If it’s Tuesday, and we utilized a wacky title, it must me another “Let’s Blog Off” post, right? Well you would be correct, and who could resist this one – “Do social sites like Facebook connect the world or isolate them?” As always, we will have a listing of the participating blogs at the end, or you may also follow the links above to see who else has joined in the fray.
As you may have noticed from prior Blog Off’s by all the great wordsmiths that participate, sometimes a few of them will take off on a very different tangent. Well in this case, I think I am going to join them. In this case, one particular line struck a chord with me – “If you listen to the chorus of talking heads, online activity is ruining human interaction and social sites are the province of the self-aggrandizing and the desperate.”
Really?
Facebook, aka a simple (but not yet so simple) website that is simply comprised of a bunch of 1’s and 0’s aka bits & byte’s has the power to bring down society? My god man, it sounds like we should just shut it down & throw all those responsible in jail. Maybe if we did that, all those poor lost souls will magically be granted those missing and damaged social skills & all will be well…
The new Blue Suede Shoes:
Blue Suede Shoes, Heavy Metal, Video Games, Television, and even the Telegraph all have something in common – yep, they have all been blamed for society’s problems or at least a good portion of them. It is ok, you can admit it – I have people tell me that the music I was listening to when I was younger was the work of the devil & the cause of today’s problems and I am sure you have heard something similar. The funniest part as I was talking to one of these individuals once and listening to how his parents when on & on about Rock & Roll, especially Elvis, and them Blue Suede Shoes. I personally think the irony was lost on him, but I never forgot that conversation and liken this argument as this year’s new blue suede shoes.
The Reality:
Just like the Telegraph, the PC, the Television, and the Internet, Facebook has majorally changed the landscape and how the world is viewed. Now granted all of these items and many more have had some negative impacts, but is it really the fault of the technology or the guy that has his head down updating his Facebook page when he steps out into traffic? Can we really blame the actual TV, newspaper, or other venues for the “reporters” or “bloggers” spewing out their so-called news or analysis? Ah hell, who knows maybe someone can create an app for personal responsibility, and maybe some common sense… Hey, one can hope, right?
As for that picture, well let’s call it a subtle reminder – just because some one “friends” you or “likes” something, doesn’t really make them your friend. If you would like to friend me, well I am sorry but you will have to follow me on Twitter, Linked In, the HTRC, or on any of numerous forums I particpate on as I really don’t like Facebook’s policies or have the time. Speaking of time, if you happen to have some, you might want to check out some of the other excellent posts in this weeks LetsBlogOff.
Paul Anater’s Kitchen and Residential Design
Bob Borson’s Life of an Architect
Veronika Miller’s Modenus
Becky Shankle’s Eco Modernism
Rufus Dogg’s Dog Walk Blog
Cheryl Kees Clendon’s Details and Design
Chamois Green’s Cham was here
Jane Frederick’s Low Country Architect
Nick Lovelady’s Cupboards Kitchen & Bath
Saxon Henry’s Roaming by Design
Amy Good’s Thoughts of a Splinter Girl
Steve Mouzon The Original Green
Ami’s Multifarious Miscellany
Denese Botrell Thoughtful Content
Hollie Holcombe Green Rascal Design
Every generation has its “blue suede shoes” that will destroy them. In 20 years, I wonder what us old geezers will be complaining about our grandkids using the communication tools of the good ol’ days… y’know, Twitter and Facebook 🙂
Sean,
I like the angle you took with the Blue Suede Shoes. I have no doubt that just like heavy metal and video games, society will move onto the next destroyer of all things good and civil once it pops onto our cultural landscape. It’s all in how you use the tool, not the tool itself. That and finding some balance – which is always the tricky thing yeah? Finding balance required constant adjustments which infers attention and adjustment.
We are just learning how to pay attention and adjust to this new tool so everyone should taps the brakes a little, everything is going to be all right.
I’ve learned that I’ve officially become an adult when I used the sentence, “Kids these days and their *insert issue du jour*!”
Great post, Sean.
Great post – I think the only thing I have to comment is simply to restate your words: “Ah hell, who knows maybe someone can create an app for personal responsibility, and maybe some common sense… Het, one can hope, right?” Here, here!
LOL, so much for my spell checker & proof reading skills…
Thanks for your comments, I really enjoyed your post and everyone else who contributed this week
If I had to guess, I would say it will probably be VR glasses that allows one to take classes, attend assemblies, etc… while they are at home – ahh the potential trouble that could cause : )
Thanks Nick – that one & back in my day…
Tricky it can be… Nice post especially with those emails, I think between your post & Paul’s it truly does show how the world is made better with this technology
I’m not finished read this yet, but it’s so fabulous ‘n I’ll back again when I was finished my job 😀
Every generation has its “blue suede shoes” that will destroy them. In 20 years, I wonder what us old geezers will be complaining about our grandkids using the communication tools of the good ol’ days… y’know, Twitter and Facebook 🙂
Sean,
I like the angle you took with the Blue Suede Shoes. I have no doubt that just like heavy metal and video games, society will move onto the next destroyer of all things good and civil once it pops onto our cultural landscape. It’s all in how you use the tool, not the tool itself. That and finding some balance – which is always the tricky thing yeah? Finding balance required constant adjustments which infers attention and adjustment.
We are just learning how to pay attention and adjust to this new tool so everyone should taps the brakes a little, everything is going to be all right.
I’ve learned that I’ve officially become an adult when I used the sentence, “Kids these days and their *insert issue du jour*!”
Great post, Sean.
I’m not finished read this yet, but it’s so fabulous ‘n I’ll back again when I was finished my job 😀
Tricky it can be… Nice post especially with those emails, I think between your post & Paul’s it truly does show how the world is made better with this technology
Thanks Nick – that one & back in my day…
If I had to guess, I would say it will probably be VR glasses that allows one to take classes, attend assemblies, etc… while they are at home – ahh the potential trouble that could cause : )
Great post – I think the only thing I have to comment is simply to restate your words: “Ah hell, who knows maybe someone can create an app for personal responsibility, and maybe some common sense… Het, one can hope, right?” Here, here!
LOL, so much for my spell checker & proof reading skills…
Thanks for your comments, I really enjoyed your post and everyone else who contributed this week