I recently posed this question on my Facebook page.
“Question for all my FB friends – do you think all the social media that allow us to be more connected with our friends really makes us less connected?”
The lecture this week about micro-blogging made me consider this question. Specfically the short tutorial that explains what Twitter is. As they explain:
“So, what are you doing. It is one of the first questions we ask friends and family. Even if the answer is just mowing the lawn or cooking dinner it is interesting to us. It makes us feel connected, and a part of each other’s lives.” Youtube video Twitter in Plain English
Here was my response to my question posed above:
I keep “in contact” with people that I wouldn’t if it wasn’t for Facebook etc. But, I’m not really “connected” with them – in fact it can make me less connected with my friends because I don’t ask “How are you?” because I already know based on status updates etc. There are times I am less engaged because they will be telling me a story and I think – didn’t I already hear/read this? Oh yeah, I did. And, here’s the other question – do you really need to be “connected” with people from high school or college or previous jobs that you never really talked to or hung out with in general? Does it distract from those that you have a real connection with now?
What do you think? Is micro-blogging another great way to keep in contact with those around you? Or does it just distract us from making real connections?
