No Social Media, No Thank You.

Posted on by

Believe it or not, I still know people who utilize no forms of social media. Now this “people” is a relatively small group of individuals, but they exist. Now because I’ve known those folks for years and years, I trust them.

But let’s say I’m out in these streets – because I’m usually out in these streets doing things that people out in these streets do – and I meet an individual lacking either a Facebook page, a Linkedin profile, Twitter or Instagram, and well, I’m throwing more shade than Oprah in 1995. Hmm…y’all know how people differentiate between Fat Luther and Skinny Luther as to which version made better music, has anybody ever done such a thing with regards to Oprah? I’m guessing no. But that would be a worthy project for a communications major.

Real talk. No R. Kelly.

Back to the lecture at hand. I’m not sure I’d fully trust anybody who attempted to leave no digital footprint short of their email accounts. It just makes me nervous, like you have something to hide. Now, the irony of this is how often people lie on the Internet. So while I don’t trust anybody who has no footprint, I also cannot trust what I see from the majority of folks who do.

Cognitive dissonance, thy name is Panama Jackson.

You know what else makes no sense, despite the fact that we all make so much information readily available, we still get freaked out when we find out people are taking a look at all of it. I remember many moons ago, a young lady I was seeing made it clear that she’d looked thru my FB page and then went thru all of the pictures of my sisters. While this is all completely legal, it seemed creepy and stalkerish. Now, as it turns out, I was more upset that she informed me that she was a stalker as opposed to her actual stalking. Some things you should keep to yourself, but as many of us know, when women are interested in you, they like to gain as much information as possible and in doing so tend to be extremely inquisitive about your life and everything in it. With that inquisitiveness comes a remarkable ability to remember details…while leaving keys in the refrigerator or a purse in the chimney.

I’m not so sure why men aren’t that way. I think when we like a woman we just like her as is, the details aren’t as important. Sure we like to know you aren’t a murderer but we assume that if we’re interested, the details are just extras. Men? We stupid.

Where was I? Oh yes, so despite all of this information being available, I’m leery of people who make it clear that they avail themselves of all accessible forms of social media. Instagram? They know what date you and time you posted that picture. Twitter, they’re reading that like a hawk. Facebook…well shut the front door.

Conversely more, you know what else I don’t quite understand? People with all of this social media sh*t and it’s all padlocked. Now, I get to some degree why its necessary to privatize your information. And for a vast many people, FB and Twitter is a way to communicate with people they’d not likely communicate with, so I suppose it makes sense to some degree. But it does seem like if you’re going to be apart of the community, just do it with open arms. Sure, I’ve had blog posts stolen and pictures jacked and I’m pretty sure…wait for it…

…Brick killed a guy.

(I haven’t done that in a while.)

But I’ve also met some great and terrible people online that my life wouldn’t be the same without; people I’d never have met if I locked myself off from the world. So if I meet you out and all of your sh*t is private, I’m also giving you the Panama Jackson Epic Side-Eye and assuming you’ve got something to hide. Either that or your tremendously boring. There’s no way somebody who is insanely entertaining is locking their profile. If you tell a joke and nobody is there to hear it, is it funny? Methinks not. So if you were interesting, there’s a good chance that your profile would be public so that others could validate your entertainingness. That’s the first commandment of blogging: Thou shalt be narcissistic.

Y’all think I do this for you? No, I do this for me so when I look in the mirror at night I can say, Pretty Petey, you did that. Not coincidentally…

…that’s what she said.

(Are you still reading and wondering what the hell just happened in the past 754 words? Mr. Me Too.)

The point is, even though you can’t trust anybody via social media, you definitely can’t trust anybody who isn’t up on social media. Unless that person still uses any of the following services that may or may not exist: MySpace, AOL, BlackPlanet anything, etc.

So what say you? How do you feel about folks without a social media presence online? Would you date or actively get to know somebody who informed you that they just don’t get down like that (I realize that’s a dumb question when stated like that…on the list of dealbreakers its an odd one…but would it make you suspicious in 2013?)? If you don’t involve yourself, even in Facebook, why not? What’s the 411, hon? You got it goin’ on? Yeah I got it goin’ on.

Talk to me. Petey.

-VSB P aka THE ARSONIST aka MR. INSTAGRAM THAT SH*T aka GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRL HE A 3

327 thoughts on “No Social Media, No Thank You.”

  2. I like social media because I like interacting with people. All I have is a Twitter (@SixHourErection), a Facebook, and a Myspace (which I haven’t touched in years).

    -

    The only time I’m on Twitter is when I’m bored, or there’s an award show/special event on. Because live Twitter commentary make EVERY show 1000x times better. Though I’ve met a lot of great people though Twitter, I’m really not on it like that. As for Facebook, well, I deactivated my account months ago, it’s just not my thing anymore. I only reactivated it recently, because my birthday was coming up and I wanted people to remember so they can buy me things/do stuff for me (I got Chipotles!). Now that my birthday’s past, I’m thinking about deactivating it again very soon.

    -

    I don’t really consider myself a blogger. I only follow like, 3 blogs and comment on one of them (this one).

    Reply ↓

  3. I think it’s refreshing to meet someone without a social media trace. Even the most rational person is not safe from becoming a stalker when they have their love interests social media details.

    I feel as if social media is ruining the mystery of getting to know someone.

    Reply ↓

    • ++++123456

      I have one good friend who doesn’t have FB acct. my true friends are not my FB friends.

      I am at the point where I don’t even have txt on my phone. You can’t call me then don’t contact me.

      When you start getting rid of these faux communication networks (ie txt, FB, onstage am, etc) that’s when you find out who are your real friends and real FAMILY!

      Reply ↓

  4. I openly admit that I’m not into social media. I have a very valid reason as to why it’s not my cup of tea- I’m almost 40 years old!!!! What in the absolute f*ck do I look like being on Twitter and Facebook and I’m nearing close to middle age- and soon retirement?
    -
    It’s practically the in-thing to do to be a part of social media, but it’s serves no purpose for me. Even when MySpace was the go-to site, I wasn’t interested in being a part of it.
    -
    From my end, social media does nothing more than give people access to your personal life- especially for those who went to school with you and want to connect with you. Connect deez!
    -
    If anyone wants to know how far my aversion to social media runs, I’ll put it to you this way. I didn’t have an e-mail address until 2009 and a cellphone until recently. That gives people a clear indication on where I stand with this issue.

    Reply ↓

    • +1
      I have never and still am not a huge fan of social media outlets in the form of FB, Twitter, MySpace, etc. I find it to be rather invasive, and voluntarily putting personal information in public domain for the world to see isn’t appealing in my opinion. Not so much having anything to hide, but complete strangers need not know intimate & personal things about me, what I eat, like, how I feel, etc.

      It is 100% narcissism. However, to each is own.

      Unfortunately, the way certain aspects of business is going these days, being proficient in social media will make you more marketable. This is based on the field of interest, i.e. marketing, media related roles, etc. Many positions require some knowledge of these outlets.

      Anyway, I’m a VSB regular so I guess that makes me a Social Mediamite. *kanye shrugs*

      Mr SoBo

      Reply ↓

      • “I find it to be rather invasive, and voluntarily putting personal information in public domain for the world to see isn’t appealing in my opinion. Not so much having anything to hide, but complete strangers need not know intimate & personal things about me, what I eat, like, how I feel, etc.”
        -
        I see people that do this on a regular basis and I can’t do anything but shake my head in utter disappointment.

        Reply ↓

        • It is part of the transition with technology though, and we are the technological generation. But people forget that when you gain something new, you lose something old.

          Reply ↓

      • “Unfortunately, the way certain aspects of business is going these days, being proficient in social media will make you more marketable. This is based on the field of interest, i.e. marketing, media related roles, etc. Many positions require some knowledge of these outlets.”

        I agree with you on this. It depends on how you use social media.

        Reply ↓

    • Wait…do you just mean you didn’t have a PERSONAL email address since ’09? Where were you working without an email address?

      Reply ↓

      • I’ve never had a personal e-mail address until about four years ago, but everywhere I worked had e-mail. All of them were shocked that I had no e-mail address to contact me.

        Reply ↓

    • See, I completely understand this, but i also completely disagree with it. I mean I understand if its not your cup of tea, but there are a lot of purposes for it. I mean, whats the point of going to a real networking event? Different people go for different reasons, but if I’m on one of those sites I may be talking to experts in different fields, or getting sports updates, or trying to advertise some of my work. But its more than giving people access to your personal life.

      Man really, you could make up your own personal life just for the social media as is generally the case at many dating sites.

      Reply ↓

      • I don’t blame you for the having a flip phone. I love having a smartphone but the price of having to pay the phone bill makes me want to go prepaid, lol.

        Reply ↓

        • I was told to get a smartphone, but I cringed at the possibility of the bill. Over a hundred dollars on the first payment- and 30 percent of it is the data plan that comes with the phone and goes up at any given moment? No thanks…I’ll pass…

          Reply ↓

          • Hmmm…never thought about that. I’m just not a huge fan of them. I’m a simple gal. Besides, I have a tendency to slam my phone against the wall when I’m mad, and a flip phone is perfect for that. They don’t damage easily lol

            Reply ↓

        • I had a simple phone and then it died I have a smartphone now…boohoo. It just didn’t make sense 2 replace it w/anything less…that said I’ve njoyd the helloutofit though. Yet w/all the tech advances, we r getting dumber & socially inept. I.e. ‘I dated her 4 3 yrs, but never met her, even when she was dying’ really?!?!

