Well, it happened as we thought it would. The old blog has died. Bluehost canceled all our accounts. That's why you can't find Amy. Hopefully she will be up and running with her new blog very soon. That is also why Valerie and Kelly have disappeared.
Unfortunately, we did not get the archives preserved. Most of my Morning Time posts are on my MT blog, but the rest of my sage wisdom, snarky comments and lovely metaphors are gone which means I will have to start making fun of homeschooling all over again. But here I stand like a Rockwall*, ready to tackle fascism and injustice wherever they may be found. Ready to take on the economy, the president and snake oil salesmen.
For my first feat I would like to take on FB. FB is lingo for Facebook. Get it. You already know I don't care about voting for God or growing little green plants on FB. I really don't get warm fuzzies over hugs and hearts, although the occasional flair is fun. But I like FB.
When I first got on FB another mom warned me that being a Social Network young girls used FB as a tool against one another. "Look at the party we attended." "Look how much fun we are having without you." This had caused constant grief in her family.
Since then I have witnessed this for myself. I have now personally witnessed adult women using FB to make relationship points. I have seen adult women conversing with their daughters on private matters, publicly. I have seen all kinds of people saying all kinds of private things on a social network. And I just don't get it. This definitely appears to be a female problem.
While I see FB as a very valuable tool for prayer requests, what do you think of it as a place for airing despair? Just a question.
Have we lost all concept of privacy?
Have you seen break-up/make-up wars on FB?
Has anyone used FB as a tool against someone you know?
Should we be having FB etiquette classes?
While I have been accused of being uncivil on the Internet before for giving negative reviews of curricula, I do value civility. What bothers me about the incivility on FB is that is personal.
*Wink, Wink.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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14 comments:
While I see FB as a very valuable tool for prayer requests, what do you think of it as a place for airing despair?
It's difficult to keep prayer chains/requests from being gossipy.
Have we lost all concept of privacy?
Yes.
Have you seen break-up/make-up wars on FB?
No.
Has anyone used FB as a tool against someone you know?
No.
Should we be having FB etiquette classes?
NO!
Guess I'm not spending enough time on FB :)
Dana,
I essentially have acc3ss to 10 FB accounts altogether, counting children and spouses. That, of course, is a bit much.
I recently saw a newspaper article about Facebook etiquette - of sorts.
The main point was regarding status updates, and how to post something interesting. Basically the writer said posting one's favorite Bible verse or the fact that one is eating a sandwich are no-no's.
Unfortunately, innocuous stuff like the title of a book someone is reading or a the name of a restaurant where she ate dinner are exactly the type of updates I like to see. The angst-y, serious, depressing or distressing updates make me wonder if the Friend wants me to inquire more deeply with a message or something.
I have seen teens using FB in mean and unkind ways, posting hurtful remarks and using vile language.
Privacy? What privacy? Other than that "sacred" right-to-privacy involving murder of the unborn. Otherwise, we are a nation of glass-house dwellers. Whether we want to or not, we have to disclose so much. (I get so irritated at all the paperwork for enrolling kids in college. Am I the only parent who feels like the FAFSA is a major invasion of privacy?)
My status is all about eating a tomato sandwich today. Giggle :)
And I posted a link about the same.... but people LOVE to talk about food.
I know, you dont care.
It's okay.
I dont rely on FB, Blogspot, or Xanga for self-validation, although I'm about to change my mind about the etiquette class.
But who would listen?
On another topic - I need to figure out how to subscribe to these blogger comments. Dont want to embarass myself by refreshing too often!
I have never personally experienced that type of behavior on FB, but I know it exists. I think we haven't lost our sense of privacy as much as we've lost our manners. And it isn't just FB. Cell phones, forums, blog comments, emails have all become means by which we eviscerate each other. Maybe it's a result of too many Jerry Springer shows or reality shows on tv. Maybe we are once again adopting the colosseum mentality of the Romans.
I don't experience this first hand because I limit my contacts to family and friends who do not behave that way.
I HAVE found myself a bit embarrassed to think of what some of my FB "friends" might think of others of my FB "friends."
I witnessed an unfortunate exchange in which a young teen posted her status that she was off on an adventure to a certain city with her dad (who has custody of her) and her mom (who abandoned them years ago) posted the comment, "Oh no you are not! Have your dad call me immediately!" I was glad to see later that the girl did have her little adventure. Ptooey!
I like it when I get the inside jokes in a blog. (Wink)
Cindy, I have 19 of your old posts saved on my Bloglines account, if you would like to have them.
I am on FB, and just don't know what to make of it sometimes, but I like it. I never know how to keep conversation going in social situations, and now I know what to ask about when I see folks around town or when we go to visit relatives, ie., "How was your trip?" or "How's the home remodeling going?"
Oops, I'd better go change my status. I posted a prayer request today. I guess those who know better SHOULD teach a FB etiquette class for those of us who aren't quite so...savvy and informed. ;o)
When our friend Isaiah was in a coma, Facebook was *incredible* for getting updates out to so many people. That has been my best experience with Facebook.
What I have noticed: it seems Facebook forces integrity in some ways. I know there are ways to block what some people see (but I don't know how to do it); but if I talk in the comfortable Christian-speak I am used to with my Christian friends, all my non-believing friends can see that too.
For example: I am taking a trip to a metropolitan area and cannot possibly see all the friends I would like to. Pre-FB I would let the "in the know" friends in on it and keep mum with the rest. Well. I either keep mum with everyone or face the music!
Cindy, I'm so sorry that you lost all your archives. So. sorry.
Carol
Oh! Drat! I thought about going through and copying and pasting the posts I wanted to keep, but I didn't. Good for you, Katie!
I did get wind of a relationship issue with a friend and a sibling through FB, but FB wasn't a "tool" in the situation. I've seen it used in that way (*picture posted* comment: "Hey! Why wasn't I invited?!") but it's amongst the 12 year olds who probably shouldn't be there in the first place. :)
We do need etiquette and courtesy reestablished in our education, and it should be made clear that etiquette extends to all "online presence" activities. And a few new online-specific items should be included ("Don't hit "reply-all" on your emails"), but "FB etiquette" should merely be a thoughtful extension of common courtesy already understood.
Off-topic: I hope CIRCE does an MP3 download conference set! I don't know how you'll choose between the first day's "Life Interrupted" and "Educating Boys" sessions. :) I can console myself with not having to make that choice. :)
I'm glad to have found about your new blog Cindy; I was going to ask but just hadn't, yet.
I like FB too--it's been a great way to stay in touch, even on a micro (okay, sometimes too micro) level with friends far away and close by. I've also enjoyed other things about FB, like being 'friends' with a few of my daughter's college friends.
And, some of the questions you posed about FB are the kinds of things we prompt discussion in our home about social discourse. Another plus.
Most recently: I was telling my husband last night that about a peer of ours (male) who congratulated his daughter on her AP scores (numbers included) by writing on her wall. Knowing that they live in the same house, I thought it funny--however I probably wouldn't bat an eye at a status that said something about how proud he was of his daughter's great AP scores.
I am very sorry to hear that you lost all your archives. Very sorry.
I dunno. I've been known to say thank you to my husband on his wall when I think about it when we are not in the same place at the same time (I'm home and he isn't or vice versa). Do you keep all your praise for people living within your house to when you are home alone?
And if someone has posted they aced their SATs, it looks kind of odd if the parent DOESN'T say anything on facebook, if said parent is otherwise active. IMHO.
Perhaps you could consider it like a "Congratulations" party some parents throw for their kids for significant occasions. (Passing significant tests, even). They invite a bunch of people to come celebrate with them.
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