I just can't shake the thought that it's time for change. And although it may be slightly unwelcome, it's most likely a good thing. The very fact that this is even a big(ish) deal to me is evidence that change is due.
It's time to say goodbye to Facebook.
And before anyone reading dismisses this as a Facebook basher post... allow me to outline what I believe to be some very real and good things about the current social networking heavyweight champ.
1. As a kid, I moved around a lot. The longest I lived in a place was three years. I lived on both coasts before landing in the middle. I said goodbye to a lot of friends over the years, and "seeing" them on Facebook has been fun. Like knitting together pieces of my history.
2. I'm a mom, at home with 3 littles every day. And while doing so, pretty much encompasses my dream job, my days can sometimes be a little light on adult conversation. Facebook provides a nice side-bar to my routine discussions about trains, princess dresses, juice boxes and potty problems.
3. My family is spread across the country. We don't see each other often at all. Facebook helps us not forget what each other look like.
4. Many of the people I bump into in the church hallways, or might bump into in another church's hallways are on Facebook. When somebody on Facebook needs prayer, these people answer. To see the body of believers, line after line, committing to pray, is a wonderful thing. Rejoicing over answered prayer is equally amazing. Facebook as a prayer request clearinghouse is a great thing.
That said... there's a problem. I guess you can say it's a trust issue.
Picture a little kid trusting a bigger kid to push him on the swing. At first, it seems almost ideal. Flying through the air as the big kid does all the work, enjoying the breeze, laughing with the kids next to him. That is until, the big kid decides it would be fun to impress his friends by pushing the swing a little too high. Then a lot too high. Suddenly, what was once fun is now terrifyingly out of control. That little kid wishes he'd never even seen that swing- but it's too late now.
Facebook is the big kid here. Facebook makes promises to leave the decisions up to me- I can set my profile to private, I can make sure only "friends" are able to view my content. But I also know with one "right click/save," my babies' faces will grace the desktop wallpaper of whichever creepy pervert takes the time to try. (It's ugly, but true.) I can delete everything at any given time and they promise to throw it into their virtual trashcan and never show anyone again. But do they? will they? And what's stopping them from changing their mind?
The answers are "I hope so." and "Nothing."
I guess you can say the swing is flying a little higher than I'm comfortable with, and I'm choosing to jump off while I can.
That's the short and sweet version. For a different perspective... check out these links that my husband found:
And this video... a Facebook commercial actually- which in my opinion, pretty much describes all of the things we should be doing to connect with others, instead of looking at Facebook:
And I have a favor: There are many among my Facebook "friends" that I'd love to stay in touch with. I suppose the friendship litmus test will be whether that actually happens once the convenience of virtually connecting is gone. If you're game, and you don't already have my phone number, send me an email or leave a comment here. Let's do lunch. I promise I'll tell you how much I "like" your outfit and how cute your kids are. It will be just like old times.
1 comment:
So, all I can think of is, good for you! This reminds me of our Daniel study...listening to your own inner voice--the HS in your heart--and not conforming to society just because it's easier than standing for something you believe. I would LOVE to do lunch, & you have my #!! :) (maybe on a T/Th when we only have our littlests...
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