          Reply ↓

  5. I do not have a FB page, twitter account, linkedin profile or anything other type of social media page. I am not weird or boring and I’m not trying to hide anything. I just don’t possess the amount of narcissism that is required (IMHO) to be apart of social media. I attempted to join FB two years ago and I honestly didn’t understand what the big deal was so I deleted my page. I’m 32 years old for the people who may be curious. I wouldn’t call myself old fashioned; I’m not just not caught up in the instant gratification phase.

    Reply ↓

  6. Interesting. I don’t have a Facebook account, and I read somewhere that some employers side eye people without them because they feel like they have something to hide (I do have a LinkedIn profile, which I would think would be most relevant to employers)

    My main reasons for not doing Facebook is not wanting people all in my business, and not wanting (for example) my new co-worker trying to friend me and being all awkward about not accepting it. And I don’t want to get pulled into my friends’ Facebook fights. But yeah, when people not eligible for the AARP say they don’t so ANYTHING…well, now I know who believes Manti Te’o

    Reply ↓

    • Facebook fights are the most ridiculous thing ever in the history of mankind. Lol I love seeing them. They’re just so stupid. They’re like grade school fights.

      Reply ↓

      • I admit when I use to be on facebook I was involved in a couple of arguments. It was all due to a general discussion and someone thought the status was about them and got offended.

        Reply ↓

    • There’s nothing funnier than people e-thugging on FB with their passive aggressive threats, completely forgetting the fact that the only way the enemy can contact them is through the fact that THEY ARE FB FRIENDS…block a bytch! The hell is the problem?
      _

      Know good and gotdamn well they won’t say any of that stuff in person, but need to say it online for 30 Likes to feel validated. Ugh

      Reply ↓

        • But you know what? That’s some sucker shyte. Because you have to know a person on FB for them to see whatever you type, and clearly all that information can be said either in person, or on the phone, but people got to puff their chest out for the whole world to see.
          -
          A girl here at the projects I work at got stabbed because she was talking sideways about some chick not knowing she was banging her man. Another chick damn near got battery acid thrown in her face for getting greasy on FB instead of doing it at school.

          Reply ↓

  7. Also, I don’t have a problem with people stalking my Twitter or Facebook page. The only time I got really annoyed was when my most recent ex (who dumped me, by the way), after I asked her how she knew so much about my recent life, blantantly told me that she has her friends stalk my FB page (because I deleted her as a friend and blocked her) and report back to her all the sh*t I say in my statuses, and who I’m posing with in my pictures (if I’m in the pic with a female). That sh*t sent me up the wall.

    -

    But other than that, if you’re stalking my tweets because you need a laugh/epiphany, or stalking my FB out of genuine curiosity, that’s fine.

    Reply ↓

    • Th creepiest thing that just happened to me on FB: I updated my status. The next I had 45 responses on my page the next day. I clicked to see what kind of responses and about 20 of them were from a girl I went to high school who literally went through all my pictures and “liked” them. Who does that? And the pictures were 3-4years old. And it had nothing to do with the status update. I think she saw my status and thought “Hey, she has an update. hmmm I have FB stalked her in awhile!”

      Reply ↓

  8. I have a good number of friends that don’t have social media accounts or got out of the game within the last few years. Why? Because the academic powers that be check up on everybody like voicing our opinion is a crime.

    Soooo… that being said, all my stuff is private and unsearchable. Of course, as FB and things keep changing, “private” is relative.

    I was reminded of this when a friend of a friend messaged me on FB and tried to talk to me. Said he knew I was thick bc he looked thru ALLLLLLLLLL my pics. -__- He could have left that part out (besides the fact I’m not interested). It kinda scared me that

    I’m not bothered by people who don’t have social media accounts just bc I will probably have to delete mine at some point, but they don’t need to be adamant about it. It’s a thou doth protest too much situation and there’s usually a story there.

    PS Watching Catfish would not be nearly as funny without simultaneous Twitter comments.

    Reply ↓

    • I find it sincerely creepy that people take the time out of their day to look through someone’s whole photo gallery, as if somehow they get to know you every crevice that way. Ugh.

      Reply ↓

    • ” Because the academic powers that be check up on everybody like voicing our opinion is a crime”

      Yup! When I was applying to PhD programs 4 years ago, I changed my name on FB to something that I knew they would never deduce was me. I took my best friend’s last name, combined it with a last name I felt was pretty and meshed well with her last name, and was that person until I got my final rejection letter. Yes, paranoid, I know, but here in the USA, if you express any anti-Israel opinion you are blacklisted and deemed an anti-semite and that ruins your chances.

      Reply ↓

  9. Shit,i only have an e mail address because need it. I dont do facebook,twiiter or any social media. If i want drama thats what VSB is for,iceprincess be pushing her boobs everywhere

    Reply ↓

  10. I have been off Facebook for well over a year, never had an Instagram or Twitter, and I’m lovin’ it. This is coming from a person who would many a time, involuntarily go to her Facebook page as well as beg her friends who would take their Facebook hiatuses, to come back. I decided to take a serious break from Facebook for several reasons, one being that I felt it was becoming unnecessary noise in my life. OMG, what profile picture should I choose? What is everyone and their mother doing in life? What should my status be? And of course, everyone wants to be a Facebook politician, typing ridiculousness from their keyboards and acting on nothing. Everything about social media is one big “look at me.” Quotes from a book I am currently reading, “It can be just another place, not to be, but to seem.”….”Facebook is less about looking up friends than it is about looking at friends.” Basically, I’m trying to focus on me, my real friends, with whom I have no problem keeping in touch, and keep it moving. That isn’t to say I won’t be back, though *side eye to self But wait, though, I really don’t get the point of Instagram…

    Reply ↓

    • Well said. FB can be psychologically controlling as well as other social networks and the Internet in general. I find myself going on the Internet, closing it, then going right back on the Internet again even though I was just on there.
      ……
      And I also don’t see the point of instagram or pinterest or tumblr.

      Reply ↓

    • I never knew it got that bad for people. I actually can’t understand how it could get that bad, but anything can seem addictive if you add the right elements. Glad you caught wind of the problem before it was too late.
      -
      I can’t see myself being that attached to FB. I go on everyday but only to check messages and look at funny pics, which is all of about 5-10 minutes of my time, and then I’m done. But I do see people literally stuck on the site for hours at a time.

      Reply ↓

      • Yeah, that makes sense. They say it’s women who get more caught up in the whole looking “at” people’s profiles and whatnot. Not to generalize or anything haha

        Reply ↓

  11. All I can think of is MTV CATFISH and that Virtual Insanity song
    anywhoo I remember life before the internet and cell phones and social media, but most people in my age bracket have this urge to document everything (good/bad/ugly). I like pictures but everyone I take isn’t on the web…it’s nice to have privacy makes the person mysterious and they have a JOB and stuff and that I don’t know every single detail of life without talking to them.

    Reply ↓

  12. i am one of those ‘people’ you speak of in your post, and I’m quite ok with being one of very few without a social media presence. I’m not into the culture of overshare that social media breeds, and I much prefer my friendships in ‘real life’. Plus, I never have to concern myself with the latest policy that any of these sites incorporate to use and sell any personal information… I’d call the aversion ‘smart’, and I frequently give the side eye to those who are so wrapped up in posting things up on social media sites, that they forget to ENJOY real life.

    Further, (and way scarier) I’m an HR manager… And the things that your social media postings, your likes and dislikes, etc can do to sway your potential to get a job (even if your page is ‘private’?) HUGE.

    Reply ↓

    • “Further, (and way scarier) I’m an HR manager… And the things that your social media postings, your likes and dislikes, etc can do to sway your potential to get a job (even if your page is ‘private’?) HUGE.”

      I understand this, and I remember contemplating this. But really, is it that serious. I remember when I used to read this site and a few others, but wouldn’t comment for “fear” of what potential employers would think. But really, (a) I think it depends on the employer because like some have said in the article and comments, others may be skeptical about you if you don’t have an online presence. And (b) its a part of enjoying life. I mean, some days I don’t feel like going out and meeting up with people. Like its snowing today, not too badly, but I remember back when we had a blizzard so bad that we couldn’t go outside for like a week. The fact that I could go on social media made it SOOOOO freakin much easier to get through that cause my roommate would have driven me crazy if not. Thats just one example and maybe I’m being elitist when I think this way but eff a job. There’s a line I’m not gonna cross just to get a job and if I can’t do what most would call “normal” activities and still keep a job, then its not a job worth having. Especially not for somebody as qualified as myself.

      Reply ↓

      • Agreed. Theres a fine line btw curiosity and inappropriate usage…I gave you my resume, cover letter, and we had an interview….be nosey and check my LinkedIn if you must….but taking a fine comb over what i do on social networks is a bit much. I wouldnt want to work for a company that didnt respect the business vs personal boundaries.

        I have a huge family, and Facebook really helps us keep in touch and up to date with family in other cities and countries….Twitter is like a virtual student center, where hilarious commentary happens, and I’ve made some precious friends on there as well, so I cant really knock it.

        Instagram helps me promote my business and show ppl my art process. It doesnt have to be narcissistic, Social media is really what YOU make of it.

        Ppl are bullied, harassed, and I’ve seen quite a few e-thugs fight in real life over social media…..but, Obama was elected the first time around thanks to these networks, so its a bit of a double edged sword IMO….

        Reply ↓

  13. Yeah, I knows a few folk who simply have a Facebook (and it took them years to get that). I have a Facebook, and I keep going back and forth as to whether I want to delete it or not (employers looking at your posts very high on the list).

