on the internet or wish them harm.
7. The only porn I will partake in is Food Porn.
8. I will always cite my sources and give credit where credit is due.
9. I will always tell the truth and disclose any financial relationships.
10. I will not be jealous of the “big time” bloggers’ stats, nor their spectacular photography skills, nor my friends with perfect lives on FaceBook. I will be content with what I have.

What are your tips for keeping social media from taking over your life?

This post shared at Works for Me Wednesday and Simple Lives Thursday