Sunday, November 20, 2016
A Lovely Report: A Social Experiment....in a Society of One
A Lovely Report: A Social Experiment....in a Society of One: Back in mid-August, I discovered through a conversation that you could "un-follow" people on Facebook --not un-friend, but just u...
A Social Experiment....in a Society of One
Back in mid-August, I discovered through a conversation that you could "un-follow" people on Facebook --not un-friend, but just un-follow. I had been feeling very "crowded" in life of late and thought, "gee, this might just be what the doctor ordered." You might think it was from the heated political season, but that stuff doesn't really bother me --I actually enjoy the discussion. I think it was just a culmination of being inundated with technology every where you turn; your phone goes everywhere with you, they now have tv's in every restaurant you go to, and Facebook was just one more place for me to know everything about everyone.
It was time for a change. A new season.
So, over a series of days I went through and un-followed almost everyone except for the two remaining Lovelies who were still on Fb (L#2 deleted her account a while back, a decision I applaud her for). I also deleted the Fb app from my phone so I would have a second layer of insulation; kind of a way of challenging myself.
I have to say, the first few days were weird; my now-limited knowledge of what was going on in everyone else's life was quite different and made my "inner-world" much quieter, something I hadn't had for a looooong time --I mean I have been on Facebook since 2007 --eons of time in the Social Media World. I wasn't sure how to react.
But as time went on, I noticed something interesting. I actually paid attention to the outside world more, because I had to --I didn't know everything in advance. And the bonus of not knowing everything ahead of time from Fb gave me REAL conversation time with people when seeing them in-person! I didn't already know that so-and-so had gone to such-and-such which usually means just getting the highlights of a previously known situation.
Assessment: Pretty Cool.
So this has been my experiment for most of the Fall. It's been refreshing and I really have gotten used to the quiet. I have still gotten on Fb somewhat, but I only see what Lovely #1 and #3 post, along with a couple of Bible-related or hobby-related sites. I rarely commented unless I was tagged in something, because I didn't think it was fair of me --what right did I have to post a lot of opinions (and y'all know I normally did!) if I didn't afford that same space to others in my viewing?
But........the holidays are here (can you hear my whininess here? haha) I miss reading about the latest Thanksgiving trends, seeing holiday decorations, and knowing about any interesting places to visit during the Christmas season. So, today I have UN-unfollowed people once again :)
I will continue to keep the app off my phone --I have enjoyed the freedom and the challenge of looking outward instead of the easy inward pull. But, I will now also look forward to spending time reading about everyone's holiday preps and plans.
Will I stop again come January? I'm not sure. This experiment was a success and I feel like Galadriel in Lord of the Rings when she passes the test given to her: "I will diminish and go into the West and remain Galadriel" I feel like I have met the challenge and Fb no longer has the hold on me it once had.
I now throw down the gauntlet and would love to hear anyone else's journey.
And let the holidays begin! --Oh my gosh, wait what??--it's only HOW many days until Thanksgiving?? Where have I been, under a rock?
It was time for a change. A new season.
So, over a series of days I went through and un-followed almost everyone except for the two remaining Lovelies who were still on Fb (L#2 deleted her account a while back, a decision I applaud her for). I also deleted the Fb app from my phone so I would have a second layer of insulation; kind of a way of challenging myself.
I have to say, the first few days were weird; my now-limited knowledge of what was going on in everyone else's life was quite different and made my "inner-world" much quieter, something I hadn't had for a looooong time --I mean I have been on Facebook since 2007 --eons of time in the Social Media World. I wasn't sure how to react.
But as time went on, I noticed something interesting. I actually paid attention to the outside world more, because I had to --I didn't know everything in advance. And the bonus of not knowing everything ahead of time from Fb gave me REAL conversation time with people when seeing them in-person! I didn't already know that so-and-so had gone to such-and-such which usually means just getting the highlights of a previously known situation.
Assessment: Pretty Cool.
So this has been my experiment for most of the Fall. It's been refreshing and I really have gotten used to the quiet. I have still gotten on Fb somewhat, but I only see what Lovely #1 and #3 post, along with a couple of Bible-related or hobby-related sites. I rarely commented unless I was tagged in something, because I didn't think it was fair of me --what right did I have to post a lot of opinions (and y'all know I normally did!) if I didn't afford that same space to others in my viewing?
But........the holidays are here (can you hear my whininess here? haha) I miss reading about the latest Thanksgiving trends, seeing holiday decorations, and knowing about any interesting places to visit during the Christmas season. So, today I have UN-unfollowed people once again :)
I will continue to keep the app off my phone --I have enjoyed the freedom and the challenge of looking outward instead of the easy inward pull. But, I will now also look forward to spending time reading about everyone's holiday preps and plans.
Will I stop again come January? I'm not sure. This experiment was a success and I feel like Galadriel in Lord of the Rings when she passes the test given to her: "I will diminish and go into the West and remain Galadriel" I feel like I have met the challenge and Fb no longer has the hold on me it once had.
I now throw down the gauntlet and would love to hear anyone else's journey.
And let the holidays begin! --Oh my gosh, wait what??--it's only HOW many days until Thanksgiving?? Where have I been, under a rock?
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