    Reply ↓

    • You should delete it. Do you know how many folks lost their livelihoods over something they posted on Facebook? Last year, I read about a school principal who lost her job over posing in a bikini on her Facebook page.

      Reply ↓

      • Here in California they just passed a law making it illegal for employers to demand to see an employee’s fb or other social media accounts.

        Reply ↓

        • I never understood what’s the importance behind an employer wanting to investigate social media sites to find out about a potential employee. There is such a thing as asking their previous employer.

          Reply ↓

          • I can’t understand what the hell a person’s private life has to do with a job, noteably a shytty one. I could see if this had something to do with hiring a new CEO or senior partner of a firm…but an accountant? Really?

            Reply ↓

            • At first, it was credit checks. Then came the Facebook links. I predict the next step will be looking at your sexual history and family upbringing in order to qualify you. As much as I have a sense of humor, I have a funny feeling that the employers may want to take it there- just watch…

              Reply ↓

              • I’m with you. I seriously feel like they are at the point where they will go to your doctor’s office and start judging your placement based on how many visits and ailments you’ve had. It is way too invasive, their reasoning for doing it is stupid but people keep letting fear be the factor that wins rather than anger.

                Reply ↓

          • A lot of companies don’t do that anymore b/c they can get sued for asking your previous employer information, the previous employer won’t give out any information, or the person giving the information can be sued for being honest if you were a crappy employee.

            Posting things on social media that aren’t completely locked down shows a lack of discretion for personal/private information.

            Reply ↓

      • I read about a teacher in Georgia who lost her job because she had a picture with an alcoholic beverage. Not sloppy drunk or partying, just a group pic at a restaurant with drinks on the table

        Reply ↓

        • Yep, it’s all rediculous. When in doubt, don’t post I guess. It’s all so weird to me. It’s like a whole new world of servielance (sp?), but everybody is just ok with it. Does anybody take the time out to ponder the meaning of this sh*t? It’s right in your face, right in the name! World Wide WEB. InterNET. What are webs and nets made for?? Catching things/people.. Wake up, folks. It’s the New World Order. *sits back & waits for the illuminati crowd to go ham*

          Reply ↓

        • Yeah, I remember that one- it made the news for a little while.
          -
          A person I’m on good terms with had recently posted a rather disturbing message on Facebook. At the time, they were in the lead to get a great paying job and didn’t get a call back. Something tells me that the employer may have viewed that Facebook post.

          Reply ↓

  15. I have a facebook I rarely use and that’s enough social media for me. I have to admit when I meet a new guy I do check out his facebook and any other online profiles I can find i.e. arrest records. Hey is 2013 people are nuts so please don’t judge me.

    Reply ↓

  16. I dream about deleting all of my online social media accounts, my fb, blogs, everything! It’s all starting to feel like I’m just giving info away to the gubment and corporations. I want to be off the grid, Yo!

    Reply ↓

    • Yeah, I’m paranoid like that too… especially about Google. It’s kinda creepy how they basically FORCE you to link your YouTube account to Google. I refused for like a year but for that entire year EVERY time that I signed onto YouTube it would ask if I wanted to link the account… Me: NO! Google/Youtube: Are you sure….?? Eventually I caved. It still creeps me out though. As these tech companies continue to merge and more and more of our lives depend on digital media it will be inevitable that they will know practically every single thing about you. Brave New World/1984… IJS.

      Reply ↓

      • The worst part about Google is that if you want to delete one account, you’d have to delete all of them. I wanted to change my name on my YouTube account and I lost every bit of information I had because of the name change.

        Reply ↓

          • It was hell trying to gather all of the stuff I lost. When I opened my account under my new name, I didn’t bother trying to repost anything. It just took too much time and effort.

            Reply ↓

      • If you think youtube is bad, don’t try using their browser, Chrome. You can almost hear it sucking up info about you. And now google has the nerve to make a Chrome pc. Wtf! Google is the debil.

        Reply ↓

      • The scary part is the ease of how they wrap their fingers around our lives to the point that we don’t even see the things they steal from us as a big deal. This is how we all get screwed in the end, as simply as Orwell said.

        Reply ↓

        • “…to the point that we don’t even see the things they steal from us as a big deal.”

          -

          That’s what I don’t want, to just accept what they do.

          Reply ↓

          • And that is reasonable to feel. In my personal opinion, we are never as secure of our lives as we think. I feel like being a citizen period leaves you open to all types of surveillance that we have no clue about, but still we should at least be respect to take charge against it if we don’t want it. It’s one thing when it is the government, but for one tech company to do it?

            Reply ↓

      • this is the reason why ppl NEED to keep old outdated email addresses. my youtube, fb and internet shopping all use old email ie. aol and hotmail. those joints don’t connect to any.damn.thing..
        >
        i made the mistake of signing into spotify with my fb… that will never happen again, ppl knowing that i am listening to “I got that wet wet” isn’t good for my rep.
        >
        in closing all areas in which there can be any linking or sharing i will use one of my old outdated email addresses which i still have ALL of them aol, hotmail and yahoo, do my business, don’t link or combine anything and keep it moving!
        >
        Don’t let big brother win!!!!!!!!! Fight the power!!!!!!!!! Rage against the machine!!!!

        Reply ↓

        • “i made the mistake of signing into spotify with my fb… that will never happen again, ppl knowing that i am listening to “I got that wet wet” isn’t good for my rep.” -

          - *LMAO*

          Reply ↓

        • i made the mistake of signing into spotify with my fb… that will never happen again, ppl knowing that i am listening to “I got that wet wet” isn’t good for my rep.
          -
          Maaaaannnnnnnn, listen…
          -
          But yeah, Spotify (which I haven’t used in a minute) has my Facebook info, making it VERY hard to delete my page. Once I bring up Spotify, my Facebook comes back on with the quickness.

          Reply ↓

        • Due to our conversations, “I Got That Wet Wet” is the least of your concerns when your playlist consists of ; 504 Boyz – I Can Tell, Too Short f/ Lil Kim – Call Me, Akinelye – Put It In Your Mouth, & Leah – Suck My Pu-ss-ay.

          Yuuuuuuuuuup, that’s my girl.

          Reply ↓

      • I have an android phone and have a separate gmail only for that phone. I don’t want them synching up all my info. Also I hate the way Google and social media profile you. You might not even know it – I saw a TED Talk about in. Summary – speaker is a liberal, notices his conservative Facebook friends aren’t appearing in his feed, but he knows they didn’t unfollow en masse. Turns out FB only shows what you like. He then asked 2 friends to Google ‘Egypt’ and send a screen shot. One had the revolution (it had just started), one showed Pyramids.

        Google doesn’t really show what’s most popular, just what YOU like. So you could be missing out on a lot

        Reply ↓

        • Wow. Thats creepy ish right there, considering Im a Googlehead…my calendar, contacts, email, browser, errthang is Google…..

          I did notice that the ads on the side of pages are just replicas of sites I’ve already visited and things I’ve already looked up….but intentionally keeping information from me is just….too much.

          Cant win for losing.

          Reply ↓

          • yes, when you’re logged into Google they customize your experience. Companies pay quite a bit to make sure you see those ads after you visit their page. I believe it’s called “remarketing”.

            Reply ↓

        • That’s exactly what happened- Google started buying up everything. If you sign into Google, you automatically signed into not only Google, but YouTube, Blogger, Google Play, Google Maps, Google Drive- and God knows whatever else they own.

          Reply ↓

  17. I do use social media, but from a jaded stand point. I had AOL as far back as 98, and joined many small social websites like NYPeeps.com and so forth that kept a low crowd but great interaction. Then I was on Blackplanet super early, started Myspace when it first started, and on FB when it was nothing but rich Ivy League students being bored. So I saw everything begin with a bang and END HORRIBLY. What exists today is so out of focus of how many of these websites started and the intent they came with. I miss that genuine interaction I could have with someone on simple conversations (which is why I like VSB).
    -
    However…let’s be clear…most social media started for 1 reason…for people to find some long distance or short distance azz. Hence why people put their business out there. It was only with time and innovation that people realized you could adopt personas, be yourself, or sell yourself for a specific reason. So yea, I get what all of you are saying once you put those factors in.
    -
    But it was all about that nasty nasty first. As it always is in life.

    Reply ↓

  18. I dont do tha facebook thing cause you end up friending all we ppl you didnt like in high/middle school (theres a reason we aint talked in years…).

    plus, i’ve heard to many horror stories…(e-stalking, e-cheating, nude skype vids) and id rather do my dirt in real life.

    Reply ↓

    • You don’t have to friend not one damn person. That’s the funny part. People just guilt trip themselves into it.
      -
      I do seriously miss the days of Yahoo! chat and the glorious amounts of nudes and webcam shows I used to get back in the day. They don’t make attention who-res like they used to. It was like Freaknik but for the Internet

      Reply ↓

    • “I dont do tha facebook thing cause you end up friending all we ppl you didnt like in high/middle school (theres a reason we aint talked in years…).”
      -
      Shout out to the class of 1993 at Southside High School. Have fun at the 20th anniversary reunion. Bastards, LMAO!!!

      Reply ↓

    • @kid video I know! I remember when FB started really poppin off, people from my HS who never spoke to me started adding me and I’m like “why? we weren’t friends!” What’s the point of all that?

