No Facebook, Twitter, or Texting

I'm probably the only person where I work that does not have a Facebook account, Twitter account, or texting capability, which is an anomaly when you work in the IT industry.  I have several reasons for not having accounts in these social networking sites, the main one being that I think they are a waste of time, particularly Twitter.  First, there is absolutely no way that I need to know or want to know/follow someone's every move or thought.  Second, I can't imagine taking the time to tweet what I am doing or thinking at any given moment.  Besides, who in the hell cares that much?  It is unbelievable though just how much time people spend social networking.  Now I hear that psychologists say that social networking and the Internet can be as addictive as nicotine, caffeine, or any other drug for that matter.  Whenever I walk around the office at work nearly everyone has their (or someone else's) Facebook or Twitter site either open on their monitor, or reduced on their task bar waiting for the next update.   In addition, their smart phones are attached to their hips or within easy reach and are constantly ringing, playing a song, buzzing, or vibrating alerting the user of a new text, tweet, post, etc.  In my opinion, this phenomenon is way past the point of ridiculous.  OK, so do I think this technology has any redeeming qualities?  Yes I do.  For example, I think these tools are invaluable for quickly organizing and communicating with large numbers of people, which has been used successfully by activists around the world.  I also think they could be a good professional networking tool as well.  That's about it, but I'm sure others would disagree, particularly those who share videos, pictures, and music with friends and family.  As for Facebook, I think that too many people are posting too much personal information about themselves and others that could be used against them.  If the truth be known, Facebook and the other social networking sites (including Google, other search engines, and online stores like Amazon) make much of their money by collecting, storing, and selling your personal information to the highest bidder.  Match this information up with other digital information (banking, credit card purchases, investing, employment, travel, bill payment, etc.) and you have rich data set or profile of an individual.  Consequently, I have told my family and friends NOT to post anything about me or what we're doing here at the farm on their sites.  That's what this blog is for...to keep family, friends, customers, and other readers updated on some of the things we're doing here at the farm as well as allow me to express my opinion and even rant and rave about the crazy things I see going on around me.   Sometimes I even wonder if this blog reveals too much information about me and the farm.

Comments

[barbara]

Thomas -- I, like you, only have my blog site. I try to keep my family out of it most of the time. I believe you are allowing just enough info on your site to make it interesting. No we don't need to know every doc appt you go to, what time you get up in the morning, if your car wouldn't start or how you tie your shoes. Many of the blog sites talk about the mundane in their life and get large followings. To each its own. -- barbara

[Thomas Key]

Hi Barbara:

Good to hear that I have just enough information to make it interesting. I have also noticed other blogs that have way too much personal information and focus on mundane activities in one's life. I guess that is OK if your blog is to keep family updated on your activities. I look at the OOHF blog more along the lines of an educational tool, a storefront, and a place where I can express my opinion and hopefully elicit feedback from others with the same or different opinions. Sometimes though I have to hold myself back since I get so emotional and upset over some of the things going on around me, our country, and the world. By focusing on farm topics though, I am able to keep my mind off some of these issues that drive me crazy. Thanks for commenting. Take care.