posted January 24, 2015 02:20 AM            

My family and friends are spread wide and far, and it consolidates everyone into one neat, little package, where I can check up on what everyone is up to. Friend in another state? Easy to converse with and keep apprised of the little things that've happened lately. SO in another country? Fairly vital way to stay in touch. Family traveling far and wide for medical and charity purposes? Easy way to keep updated without competing with ten thousand others for phone time, or interfering with travels.

Otherwise, it's nice to see updates from someone about their parenting hijinks, or news about how someone's foray into Hollyweird is going, or goals that have been met. It's much better than trying to spare time to talk with everyone in person or on the phone - or at all, for my very distant people.

I also like that I can check up on these things on my own time, when I want to, without trying to coordinate my time with someone else's. I work nights, so while I'm awake, most are asleep, and vice versa. It's useful, and prevents me from getting totally isolated and out of the loop.

I think it's a great tool to keep connected with those that matter. It's also best for those who have very little to hide. People who are overly self-conscious, multi-faced, or have secrets probably aren't keen on the risk it places them into. Some don't like having their anon badge taken away and having to be accountable for their words and actions, or having to explain themselves. It also helps if someone isn't over-sensitive. Don't like something on your feed? Just ignore it, or block if it's a repetitive problem. It's just like interacting with real people - no one is perfect, and you'll have annoyances to deal with and tolerate.

posted January 24, 2015 02:50 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Blind writer:
My family and friends are spread wide and far, and it consolidates everyone into one neat, little package, where I can check up on what everyone is up to. Friend in another state? Easy to converse with and keep apprised of the little things that've happened lately. SO in another country? Fairly vital way to stay in touch. Family traveling far and wide for medical and charity purposes? Easy way to keep updated without competing with ten thousand others for phone time, or interfering with travels

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Overall I can understand your PoV (though I would argue that you're far more accountable in person or on the phone than on the internet, including FB, which is why behavior is a lot different there, and when it's not your face to face friends then it's easy to be anonymous or create a false persona OL--including FB--as well such as sockpuppets, one example is "catfishing ") but I got really curious about the part I quoted. What do your family and friends do? And what do you do?

Talking about all this travel, including global for medical and charity purposes, and competing with thousands constantly demanding their attention and their travels being so constant made me think of your family, friends, and SO as people like the Dalai Lama. In any case it sounds really interesting.

posted January 24, 2015 03:27 AM            

Virgo Asc conj Mars, semi sq Neptune and sextile Uranus.

posted January 24, 2015 06:22 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
Overall I can understand your PoV (though I would argue that you're far more accountable in person or on the phone than on the internet, including FB, which is why behavior is a lot different there, and when it's not your face to face friends then it's easy to be anonymous or create a false persona OL--including FB--as well such as sockpuppets, one example is "catfishing") but I got really curious about the part I quoted. What do your family and friends do? And what do you do?

Talking about all this travel, including global for medical and charity purposes, and competing with thousands constantly demanding their attention and their travels being so constant made me think of your family, friends, and SO as people like the Dalai Lama. In any case it sounds really interesting.

I suppose if some of my relatives whom I'm close to (or even Mom or Dad) but in another state got on FB I MIGHT, though I'd probably stick to email (with the usual occasional phone call, letter, card, package, and rare visit)...but then they're not constantly going around the world or have thousands competing for their attention, and if they did then I could see the appeal of a social networking site (though it still wouldn't be much for communication beyond "I'm still alive" and online postcards given the extreme demands on their time, but I'd still take a look at the FB page at least whether or not I got onto FB myself).

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Haha, not Dalai Lama, no, but very active in childhood cancer awareness, volunteering, owner of non-profit organizations, and crisscrossing the country for specialized treatments and fundraising. State representatives and spokespersons, too. It makes contact difficult, and a bit heart wrenching when health takes a turn for the worse. But it's adorable to see the huge, derpy smile on my nephew's face as he met Miss America, or the cute dance my cousin did after hearing back about the care package she sent to children in need, even though she's exhausted from chemo. It's entertaining to read the updates from my cousin hiking in the bush on his way back to civilazation with his (soon-to-be) fiancée. These things are irreplaceable and unavailable to me otherwise.

My brother and his family got stationed to another state, and it's easier to keep up on FB. Posts of the mundane are nice for him, I imagine, especially when he comes back from touring overseas (he's military). I have another good friend who moved and is working over in Hollyweird, which is mildly dramatic - at all times. Another friend lives in Singapore, another in Australia, Canada, Japan, etc - I know a lot of international folks, lol.

Myself, I'm rather lackluster, but incredibly lucky in the people I meet and have come to know. I have artist pals from a few different states, and hearing how professional comic work and conventions is for them is interesting (as a fellow comic artist). Business-wise, I'm off FB, but no need for me to add it. I switch agents all the time, so it's impractical (real estate), and would serve no purpose.

I agree that people are more accountable in person, since there's no escaping, but if you dig a hole for yourself online, it's just reaping what you sow. I see little point in creating false personas, but I realize everyone is different. It's just something I wouldn't bother with - too high maintenance for me. The folks I mingle with and my family are all along the same lines, too. We're all fairly straightforward.