      Reply ↓

  19. i never even thought about it being strange if someone doesn’t have social media presence.. hmmm i guess because my presence is pretty slim. something about me gotta be small right… i do have fb but i am not a very post-y person and i refuse to get on any other.i mainly use it to be nosy, post pics of myself and of course keep in touch with friends and family. twitter, instagram, linkin etc just seem like a lot of work and rambling. i barely wanna hear what is on my own mind most of the time much less other peoples.
    .
    i think i am the only person that likes fb, mine is super private, not searchable by my name or email address (except when i opened it up for vsb peeps) and ONLY friends can see my pics not friends of friends which is ironic because i will look through every single pic of every person i can on fb… oh well get your settings up bruh

    Reply ↓

    • When people say they’re not on Facebook I do find myself thinking “how do you keep in touch with people?” LOL
      .
      I also enjoy flipping through people pictures, especially my numerous cousins who I rarely see. They’re growing up; it’s interesting to see them acting so grown. I assume folks are looking through mine too

      Reply ↓

  20. lol @ how if youre a beautiful person with a matching personality youre a liar, but if no one has complete and utter access to you youre untrustworthy. lose lose.

    in college i did the social networking/drinking/smoking/shenanigans thing. after college it was all business. i dont have a digital footprint because all of my business dealings were based on a somewhat treasonous idea one person could rule the world. im practically a ghost and even the people i work with are contracted to not know me. does black widow have a facebook? no. because shes cool.

    since ive hit my ‘this isnt fun anymore’ stride i still dont plan to be on my social steez because it is my nature to be extremely withdrawn and isolated when im going through isht. its healthier to be around folk and force myself to be social but to me that means those real, real conversations. and if youre interested you need to know the behind the scenes reality. *i* dont care about your instagrammed starbucks and struggle meals. what is your credit score? tell me your life story. and dating? let me be crystal clear im too f*cked up.

    its like, i was once cutting something with some heavy duty scissors and i clearly was doing it wrong so that i could get the leverage/strength to cut. and i completely took a chunk out of my finger. now. the person with me knew i was f*cked up because i was gushing blood all over the carpet but that doesnt mean im gonna stick my finger in his face….because half my finger is gone.

    maybe you just need to get the first aid kit, a needle and thread, and walk away. like, ill tell you and isht but….dont touch it.

    and thats how i feel. like. let you not expect a drop dead gorgeous skype session or a whole 831 beautiful photos of a happy, healthy girl. let you accept being interested in me is practically like searching for a car and passing aaaaaall the new car dealerships just to purchase a battered, dented, completely totaled shell of a car but making it one of those mach5, my car can do anything show pieces. i probably sound interesting, but…look…let the other shoe drop.

    Reply ↓

  21. I’m on FB. I remember a friend asking if I had an account and I was like “what’s FB?” She then proceeded to create an account for me. That was a while ago. My account is as locked down as I can make it. Only recently have i made it ok for you to search and find me. in the past, you had to be a friend of a friend to send a friend request to me. The only people that I am friends on fb with are those I know now and some from undergrad, grad, and very few from high school. I actually do a FB sweep once a year to delete people. If I haven’t spoken to you in a year, you will get deleted. This accounts for me having as low of a friend count that I can make it without having a FB page be irrelevant.. I also google myself from time to time to make sure there is as limited information about me out there as possible.

    Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn are sites that I don’t have nor use. Don’t understand the point.

    Blogs, I read 3-4, only comment on 3 (one of the blogs is very small but some of the best and most personal writing i have read on the net) and even thought about cutting that down and just going into lurkedom.

    What people don’t understand is that we ALL have a digital footprint. There’s no getting away from it. I read an article about a guy that tried to go footprint less for a month and asked his followers to catch him. Lets just say he went through heck not to be found (deleted all accounts, no ATM usage, no computer usage, etc.) and they still found his behind.

    I have friends that don’t participate in any social media and most, if they do participate, only use FB. Social media isn’t a big part of my life nor does it seem to be of most of the people I hang out with so dating someone that isn’t engaged in social media is more than fine by me.

    I actually am more troubled by those who have their entire lives online than those that don’t. That just screams “give me attention!!!!!!” I couldn’t date someone that was a heavy social media user. You are inadvertently inviting other people into your life and that doesn’t sit well with me.

    Reply ↓

  22. Social media is a double edged sword. I side eye folks who claim that they’re above the social network influence and don’t believe it to be a vehicle for personal upward mobility or just plain old fun. Social networks make any Duke “fall from #1 seed” (again) that much sweeter as it is shared with millions of other Any Team But Duke fans. I have nothing to contribute today aside from the overwhelming feeling of joy from the Duke massacre. Go Heels.

    Reply ↓

      • Ehhh I’ll wait til March to give then their just dues. Everything you do up until March doesn’t matter if you stink up the Tourney…..case in point, Duke being toppled by Lehigh last year.

        Reply ↓

  23. Took me 4 yrs to get on FB. Didn’t see any need for it or necessarily want strangers all in my mixture. But once I got on I realize it’s an excellent tool to keep in touch with family and friends…especially being across the globe.
    –
    I absolutely hate twittah and see no point to it. I only created an account to see what the fuss was about…still don’t get it.
    Guess I just don’t see the point of constantly caring what people (mostly celebs) are saying who don’t know you or could care less if you exist.
    –
    Never been on instagram and don’t do Linkedin. Too many outlets to keep up with in my opinion. Back to FB though, if it wasn’t for family, I wouldn’t have an account. I struggle all the time with whether I should shut it down cause I worry about personal info.
    –
    Then I realize…it’s pointless. they have all my info any way.
    If you don’t think Zukerberg and the CEO’s of google aren’t in bed with the govt and their big brother program….then my online Hawaiian gf with cancer would like to sell you swamp land in California. If u know me, you know I don’t trust the govt…even though I’ve worked for them in some form or fashion for almost 20 yrs. Working from the inside will do that to ya.

    Has anyone seen this “satire” piece about FB?
    –
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sThcwmx3rs
    –
    I wouldn’t completely dismiss it as parody.

    Reply ↓

    • Thats my main use of Facebook- seeing whats going on with family and friends from school. Seeing everybody grow up- post pics of their kids that look exactly like them! I tune out the fake beef, inspirational quotes and soft pr0n.

      Reply ↓

    • I think I might be the only person who liked Twitter over Facebook. Maybe it’s because when I joined Twitter last year I was wiser about social networking lol

      Reply ↓

  24. Tha way i feel about social media is the same way i feel about tattoos…ppl who dont have them (or very few) will be the new cool ppl.

    Discipline can be sexy.

    This could just be generational.

    Reply ↓

  25. Kind of an aside: if you have an anonymous blog. social media account, etc, but you created it under your primary email address, it will come up if I Google your email address. So create a new email for you e-dirt

    Reply ↓

    • Precisely what I did….the email address on my resume is completely diff from my “regular” email addy…and my social networks have a separate dedicated email altogether….

      When I was a social worker, my clients (14-19yrs old) would search my name on FB and find me….I changed that with the quickness too….now I have a nickname up there….Its crazy the hoops we jump thru to keep a level of privacy these days

      Reply ↓

  26. Randomness alert: hey peej, isn’t this around the time you lost your bff/ play brother a couple years ago? Know that he is monitoring your progress, and he is so proud. *tupac “life goes on” plays in the background*

    Reply ↓

  28. What’s worse to me is the people that have social media accounts, but don’t use them except for any purpose other than stalking. Like, if there’s a conversation going on on my facebook wall, feel free to join in. You don’t have to wait til you see me again and be like “I saw you talking to that girl on facebook”. I’m like I know you did. The whole freaking world knows. You’re welcome to join in too. I mean, what’s the point of telling me something like that?

    Reply ↓

    • “What’s worse to me is the people that have social media accounts, but don’t use them except for any purpose other than stalking.”

      YUP! Yet another reason why I got off FB for good.

      Reply ↓

  29. I’ll add that I do have friends that (for different reasons) have avoided having an online presence, or at least a social media presence. And while I understand this, I’ve gotta say that it makes communication so much harder. Its like, if there’s a funny news story, I’m probably gonna post it on facebook or twitter. Thats how I share stuff today. So if my girl is not on social media then she doesn’t know about this stuff or the back and forth that we had discussing it, or the jokes I made etc. So she’s missing out on a part of my life. Likewise when we’re sitting alone in the room not doing anything and I’m sitting there laughing at the updates on my phone and she’s wondering whats going on. It makes me feel bad for her.

    Reply ↓

  30. I’m not active on social media for pretty much one reason – I’m boring. And unless you’re leading a life full of non-stop adventure, you’re boring too (sorry). I have no desire to share what I’ve eaten, my semi-amusing thoughts on the latest episode of Love and Hip Hop, pretentious quotes I’ve found on the Internet, or a million pictures of my child. And honestly, I have little desire to see this stuff from you either… except maybe the pictures of your kid. I do love me some baby pictures.

    .

    Also, I have a theory. Some people who are on social media find it easier to take advantage of those who aren’t. For example, I was e-mailing/texting/flirting with this guy. Turns out he has a girlfriend of 6 years that he conveniently forgot to mention. I believe that he thought he was in the clear because I told him that I wasn’t on Facebook/Twitter. Guess he was wrong.

    Reply ↓

    • I’m not active on social media for pretty much one reason – I’m boring. And unless you’re leading a life full of non-stop adventure, you’re boring too (sorry). I have no desire to share what I’ve eaten, my semi-amusing thoughts on the latest episode of Love and Hip Hop, pretentious quotes I’ve found on the Internet, or a million pictures of my child. And honestly, I have little desire to see this stuff from you either… except maybe the pictures of your kid. I do love me some baby pictures.

