I think I'm one of very few people who do NOT have a Facebook account. And, if I can help it, I'd like to keep it that way.
I really don't have anything directly against FB; I know it does wonders for keeping people connected, and re-connecting friends, but really, I prefer connecting in person... and I have a hard enough time (emphasis on "time") doing that.
See, I understand the benefits of FB, especially when staying in touch with long-distance friends and family. But really, that's what email's for (and of course the blog), both of which already keep me distracted from other tasks (see a post from last year). If I committed to FB, too, well, then I might as well say good-bye to my downtime because there wouldn't be any. (Basically I'm admitting that I'd have a hard time NOT checking it 24-7.)
I'm also resistant because, quite frankly, I'm not really anxious to re-connect with people I've lost touch with. It's not that I'm not as nostalgic as the next person, but I want to work on maintaining the relationships that I have now rather than re-kindling those from the distant past. If I were to re-connect via FB, I'd feel as if we had to be buddy-buddy again, which, again would involve extra time that I don't have. Yes, this doesn't exactly portray me in a positive light, but it's true; I want to spend time connecting in person... not behind a computer screen. (Not to begrudge those of you who do; it just doesn't exactly work for me. And no, the irony of that statement isn't lost on me. I know that sending an email and posting blogs aren't exactly in person, either. I just figure that at some point in time, I will see those people I correspond with in person again.)
Then of course there's the fear that my students will find the page. I know, I know, there are filters, but still. What if a student DID find me? Then what? Not like I have some secret life that they needn't know about, but I do like to keep my life private. And I have a feeling that they know all the ins and outs of FB, which means that they could find me there.
For my few reasons of resistance, I'm sure there are plenty of reasons why I should join (and they'll probably show up in the comments section of this post), but for now, I'd rather not. So for all my friends with pages, guess we'll just have to continue connecting the "old-fashioned" way... email.
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5 comments:
Isn't the old fashioned way letters and cards? I don't think email falls into that category yet but I'm sure in our lifetime when we explain to our grandkids what a letter once was email will also be a thing of the past and old fashioned as well. Girl, you do what you've got to do with the FB thing. I will say that there aren't any grand gestures of re-friending. I do catch up with people but it doesn't really go beyond that unless I want it too. If I were a teacher of teenagers though, I wouldn't want one either.
You bring up some great points, HT. I see both sides. I've made connections on FB with friends/acq. from work, church, high school, college, etc. - it's amazing how connected we are really are in life. I do think it lessens human contact, but sometimes that's just not possible with people who are miles away. E-mail does work, too, but it's a lot easier to catch up with an old friend via their posted pics than wait for someone to send me pics of their family or kids. (I post more family pics on there than I do on the blog, too).
Of course, I'd rather have an e-mail from you that clearly shows thought than a quick comment on some random thought i posted.
...plus...as a soon-to-be ex-teacher, it's been a great tool for me to keep up with my former students. You may want that option, because you've taught a ton of great kids, too. And they'd love to see pics of your little one...
You knew I'd comment on this one, right? ;)
Of course, do what you like ... no arm-twisting here. Just one note of clarification: you can set your profile to private so that anyone you haven't "accepted" as a friend can only see your profile pic and name, and that only very small! Even once you accept someone, you can control how much each person is able to see on your profile. So in the area of privacy, FB has done well by its members.
Still, I enjoy reading a good blog more than I enjoy clicking around on FB, so keep it up!
I don't know why this blog made me think of this, but it reminded me of a class I have to take next year.
The professor for the class actually uses facebook as the classroom. It's a really big discussion class and you're required to take part in each discussion once a week.
It's kind of weird and I know there are a few surveys here that ask students how they feel about their professors having FB. 60% said they were fine with it, but the other 40% thought it was weird and awkward. But then when they were asked about former high school teachers having accounts 83%said they thought it was normal and a good way to keep in touch with former students.
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