I suppose a lot of it has to do with maturity too. That gap between "too young to know any better, much less care" and "totally comfortable in one's own skin", that space where all the jaded and cagey people reside - those are probably the ones who have a big problem with social media, and feel like it's invading their privacy.

posted January 24, 2015 07:34 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Gabby:
Hmmm, I know another cancer AC that deleted his account due to ppls posts. He said ppl where terrible and he didn't want to see it in his face everyday. He got so irritated and stressed with it he just wanted out.

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posted January 24, 2015 04:49 PM            

I also didn't like the idea of having an identity online, as if Facebook was really something people can use to gauge your character. It's not really surprising, but people (acquaintances) actually judged me and thought I was a certain way because of my Facebook, and I think that's just weird. So I deleted it, which was suspiciously difficult, and made a new one with a fake funny name, no pictures, fake info, and only a few friends who I keep in contact with. And now, it's fun again instead of a weird social obligation/identity thing.. Much better

I also tell most people that I don't have a FB, because I don't want to add them and ruin my FB bubble. Loll

posted January 24, 2015 05:42 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Blind writer:
Haha, not Dalai Lama, no, but very active in childhood cancer awareness, volunteering, owner of non-profit organizations, and crisscrossing the country for specialized treatments and fundraising. State representatives and spokespersons, too. It makes contact difficult, and a bit heart wrenching when health takes a turn for the worse. But it's adorable to see the huge, derpy smile on my nephew's face as he met Miss America, or the cute dance my cousin did after hearing back about the care package she sent to children in need, even though she's exhausted from chemo. It's entertaining to read the updates from my cousin hiking in the bush on his way back to civilazation with his (soon-to-be) fiancée. These things are irreplaceable and unavailable to me otherwise.

My brother and his family got stationed to another state, and it's easier to keep up on FB. Posts of the mundane are nice for him, I imagine, especially when he comes back from touring overseas (he's military). I have another good friend who moved and is working over in Hollyweird, which is mildly dramatic - at all times. Another friend lives in Singapore, another in Australia, Canada, Japan, etc - I know a lot of international folks, lol

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Yes, that is interesting. I also have international friends but I keep up with them via email (they have time for that). I did once start looking at the FB page of one just to see that he was still alive after he vanished for months and was relieved to find he was touring with his band.

And just so you know, plenty of us seeing FB invading our privacy in more ways than you seem to realize, which isn't the stuff we share on FB but secret stuff that FB monitors, data mines, and analyzes for both the market and NSA, among other things that are outside the control of the users. Heck, they've even done experiments on its users when paid to by scientists, which is just one more way FB doesn't respect you, the user. There was also Beacon. That's just another example off the top of my head, they do it a number of ways.

posted January 24, 2015 10:30 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
Yes, that is interesting. I also have international friends but I keep up with them via email (they have time for that). I did once start looking at the FB page of one just to see that he was still alive after he vanished for months and was relieved to find he was touring with his band.

And just so you know, plenty of us seeing FB invading our privacy in more ways than you seem to realize, which isn't the stuff we share on FB but secret stuff that FB monitors, data mines, and analyzes for both the market and NSA, among other things that are outside the control of the users. Heck, they've even done experiments on its users when paid to by scientists, which is just one more way FB doesn't respect you, the user. There was also Beacon. That's just another example off the top of my head, they do it a number of ways.

That aside, it's a lesser concern (out of much greater concerns) to me (though still a concern), one that annoys me much more than it worries me, and furthermore I do wonder why people think they can post pix of themselves puking drunk or whatever along with overly sexist and racist rants and then act surprised when no one wants to hire them (or fire them because they keep posting what a jerk their boss is) because of their FB page--that one is on the user, not FB.

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Email is too tedious for me - I don't have the time or energy to compose so many emails, which would consist of mainly all the same stuff.

Market analysis and sociological study has always been a Thing, since way before the advent of social media. For some reason, people don't seem to realize this. These type of experiments and focus studies are still in practice today, and as you said - it's a consequence of living in a society, and primarily just an annoyance. I'm aware of it, and tolerate it, because I recognize that information is important for paving the way to the future. I have nothing to hide or be ashamed about, so it's a minor irritant.

posted January 24, 2015 11:44 PM            

My profile is private. Acquaintances don't see most of my posts. The public can't even click on my profile picture, let alone see where I live or anything else.

My acquaintances are there so that I can contact them if need be for specific purposes. Email is tedious. My extended family doesn't even see most of my posts, because I prefer it that way.

Leo Asc
Trine Neptune
Trine Eris exact
Opposite Mercury/PoF

Pluto in Libra 3H
Opposite Aries Venus/Ceres 9H
Trine Mercury 6/7H
Square Cancer Saturn 11H
Sextile Sag Neptune (like most people) 5H
Quincunx Pisces Sun 8H

I'm pretty private.
But I like Facebook pretty well.
I also don't broadcast my personal issues, woes, or concerns on there.
I gripe about the petty stuff, or post things that I find funny, or sometimes ponder a bit, and that's about it.

Oh. Also, I have an alternate account that I use periodically. It's also relatively private.