      Welp, if you know me, my life isn’t as boring. Though you are right about baby pictures. I think like 40% of my all-time FB likes are pictures of my daughter. LOL

      Reply ↓

        • Hey, I wish those days in 2006 where I lived a quiet life between jumpoffs and swing parties. Plus I ate no pork then, rarely drank soda and slept 7-8 hours on the reg. Silly me to listen to my loneliness. LOL

          Reply ↓

  31. *snickering*

    Some people have gub’ment security clearances and know exactly how everything online is monitored.
    -
    Risk my livelihood by posting all of my business online? Sheeeeiiiiiittttttt!
    -
    That being said, I’ve shown my face on here before. That’s plenty Petey.

    Reply ↓

    • Funny you mentioned gub’ment clearances and stuff, because I have a step-sister who works in a spot like that. They monitor it ALL. Like they aren’t playing games.
      _
      Here’s an anecdote about how deep they get. When my dad got married again, the NSA ran a *deep* background check on him. Why? Because his parents weren’t born in the US. The funny thing is that the next war Barbados starts with anyone will be the first, yet the Feds were down his throat. I can only imagine what they do to people from countries that *may* start ish. LOL

      Reply ↓

      • Todd it don’t matter where you were born when the Gov is handing out clearances; they were attempting to contact my 8th grade teachers. I was asked why my address changed twice in a year or why I didn’t provide any info on my dad.
        -
        I had to come in, and record my responses to the items that rose red flags in their review. You should have seen the look on the interviewer’s face when I told him “If you find my dad, tell him he owes my mom back child support payments.”

        Reply ↓

      • They are pretty thorough. I’ve had a clearance going on 20 years now. You won’t find me on any social media. VSB is my spot.

        Reply ↓

    • Big Brother is not the only one that is watching. I took a training class on how legions of folks in China and other countries troll the internet looking to piece together individuals to target for obtaining information that will allow them to gain a military advantage.
      -
      Example
      -
      They will look at your linkedin page, cross reference any conferences you attended or plan to attend, and sit in chat rooms ralated to various subject matter in hopes you let down your gaurd and share things you aren’t supposed to.
      -
      It’s real in dem streets

      Reply ↓

  32. I have a love hate relationship with social media. I love the ability to connect and reconnect with individuals near and far but I hate the terms under which I do so. I’m not sure if google still does this but if you type in your phone number, google would show your name and a street view of your residence.

    This along with social media’s ever evolving privacy (or lack thereof) policies makes hanging out with Wilson on an island very appealing.

    Reply ↓

  34. You wouldn’t trust me then LOL but I find it refreshing to come across others such as myself who are into social media, that is not a red flag for me at all, it is welcome.

    Reply ↓

  35. My social media/Internet presence is stage managed as much as a major party political convention. I’m definitely plugged in, but what you get to see is *heavily* managed. For one, I don’t mess with Instagram, because I take few photos, and I prefer to edit my own, thanks. I don’t do anything that can locate me either. I do use LinkedIn, but that’s linked to an email address that I’ve kept professional-only since my days in college. I had a feeling that something Facebook-like would eventually come along, and I wasn’t going for the okey-doke. I have 6 different email addresses, and way to manipulate between them as needed too. The only thing they’re tied to is Facebook, and the public can’t see that connection. :)
    _
    Now, Twitter is an odd one. I maintain 3 accounts, one professional, one personal and one, um, “adult”. The info on all 3 are different, and 99% of my tweets are either replies or retweets. The fact that the look and feel of all 3 are different keeps me on my toes as to what I can say.
    _
    Facebook is a complicated set-up for me. For one, I make myself searchable for 2 reasons. One, my government name is the same as the common name for a public figure, so having my face pic up there makes it clear that I’m not that dude. Also, since this person can be involved in public controversies, I don’t people coming after me for random BS. Two, on the odd chance someone is looking for me, I have *just* enough info public that someone who actually knows me can tell that it’s really me.
    _
    Now I know FB privacy settings like the back of my hand. There’s a core group of ~80 people that I know and trust that see virtually anything unless it’s aimed at a HS or College crowd. Everyone else? Well, I’m an aggressive user of FB privacy settings. I also don’t automatically add people I knew from HS or college. Ninja I didn’t like you then, barely spoke to you, but now you wanna be cool?
    _
    Plus being that I’m in a relationship where my significant other has a history of listening on calls, the various tools FB has to communicate with keeps me connected to the outside world. It also allows me to put a pious and Christian front for my in-laws. Yay privacy! Lastly, there is the ego boost that comes when I put up my daughter’s photos. That’s the one thing everyone gets to see, and they LOVE them. :)
    _
    Finally, there is my VSB-notorious Tumblr account, which, well, Avenue Q did a song about. LOL

    Reply ↓

      • I thought you already knew. LOL For the record, my Tumblr is NOT safe for Work. I repeat NOT SAFE FOR WORK! You know how people have their “I wish a ninja would” moments, right? Well, for HR reps throughout corporate America have “visiting my Tumblr” on their list of “I wish a ninja would” moments. LOL

        Reply ↓

      • What I mean by that is a) I know them in person, b) they haven’t done me dirty and c) they’ve done me a solid more than once. It’s my outer circle as opposed to my inner circle who I chat with on at least a week, if not daily, basis.

        Reply ↓

    • ” I also don’t automatically add people I knew from HS or college. Ninja I didn’t like you then, barely spoke to you, but now you wanna be cool?”
      -
      You have no idea how many times I have told people this. But then again, when has it ever been acceptable to tell people that you hate them? Oh well, that’s the perks of being an asshole to people…

      Reply ↓

  36. Social Media only knows what you tell it. I am always suprised when I hear someone who avoids it. It’s even funnier when you tell them you don’t have to give them all your history. I truly feel sorry for them because they lack the education to know that social media is not big brother and it does not have the power to peer into your life if you don’t want it.

    Reply ↓

    • Amen! And trust me…if the Feds want to track you, they will. The disconnecting you’d have to do to avoid them is truly epic.

      Reply ↓

    • Wow, could it be that it’s just not their thing though? Nothing to fear about it just not that interested in being that plugged in perhaps.

      Reply ↓

      • ^^^^^ This right here. I don’t hate social media, I just feel that it’s for little kids. I will side eye a grown ass person in a heartbeat for being a part of it.

        Reply ↓

    • I agree with you, Tentpole, which is why my aversion to it isn’t so much about privacy. I mean, I do hate that they collect your information for advertisers, etc. but you don’t HAVE TO put everything up about yourself.

      Reply ↓

    • So what happens if people post photos that you happen to be in and then tag you? I mean, *you* didn’t post the photos or tag yourself. What does social media know then?

      Reply ↓

  37. I only have a FB account and two email accounts- 1 Professional and 1 Personal. I don’t do Twitter, Instagram, Linken, or any other form of social media. Any VSB/VSS that’s friends of mine know that I mainly post news articles I find interesting and worth sharing with people I know and blog articles I read, especially from Here. The World only sees what I Choose to upload and knows what I Choose to write about myself and my personality, which is barely enough for even my own Relatives and People who are “friends” to believe that they KNOW Me. I’m more Social than I’ve been in my short 25 years but Very, Very Private

    Reply ↓

  38. Ok, I’m noticing a theme in some of the comments (and in PJ’s post)… people who are posting pictures of themselves on the Internet, but at the same time say it’s “creepy” when people look at these pictures. This makes no sense. Isn’t that the point of posting them?

    .

    It’s like you’re saying, “Look at me, just don’t TELL me you’re looking at me because that makes you a stalker.”

    Reply ↓

    • I’m with you with that. I think a lot of people believe that only people that they want to see those photos are checking them out. That makes no kind of sense.

      Reply ↓

      • not me… i let everyone know.. you accept my fb friend request or send me a request i’m looking through all of your pictures, even if it takes me days… all… i.will.not.miss.one… i love looking at pictures, its fun to see how other ppl are living at the same time i am!
        ~
        i also let ppl know they are more than free to look at all my pics, leave comments, critiques or just compliments ;) if they so choose. i got a face that was made to be looked at… don’t believe me, just watch!

        Reply ↓

      • ” I think a lot of people believe that only people that they want to see those photos are checking them out.”

        mmmhmmm. so true. I’m one of those oblivious people lol

        Reply ↓

    • ” people who are posting pictures of themselves on the Internet, but at the same time say it’s “creepy” when people look at these pictures. This makes no sense. Isn’t that the point of posting them?”

      Silliest. Ish. Ever.

      Reply ↓

    • “people who are posting pictures of themselves on the Internet, but at the same time say it’s “creepy” when people look at these pictures. This makes no sense. Isn’t that the point of posting them?”

      100% Cosign

      Reply ↓

  39. when i was a full on workaholic i could not get with the internet. i was too busy working to play around. then it all came tumbling down and i realized i need to set up a new base of operations, so i went thru the looking glass like Alice and umm yea ..
    .
    i laugh that the only FB page i stalk is my own. ha ha. narcissism is a helluva drug. well, that and this weed ima smoke up. but i love love love my blogs. ohmagosh. they have saved my life. and maybe thas cause i am a writer and i need to publish like i need to breathe.
    .
    since i was a publicist for tooo long, i have a sense in my mind about public vs private, which becomes a harder line to negotiate when you write about yourself. but i am becoming comfortable with me, especially the uncomfortable spots, the awkward and painful things i must do, i cant get in my own way by caring if other people judge.
    .
    as to the government, ish is real. yup. the 21 century is Warhol X Orwell. but i’m not sweating it. i’m not gonna let no one stand in mahh way ~*~

    Reply ↓

    • yeah, that workaholic groove is cool until you get the crash. ive been using this time to loathe myself and reconsider my lifestyle. awkward, painful, uncomfortable. without a doubt. i wanted to smoke over new years, bad, but it always makes me feel like im copping out on myself. i clearly had a conviction i wouldnt drink or smoke anymore so to renig on it feels like ive lost my self respect. truth be told though, i miss hotboxing and good music. it was a whole nother world where everything i wanted was real.

