Archive for October, 2011
Reflection #2
0Blackout Social Networking Article
1. Without having experienced a social media withdrawal, how can you imagine it would it affect your daily routine?
I would feel out of the loop. I use social networking, mainly facebook, to keep in contact with my friends, find out what people are doing, and share what I’m doing. There are other ways to communicate for sure, but without social networking it would be more awkward. I imagine I would get about the same amount of things done. I use facebook when I’m bored. If not facebook, then something else like stumbleupon.
2. Once you have answered 1 above, complete a self-imposed “unplugging” from one or more social networks that you typically use. Fully dis-engage from your iPhone, Facebook, Twitter or other social tool. How long were you able to stay unplugged? What was easiest/hardest about disengaging? What did you learn in the process?
DAY 1:
It is my first 12 hours of being unplugged from Facebook. It’s hard because it seems so second nature to check it. Before going to bed, or when I get up in the morning it’s the same process each time; open email, check the weather, check Facebook. I wouldn’t say that I NEED to check Facebook, but it feels like I know that I have messages waiting for me, people trying to get in contact with me. I suppose if I needed to I could always send them an email. I know I’ll have to cheat a little this week, two of my classes use Facebook for discussion. I’m going to try and not let that be an excuse. It’s still pretty hard. I figured in the last 12 hours I would have been on Facebook maybe an hour total; like 4 or 5 times checking it just for ten to fifteen minutes. I don’t know which I feel worse about, that I can’t check it out (even though in reality nothing has probably changed online) or that I can’t go about my normal day without checking in online.
DAY 2:
First full day done, and another just started. It has been tough not being active on Facebook only because I know I have messages from friends waiting for me. It’s hard when you become so reliant on something to give it up. It would be like if someone didn’t email or text for a week; especially if you know that you are receiving emails and texts. It highlights how interconnected we are and how much the world has changed. 20-30 years ago few people had cell phone, there wasn’t texting, and the internet wasn’t in the palm of your hand. If you didn’t hear from someone for a while that was ok, because the access to people was smaller. Today, it’s still ok that you don’t hear from a person but at least you’ll know immediately.The access and speed is really bothering me.
However, the reality is probably that not much has gone on in my digital world in 36 hours.
DAY 3:
Finally broke the blackout. Checked Facebook last night. As I assumed nothing new in my digital world had drastically changed; just a few messages from my friends. That being said, it was quite the experience of not having Facebook. Unfortunately most of my time that would have been spent on Facebook was spent in boredom wondering about what was happening on Facebook. I have learned a lesson through this: moderation. Some of the down time that I normally spend on Facebook didn’t necessarily go to more productive things. I spent the most part of my extra time on StumbleUpon. Which I suppose is kind of productive given that my interest include things about current events, politics, technology, etc. So the time that I would have used socializing was spent instead gaining knowledge. However, during this I noticed for example, that when I found a really interesting website I wanted to share it, obviously via Facebook.
3. What alternatives to completely unplugging might be good suggestions for your peers as they learn to balance social engagement in online and real-world environments?
I would ask how imbalanced the engagement is between their real world and digital world? Even through this ephemeral experiment I still praise the value that Facebook has evolved to in society. It provides another public sphere of discourse that is easily readable to a much larger population. That being said, moderation of anything including Facebook is essential to a balanced life. I would recommend designating time away from all digital interactions. For example, staying connected via Facebook, Blackboard, or email is essential during the busy school week in order to stay up to date with friends, professors, and current events. From my personal life I can recommend disconnect when it is not necessary to be constantly informed. In my circumstances, my last classes are done on Thursday. I tend to only check email in the morning and nights from Thursday to Sunday and Facebook only when I know I’ll need to get in contact with someone that I would rather not call or text. A disclaimer however; I don’t have a Blackberry, iPhone, or Android. I imagine if I did have the Internet in the palm of my hand there would be two possibilities: 1) Social networking, email, and other forms of communication would become normalized to me, similar to text messaging. 2) The imbalance in my life between the digital world and real world be become even greater.
Can someone with a smartphone perhaps provide insight to how they deal with social networking and communication with constant access?
Amy- Reflection 2
01. Without having experienced a social media withdrawal, how can you imagine it would it affect your daily routine?
I have never purposefully experienced a social media withdrawl but sometimes it happens on accident. For example, when I have a very busy week I hardly ever check my social media (ie. Facebook). Not too long ago I even received an email from Facebook that said I hadn’t been on my account for a long time and that I have been missing what was going on with all of my friends. I am not a huge fan of social media so not having social media woudn’t really disrupt by day as much as not allow me a distraction from homework.
2. Once you have answered 1 above, complete a self-imposed “unplugging” from one or more social networks that you typically use. Fully dis-engage from your iPhone, Facebook, Twitter or other social tool. How long were you able to stay unplugged? What was easiest/hardest about disengaging? What did you learn in the process?
I tried to purposefully “unplug” but found it difficult. During the day is easy because I am so busy between classes, work, research and other activities. Night though is much harder because I need a break by the time I finally get back home and social media is a great way to take a mental break. I am able to go on Facebook and just see what the world is up to. The main reason I go on Facebook though is to prolong doing my homework. I honestly could deactivate my Facebook and be fine, it’s my email that I couldn’t live without. I learned that students use social media as an outlet from school work and a way to find out what’s happening with everyone. People may say that social media is causing less social interactions, which I strongly agree it is, but in other ways it promotes social interaction. For example by being on Facebook my roommates and myself were able to have a discussion about different things that we had seen on Facebook. People will say “did you see (insert cool fact) on Facebook?” Which then creates a conversation between people.
3. What alternatives to completely unplugging might be good suggestions for your peers as they learn to balance social engagement in online and real-world environments?
Stay busy and get involved! If you are busy you won’t feel compelled to constantly be checking your Facebook for updates. That being said I also would suggest not having Facebook updates be sent to your phone so that you don’t have an excuse to constantly be connected to Facebook. Students are always on their phones checking Facebook, email, or texting everywhere they go. Even just as simple as putting your phone in a bag instead of having it in your pocket will prevent the habit of constantly being on your phone. I think that social media is a good thing when used in moderation. I read a yahoo article a while ago that said that students are having a harder time interviewing because they are lacking proper social skills due to the increase in online social media and decrease in personal interaction.