Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.
Think about this statement. Are these people, these Facebook friends, really in our lives?
The way to show that you care, in our contemporary society, is now communicated through the Internet. I feel close to someone because they’re my friend on Facebook. I know what’s happening in their life because they posted pictures from a recent trip. I update my status and suddenly feel more connected to my social circle.
But I think it’s really just creating more distance. It gives me the feeling that I’m staying in touch, but I’m not really in touch at all.
I moved away from my closest friends years ago and I’ve largely relied on Facebook to feel less distanced. But it’s not working anymore. Suddenly it all feels so trivial. Suddenly I can acknowledge how much time I spend “connecting and sharing with the people in my life.” But these people aren’t in my life.
Social networking has its perks, but I’m beginning to see it as the demise of true relationships. And it represents a larger trend—the Internet has so much potential. We’re exposed to so much more. Opportunities seem to have multiplied. But what are the results?
Perhaps the Internet has contributed to today’s sense of apathy. Perhaps the Internet has made it easier for people to not march in the streets, physically protesting. Why protest when you can just add your name to an email petition and hit the forward button? Why call your friend on their birthday when you can just send them a Facebook cake?
We can’t rely on social networking as a constitution for friendship. We can’t all sit behind our monitors, clicking away, and fool ourselves into believing we’re truly connected. We must learn to balance the opportunity and convenience of the Internet with real action.
Where do we begin?
Since I began this blog, it has been many things: a journal, a creative outlet, an offering of reviews, a place for sociopolitical commentary and reflections. After some time off, I have decided to return to a semi-regular schedule of posting, with a new outlook — I cannot define exactly what this will be, but it will pertain to the questions I am asking myself and the way I explore my place in the world.
I’ve also decided to adjust my comment policy. I welcome discussion and response to any post, I look forward to it, but if your comment does not specifically pertain to the subject matter, I will probably not approve it.
If you’re interested in contacting me privately to discuss this new policy, or any post, the Contact form is the best way to reach me.
I’ll be back at some indeterminable time.
I will not worry about the number of page views.
I will not worry about the number of comments.
I will not worry about the number of subscribers.
I will not worry about the number of page views.
I will not worry about the number of comments.
I will not worry about the number of subscribers.
I will not worry about the number of page views.
I will not worry about the number of comments.
I will not worry about the number of subscribers.
After struggling to switch hosts all week long (I’m a Netfirms girl now, thanks to Kyla Roma), I have finally relocated. ::Cue the Sigh of Relief::
One piece of advice for those who have self-hosted blogs, or those who are interested in going self-hosted: Dreamhost, while popular and seemingly efficient, does not have a customer support phone number. Keep this in mind if you’re considering their services — it can really be a downer.
Fortunately, everything seems to be in its right place here at the a.r.w. You may have to adjust your feed, if you’re subscribed in a reader.
And hey, if you’re not subscribed, quick! Click here and get instantaneous updates from …the almost right word!
Feel free to let me know if you happen upon any broken or misplaced links.
Thanks for your patience.