      Reply ↓

      • mehh. i was sober for five years. overrated fukkinn ish. i had all that energy and what. okayy. i did some ill ishh and i’m happy but now, low keyy is so me.
        .
        see now for a minute i got it twisted and i didnt think i could have it my way like burger king. but umm yeaa then i found mahhself dancinn to photographs all cause my boy’s grandmama died and she’s throwinn the party. for real. yesterday, well, no matter. but i’m sayinn. i don’t do sobriety.
        .
        hee hee hee

        Reply ↓

        • yeeeeah, i noticed my energy level is always up to mars even though ill feel sad as sh*t. the lack of drugs/alcohol is good because im sharp minded and sensible but at the same time it makes my energy skyrocket for no reason. and then i just feel frustrated. and i hate taming myself. it feels akin to repressing a primal need to be unrestrained and then i just get angry. i wanna smoke but i more so wanna burn my energy off. let me run around and isht.

          Reply ↓

          • ha ha yea i feel like that then i put on some tunes and walk the Brooklyn Bridge but im not about to do that in this weather. nice spliff and some Janet takes the edge off cabin fever season. and inspires the next essay i gotta write .. mmm Estevan Oriol. yeaa. cool.

            Reply ↓

            • lol! i was listening to janet last night. you and me are >> here << one time i was smoking and my friend used this bong but with a hose in it, and mixed it with this really fruity stuff so it would be smoother for me. it was the best. i so wish i could be one of those people who gets lifted and has a jam session or paints or doodles or does something expressive and creative. that is…THE life. [*stares off into the sunset of imaginationland*]

              Reply ↓

  41. “How do you feel about folks without a social media presence online?”

    I’ve met a few people who were happy to tell me they didn’t do Facebook. I felt as though their point was they were being trendsetters. For them, Facebook was already passe. Ehh, I like Facebook. I can understand people wanting to stay off the grid but once you’re on, you’re on.

    I’m not sure what Instagram is about; pretty sure I’ve always been able to send and post pictures. Twitter is OK when #thewalkingdead or #hoarders is on.

    With that said, I have many social media profiles that I hardly use. I rarely update Facebook. My Twitter is for show as is the LinkedIn. I’m on the computer all the time for work and information. I can’t give that little black box anymore of my time. (TWHS?) And I have a love/hate relationship with my phone because it is a constant bearer of bad and/or annoying news and messages. So social media is a luxury I just can’t afford myself right now.

    I do feel like I’m missing that grand social connection where I can text, video, chat and make everything in life work in harmony.

    Reply ↓

  43. How do you feel about folks without a social media presence online?

    It’s not really a big deal. My two closest homegirls don’t have any form of social media, and a huge chunk of my family doesn’t use any either.

    Would you date or actively get to know somebody who informed you that they just don’t get down like that (I realize that’s a dumb question when stated like that…on the list of dealbreakers its an odd one…but would it make you suspicious in 2013?)?

    Yes, why not? I don’t think it’s strange that someone chooses to live there life completely offline.

    If you don’t involve yourself, even in Facebook, why not?

    I don’t involve myself in Facebook because I like my privacy. I don’t feel like I’m that interesting and I’m a pretty guarded person. If I were to have a FB wouldn’t be anything much on there. Plus, I have a locked twitter account and I talk to the folks that I want to talk to, mostly VSBs/VSSs.

    Reply ↓

  44. I have a love/hate relationship with social media.
    I honestly signed up for fb when it was ONLY for college students and ONLY because I wanted to keep in touch(stalk) my college crush.
    NOW? I’m over it and I’m about ready to deactivate my account and be done with Mr. Zuckerberg. The only reason I haven’t thus far is because like TUK, my bday is in two weeks and I want stuff and acknowledgements. (I’m shallow. Sue me)

    But I’ve made my fb profile about as private as it can be because I never used my fb for business purposes and I don’t want to. It is for friends and family to keep up with me and my daughter. I have a linked in profile for the professional stuff.
    Most of my social media profiles have limited access because while I want to be social, I only want to associate with who I want to associate with. I will post certain things publicly, but I don’t want the whole world to know. Only the public that I know and like. I know that’s confusing, but it made sense to me as I typed it. I have too many associates and the price of stamps is going up to send personal cards and emails so things like IG and fb allow me to keep in touch the lazy way.

    On a related note, I just realized how much the govt is starting to rely on social media profiles. I had to call the authorities on someone yesterday and they told me that they’d already been looking for him and had not only checked the national registries like drivers license and work registry, but they’d also searched for him by fb and twitter as well. I was both shocked, amused and terrified.

    Reply ↓

    • I remember trying to get on Facebook when it was for college students! I got locked out for some reason when I tried to register, like I couldn’t verify my own identity, so I said *f* Facebook. I was one of the last people I knew personally to get on Facebook. I drank the Koolaid.

      Reply ↓

    • +1 I read your post after posting mine..yes ma’am! I feel that if you are a rational adult in your normal life, you will take a rational approach to social media (limit what you don’t like, want what you want). I noticed that I have some very intelligent but ridiculous in real life fb acquaintances, so their access to social media is basically an advertisement for how bizarre they truly are. I have one fb friend (whose feed I have since blocked) that is well…a handsome woman, to put it as kindly as I can, and this matters because she is obsessed with marriage to a biracial man that is 6’2 and over, and wealthy and changed her profile picture to Boris Kudjoe. So for weeks I would see his face, and posts in all caps: PLEASE SOMEBODY FIND ME A HANDSOME BIRACIAL MAN TO MARRY, NO KIDS, THANK YOU JESUS PLEASE.
      It got very irritating. Brilliant scientist.Crazy as cat sh*t since 1996 when I met her.

      Reply ↓

  45. I’m a conservative user of social media and slightly crotchety adult when it comes to youth culture in general. I reluctantly joined facebook in ’04 since my job centers around college students and it was really the best way to connect with them. I am private and I hate everything, so I ratcheted up privacy settings, vet everything that’s posted to my wall, and lurk more than post. I have twitter and instagram accounts for lurking/passing time and following celebrities and bands I like. Cosign whoever said twitter is great for reading live tweets when watching ratchet television, I totally do that. I have other friends my age (30 something) who are so intensely into social media of all forms, posting pictures of their food, pictures of sayings and bible verses. I have recently starting deleting friends and blocking feeds I find ridiculous. I have a love hate with the thing–useful things have happened from being on facebook (finding out about shows, job opportunities for a family member, hearing about the passing of a professor of mine, hilarious videos etc) but there’s a lot about it that sucks. I hate oversharers and unsolicited advice givers. I hate sanctimonious humble braggers and bible verses and people with irritating fake middle names. I hate people’s babies. Those are the things that make me want to quit, but instead I just block and that does the trick, and then make sure my own use isn’t annoying or off putting to friends–I don’t think I’ve ever shared a status update more than 3 or 4 times in years, and mostly use it for photo sharing and being a fan of black dynamite and singers that get no radio play and sh*t.

    Reply ↓

  46. I will speak as a person who no longer has FB or Twitter anymore. I found FB to be very distracting and time-consuming. Sure, I had the time because my job is uninspiring and not challenging, but I found that I would rather consume my time with other things that didn’t involve other people’s lives. I’m already codependent, I don’t need the internet to make me more so. That’s just one reason.

    Now, the real reason why I quit all of that (except for Instagram, and that’s because after begging my sister to get on it for me, I can’t quit or she’ll be mad) is because I started noticing that people were using social media as the main medium of communicating with people they deemed “close friends.” Look, I don’t mind keeping in touch with acquaintances via social media, but if we are close friends, I will speak to you outside of the virtual world. I started noticing that it made people lazy and friends who had no problem calling me up pre-FB/Myspace all of a sudden had a huge problem doing so post-FB/Myspace. These people thought that liking my status, writing on my wall, or commenting on my pictures made them real, devoted friends. I’m sorry but that’s not the case. I’m not self-entitled and I don’t need people to reach out to me, but don’t write “I love you!” on my wall all the time and talk about how awesome I am when you live blocks away from me and barely call me anymore. So I said to myself that my real friends will speak to me outside of the virtual world. Everyone else is just taking up space. Is this immature of me? Maybe. Am I making sense? Probably not. Am I any better than them? Never claimed to be, but at least I don’t go around acting like we’re BESTIES when all we do is talk on FB. Not my style.

    Sorry if I am long-winded. You just reminded me why I hate social media and why I feel people suck lol

    Reply ↓

    • You make COMPLETE sense Asiyah, and I agree with you. Social media has made a lot of people lazy and narcissistic. It absolutely has its benefits as far as networking, but I think a majority of people don’t even take advantage of this aspect of social media.

      -

      As far as it taking up a lot of your time, I agree with this is well, and I would go even further to say that’s the Internet in general. I’ve found myself wasting way too much time on the Internet when I could be doing something more productive. *off to do something productive*

      Reply ↓

      • “Social media has made a lot of people lazy”

        I had someone tell me last year that the reason they didn’t remember my birthday was because I wasn’t on FB.
        That was met with a side eye and a hearty FOH.

        Reply ↓

        • Miss t-lee,

          so true. I’ve had people tell me they didn’t know my birthday because I wasn’t on FB, too. Mind you, we’ve been friends for over 5 years. I’ve had people tell me that they didn’t tell me about their engagement or marriage because I wasn’t on FB. Seriously? You can’t just pick up the phone and tell me that? Not even a text or an email? I hooked you and your fiance up. That did it for me.

          Reply ↓

          • exactly.
            Mofos wanna blame their ineptitude on FB and I don’t let them get away with it, for a second.
            Folks are throwing etiquette straight out the window. Idiocy.

            Reply ↓

      • I used to love social media Aly because I never took it that seriously, but when I started noticing what I previously wrote, I got out. I can’t take laziness and narcissism combined. Putting yourself on the pedestal of being an AWESOME friend just because you frequent my page often yet you suddenly forgot my birthday and need FB to remind you? How awesome are you? Please.

        Reply ↓

  47. im pretty heavy in these e-streets, my facebook is mainly for family, instagram for my art/creeping and my twitter is so i dont have to talk to real ppl. For my age group it’d be odd to meet a girl without any social media even if shes fairly inactive.

    Reply ↓

  48. Panama! You forgot to throw shade at the old school and otherwise irrelevant social media like FRIENDSTER! Consequently, my friends and I were huge livejournal fans #justshowedmyage

    Reply ↓

    • I used to LOVE friendster. I know it got irrelevant fast, but friendster testimonials were just the greatest thing for people with too much disposable time in grad school and needlessly large vocabularies. We used to go through great pains writing snarky things about each other in flowery and sentimental ways, that nobody did once facebook came out. Miss those days.

      Reply ↓

    • Livejournal fans? That’s…interesting. I’ve always used LJ to write and join writing communities. I’m just glad that LJ’s being doing so well for so long!

      Reply ↓

  49. I agree with giving a side eye to someone who doesn’t have some type of social media footprint. I also don’t trust people who don’t drink but I digress. I try and control my social media footprint and only have a LinkedIn profile. And by control….meaning LinkedIn is the only place you will be able to find me via my government name. I’ve risen up the ranks too far to let others know exactly what I’m into. My alter ego…..

    BTW – my brother by a different mother, The POTUS has a Twitter account so it can’t be all that bad.

    Reply ↓

  50. Social Media:
    .
    I play with it. Some of it. But, mostly I just leave it alone. I have a FB and I check it almost daily, but I’m not posting that much. I think I use it differently than most people, like to follow companies or receive specific types of information from news outlets. When I do post, I consider what I’m posting and who will be my audience. I have created lists for certain types of sharing.
    .
    As for employers trying to dip into my business, I wish they would ask for my FB account PASSWORD. It’s called SECURITY for a reason. And, employers have NO right to enter MY account.
    .
    Now, on that note, I’ll tell what I don’t do… I usually don’t comment on any post that is set to public. I keep my accounts locked down as tightly as possible to control what goes out to whom, and I check my security settings often.
    .
    Social media is a J-O-B. It is advertising, hence the word “media” and in no way ‘social.’ Live chat is closer to social. Live in person chat is social, but no media.
    .
    To another point, I have a number of different accounts for different ventures. I keep all my shyt separate on the net as much as I possibly can. When you start linking shyt, you give access to almost anyone, friend or foe.

    Reply ↓

  51. [*cheesing*] hey im not weird! well, since mad people here arent up on social media i guess i can talk isht about how pretty i am cuz mofos will never know.
    [*walks with my a*s snapping*]
    aaaah. baddest woman on the planet coming through, SCUSE ME. [*steps on all the little people*]

    Reply ↓

  52. Dating and Social Media (For Me):
    -
    Someone tried to set me up with a friend of theirs once. I went out on a date with him and things seemed to be going well. We talked over the next couple of months and finally exchanged FB accounts. I was floored at the frequency of his updates (seemed like every couple of hours) and the types of messages he posted (e.g. “I’m hungry”, “My ex-girlfriend is a b*tch”, etc.). I lost interest right then and there. In my mind…..”He doesn’t have anything better to do?”
    -
    Maybe it is because of my age, but guys actually gain more points with me the LESS they are into social media. Having a FB or Twitter account is cool for light recreation, promoting business and to remain knowledgeable of how communication has changed in society. But, I’m convinced that the more time a person spends socializing electronically; the more likely they will rely on that barrier of convenience that doesn’t require them develop real social skills.
    -
    The only thing I like about social media is that through Facebook, I can send one update on how my life is going (vacation, career, etc.) and all of my friends and love ones around the globe are informed without me having to call each personal individually. Twitter…..*sigh* I have an account, but when I log in……..I almost NEVER know what to say… LOL!!! In person, I’m much better because I am an extrovert. I enjoy giving and receiving energy.

    Reply ↓

    • Sister from another mister… “why he updating his Facebook so much doe and still ain’t said nothin? NEXT”… my sentiments exactly.

      Reply ↓

    • “But, I’m convinced that the more time a person spends socializing electronically; the more likely they will rely on that barrier of convenience that doesn’t require them develop real social skills.”

      I could not have said this better myself.
      This is why folks are out her texting entire conversations, in lieu of a phone call.

      Reply ↓

    • “Maybe it is because of my age, but guys actually gain more points with me the LESS they are into social media. Having a FB or Twitter account is cool for light recreation, promoting business and to remain knowledgeable of how communication has changed in society. But, I’m convinced that the more time a person spends socializing electronically; the more likely they will rely on that barrier of convenience that doesn’t require them develop real social skills.”
      -
      I want to partially say it’s age (as me and you are about couple of years apart). It’s mostly about wanting to have personal time. Not everything needs to be advertised for public consumption.

      Reply ↓

  53. I’ve been a reader of this blog for a while. I have never commented but I do peruse the comments. Seems to me that a lot of you are very, I don’t know, uh – full of yourselves? FB, Twitter, Instagram isn’t about narcissm for me. I know quite a few people on FB that I knew in my past that I would probably never have had the opportunity or time to connect with again. I love my FB community. We share all sorts of bullshit info, life updates, jokes, political debates, resources, moral support, etc. I don’t care who looks at my page because I’m an open book. I don’t post anything that would impair my ability to be employed, run for public office, or embarass my mother and I’m in my late 30s. I also have a very rich personal life and spend plenty of real time with my family and friends. “I’m too cool and grown for social media.” FOHWTBS I think it’s safe to say that this blog’s comment section is the antisocial man’s version of FB.

    Reply ↓

    • Umm… not that I disagree with you (tho I do)… but how exactly or better yet why exactly would someone call this comment section, where people socialize, “the antisocial man’s version of FB” is beyond me… please do explain. People socialize differently CLEARLY… and well I’ll be the first to say FB is not for me… why you mad tho?

      Oh and welcome!

      Reply ↓

      • I’m not mad. I just don’t like bitter hipsters. LOL! I have to be at work at the butt crack of dawn. Sometimes I have conversations with my friends that have the same obligation. Once I get to the job and I have some down time I’ll get on VSB for some entertainment. Reading all of the “I’m too grown, cool, I’m a ninja and we can’t use FB, I don’t like drama” comments was rather annoying so I decided to add my 2 cent. Thanks for the welcome! LOL!

        This comment section is the antisocial man’s version of FB because clearly some people have developed a social relationship via the site. You exchange personal information to a degree and look forward to interacting with each other on here. That’s cool. Not dissing your community. Just sharing my not so humble opinion.

        Reply ↓

    • “Full of yourselves” says the person that posted with such pompous authority “I also have a very rich personal life and spend plenty of real time with my family and friends.”

      Reply ↓

      • I qualified the richness of my real life because I figured one of you Bitter Urban Hipsters would comment that Facebook is for people with no lives. So I thought I’d beat you to the punch. It’s not pompous authority that I speak with, simply fact. Folks love me. True story. Kanye shrug or some other over used hipster internet slang. FOH!

        Reply ↓

          • “um yeah…Go out there and live it. Aren’t you making an assumption that I’m not because I took the time to comment? – the VSB community is on here discussing things regularly. Some people are here daily. Does that mean you’re not living your life? SN: I’m bored at work right now but as soon as I’m out I’ll be living my life and won’t check here again until Monday when I can get paid to indulge in such foolish banter. Assumption is the mother of all eff ups. FOH! Is that what passes for wisdom or a snappy repartee? There must be a BOGO on hype cause y’all are buying it in spades.

            Reply ↓

    • “Seems to me that a lot of you are very, I don’t know, uh – full of yourselves? FB, Twitter, Instagram isn’t about narcissm for me.”

      I’m sorry but why does it seem like you’re taking it personally the fact that some people don’t wish to have profiles on social network sites? If a person doesn’t want to join in on the “fun” why is that a problem? And how does that make them full of themselves? I’m not quite sure I follow.

      Reply ↓

      • Not taking your choice personally. However when one qualifies their choice by deriding the opposing choice of others that is in a sense a “personal” attack. Sort of like saying I don’t have sex because only sluts do that, or you get diseases, or some other gross exaggeration that may really be covering up the fact that you’re just not desireable. Again. That’s only my not so humble opinion.

        Reply ↓

    • Most here agree about having a sensible relationship with social media and that’s where many of the jokes are made. No matter how pleasant your community is, things seep in you don’t care for/care to read (people who brag about themselves, for instance. This is a small annoyance you may not want to keep seeing in your feed from time to time, so the antisocial and social alike would probably just limit the feed and then go somewhere like VSB to mock it openly). Plus, sure we’re full of ourselves, the whole site hinges on the writers proclaiming they are smart, and since this isn’t Clutch, we can actually make fun of ourselves and others and do so lightheartedly. Those of us who aren’t so smart, do, however, possess many, many rich personal life points, that we keep in frames around our homes to show all the people in real life who visit, which is totally just as good as smartness! So congratulations,sort of!

      Reply ↓

      • I guess I don’t see the need to mock things. So you come to VSB to do the same thing that you avoid Facebook for? So this is a board for passive aggressive types. Understood. Thanks for the congratulations! I win many awards. I will add this one to my shelf. I would like to thank the academy, the other nominees, my mother. No post formed against me shall prosper.

        Reply ↓

  55. been thinking about movin off of the grid myself as of late…

    just watched the movie “1984″ last night

    Reply ↓

  56. Folks above are talking about e-drama and all of that. What kind of friends/ people do you deal with? That has nothing to do with social media but everything to do with the fact you suck at picking friends.

    I really don’t trust people who do not participate in social media. I have a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google+. I would probably not hire someone who doesn’t either. I need you to have the skill and understanding of how to use the tool. That means you do not value networking and connecting with others. I work in the non-profit world and I highly value collaboration. Your unwillingness to connect demonstrates your lack of belief in that value. You wouldn’t have to connect with me personally, just show you actually are not a hermit.

    And those who say you are too old to use social media, it is a tool. I have actually gotten job offers from connect with people via social media. So if you not using it even professionally, you are missing out on opportunities. Unless you like being stuck.

    Reply ↓

    • “I need you to have the skill and understanding of how to use the tool.”
      .
      I use Twitter/FB for work A LOT, doesn’t mean I need to have a personal account to know how to use it.

      “That means you do not value networking and connecting with others.”
      .
      Now that’s just silly. You can network without social media, you just do it in person. They hold networking events in my city all the time. If they do it here, surely they do it in larger cities.

      Reply ↓

      • But int his century, connecting in person and online is networking. You have to do both. You cannot do just one. So while it is great to connect in person, if you have no online presence, then you are losing.

        Reply ↓

        • Agreed about the benefits of online networking. But to say that I don’t “value” networking or “connecting with others” because I’m not on social media is a little extreme.

          Reply ↓

          • It is when you are not using the all the commonly used tools. If you are purposely are not using tools to connect with other,s the vibe you give is that you do not want to connect. If that is not the perception you want to give off, then act accordingly.

            Reply ↓

        • I think connecting online is the easy, convenient way. Aly has a point here.

          “Folks above are talking about e-drama and all of that. What kind of friends/ people do you deal with?” Good Lord yes. If i hear someone talk about the ratchetness of people on FB my first question is, who in the world are you friends with online?

          “I would probably not hire someone who doesn’t either.” Really? That is a person’s personal choice. Some people don’t like others in their business. Also, as Aly pointed out, you can know how to use the tool without having it.

          Reply ↓

          • As I said, you have to use both. If not, you are behind. In person is great but if you do not have an online presence to along with that, you are losing. Its even fine if you have a Twitter/FB account that is strictly professional. Have some sort of online presence. None at all is a big no no. Plus, an online presence helps when someone Googles you. You can control what they see in those results but putting content out there.

            You cannot be effective with a tool you do not use. I would not let someone build a house if they never touched or used a saw or hammer.

            Reply ↓

            • Maybe i am still at the age where i am dealing with people who are 20+ years older than me but if i ever asked if they were on FB, Twitter or Linkdin to connect, the would give me the hardest side eye. Like, i don’t even think that’s professional to ask. It seems so disconnected than taking the person’s email address and phone number.

              Heck, when people ask me if i am on facebook and we just met, i say yes but you won’t be able to find me and keep it moving. Like i don’t know you like that.

              Reply ↓

            • I can’t help but disagree. Kudos for speaking with an authoritative tone and for making up rules. I have many friends who are not losing at anything and have ZERO online presence (not a linkedin, not a twitter, not a facebook, not even for work). They really don’t see themselves missing anything except annoying photo tags and alerts–their assessment. They interact in person or by email. Their jobs are in academia (professors, administrators, researchers), law, the sciences and business. I don’t know how you measure winning versus losing, but if being successful at their careers, having advancement opportunities and being well liked (by me at least, they are my peeps since way back so..bias) means losing, I think if they could LOL at your comment they would. When we hang out, the difference with them and other people is that I find that they don’t check their phones as much as other people, and they are better listeners than I am, which took me a while to admit. Onlinedom is not the required way to network, it is optional and not an indicator of success.

              Reply ↓

  57. *Pulls up suspenders and coke bottle glasses for severe nerd moment*

    Taken from dictionary.com

    social media – noun ( usually used with a plural verb ) Computers.
    Web sites and other online means of communication that are used by large groups of people to share information and to develop social and/or professional contacts.

    In the most technical way, THIS is a social media website.

    Just look at the definition

    verysmartbrothas.com

    A) website or other online means of communication – check

    B) used by large groups of people to share information and to develop social and/or professional contacts – check and checkmate

    …….and this has been NM W NM (Nerd Moments with Nicky Marie)

    Reply ↓

  58. I’m a Gemini and a narcissist, a loud mouth, opinionated extrovert. So I be on that social media cuz I’d just die without that interaction. But I’m also a recluse, shy and I can’t stand people. Sometimes. So I think about deleting it all. Add to that my recent adventures that I decided to blog about but didn’t want people who know know me to know, plus the fact that honesty is my creed…..I’m one confused Superheauxbitch.

    But I figure being all out is easier and healthier for me cuz I have a bad memory and I can’t keep my lies straight, which is the real reason I’m all about honesty. I envy people who can keep their lies straight.

    This year I’vr decided to somewhat merge my real and Wild Cougar online personas and wait for the fallout. I have a hunch I’m gonna be fine. I’ve dealt with plenty of artillery as a cartoon, so I got super thick skin and binders full of witty come backs. If you wanna see my new Instagram check Trystaliz

    Reply ↓

  59. I see nothing wrong with both having one and not having one. What irritates me the most about social media is that it is replacing decorum in most instances. It is downright rude to invite people to baby showers, graduation parties, weddings, and the such via fb, twitter and instagram. What happened to sending the good old fashioned invitation with a RSVP? If you don’t have enough of their contact info to even mail an invite, should they even be invited?

    I really wish that people would stop using social media as the primary form of communication. But then again… thats just wishful thinking. *Sigh*

    Reply ↓

    • “I really wish that people would stop using social media as the primary form of communication.”

      Agreed. Sums my sentiments up nicely.

      Reply ↓

    • I think it is fine to use some form of online invitations. For my job we do our yearly supervisor meeting invites via Google Calendar. We do our yearly program opening and closing ceremonies via an online system (Constant Contact I believe). In my personal life I receive an online wedding invite online and to me its fine. The invite doesn’t make the event, the people I am with do. I am doing my own wedding RSVP system online, mailing actual invites but having folks RSVP online. Its easier to keep track of. I lose paper too easily. The only reason I am even mailing invites is because I have some old relatives who do not have email, otherwise everything would have been online.

      Reply ↓

    • “What irritates me the most about social media is that it is replacing decorum in most instances. It is downright rude to invite people to baby showers, graduation parties, weddings, and the such via fb, twitter and instagram. What happened to sending the good old fashioned invitation with a RSVP? If you don’t have enough of their contact info to even mail an invite, should they even be invited?”

      Yes, yes, yes!!!!!

      Reply ↓

  60. The issue is not social media. It is that folks at times can over share. I always tell people, anything you put on the internet is not private. That is why I do not hide much on my profiles. I understand that premise and share accordingly.

    Reply ↓

  61. “The issue is not social media. It is that folks at times can over share.”

    Exactly. All I share is funny video clips, interesting articles, and thoughts on recent sports news. It’s funny how everyone here is makin it like it’s imperative that you tell all your business if you’re on FB or Twitter. Silly wabbits lol

    Reply ↓

  62. i’m a regular dude, and a boring one at that..so i try to limit my social media broadcasting (which is ironic for what i do and what i WANT to do..but for another time). it kinda helps that i don’t have 250.000 tweets, or upteen million facebook status updates. suffice it to say, if you follow me on facebook, on twitter, on instgram, on google+, on foursquare, on diaspora…then…you might have a 20% sketch on who “I” am.

    it also helps that my name is very unique, but common enough that outside of linked in, it would be hard to google me.
    that being said, i do need to ratchet up security on facebook a little. maybe i’ll delete all the pics or something.
    would i date someone with no social media presence? sure, so long as they didn’t go into some 40 minute soliloquy/monologue/rant about why they don’t use facebook.

    Reply ↓

  63. I am finding the comments amazing. I have a Twitter account (but I really only follow and don’t tweet), and have no Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn presence. I’m thinking about starting with LinkedIn.
    -
    I assumed I was the only person left on Earth who wasn’t much for social media. It’s just not for me. I feel like you must have a lot to say and display to fill up all those posts and to constantly take and post pics. I have a friend that I love dearly, but every time we get together, she’s taking pictures. Pose with this person, pose with that person, point to this, stand in front of that. Often, it feels like the art direction gets in the way of doing things and hanging out.
    -
    It all just feels narcissistic to me. Sometimes I think I am boring, but then I remember the saying, “You were born with two ears and one mouth. Act accordingly.” Add the privacy issues, and no thanks. If you’re into it, cool. But I’m bemused when people find out I’m not on Facebook. The shock! The horror!

    Reply ↓

  64. At one point, I had every social network available, but over time it got boring and I slowly started deleting all of them. I realized that after the deletion of these accounts, I spent way less time on my phone and computer and my real life interactions became way more important. I also caught up on all the books that I had neglected being on the internet all the time.

    Reply ↓

  66. Pingback: Why I Love and Hate Social Media | Says Me

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>