Place a Ban on Facebook?
Should a ban be placed upon Facebook?
Facebook is a helpful social media tool when it is used as it was originally intended. Facebook is a weapon when used destructively. But is this a reason to ban Facebook? Or should Facebook require background checks on all it members, past and future?
Recently, I have been quite ill. My wife posted requests for friends to pray for me. I have appreciated that many friends have responded positively to pray for me. Since we believe in prayer, this is one example of a positive use of Facebook. I could list others, but I want to save that for another post.
All positive examples share the same characteristics: they harm no one and invite caring community. I have been surrounded by a believing community to hold my needs up before our mutual Father. Whether one believes in prayer or not, he can see the value of such a rallying point for those who do.
One the other side–Facebook as weapon.
I have read the articles and heard the TV news stories of those who have been libeled and bullied through negative community using social media. Various evil people have used their words and photos to inflict damage by impugning the character ,or behavior, or looks, or whatever of others. These are examples of the negative use of Facebook.
Two examples of the use of Facebook. One positive, one negative. Yet Facebook is the vehicle for BOTH. Just as in the hand of one man a screwdriver tightens screws, so in the hand of another the same screwdriver could maim or kill.
Good leaders know that to deal with any problem–Go to the ROOT of the problem, not the FRUIT of the problem. So, to your mind, what’s the root problem? Facebook? Screwdrivers? Guns? or People?
QUESTION: What do you think?
©2013, David C Alves
Back From My Internet Fast
You may recall that back in late October, I made plans to go on an internet fast for the month of November. I wrote a post about it: Taking An Internet Break. Anyhow, I’m back and want to share with you some of what I experienced and learned.
But first . . . an apology. For those of you who subscribed to my blog on Kindle, and for those who looked forward to reading here at “David’s Place,” I apologize for not returning on Dec. 1 as I had originally intended. That becomes part of my story too. I really do appreciate EVERY reader, and I value your time.
So, I took a much-needed break from my blog, Facebook, Buffer, Twitter, and the endless writing and posting that goes with all that. Not to mention, the research and reading across the blogosphere to bring you the best that I can deliver when I write. (I’m sure some of you can identify)
The first week, I felt as though I didn’t know what to do with the time . . . WRONG! I’ve always been the kind of person who knows exactly what I will do when I retire. I knew that in Jr. High. Now I’m close to the age where retirement might be expected. So, I had no writer’s block or confusion over what to do with my time. I began by creating a reading list on GoodReads. If you haven’t discovered Goodreads, you owe it to yourself–unless you’re already on LibraryThing. (I think there’s a post that you could write if you’re familiar with BOTH of them. Love to see a comparison review of the two sites and their features. Anyone game?)
Anyhow, I developed a “to-read-next” shelf on GoodReads. And I methodically began to read.
I also spent more time with people . . . face-to-face. I met them for breakfast.
Then I decided to go paperless and scan everything into OneNote 2010. I wrote a blog post that gives more particulars. But if you’re not already scanning your stuff into OneNote or EverNote, then you have something to look forward to. Love that I can retrieve it instantly once it’s scanned in.
So I spent more time quietly reflecting on the Bible. Listening to the Lord, journaling, and contemplating also filled the time I would have been using to surf Facebook and Twitter.
I made a couple of decisions too:
- No more mindless scanning of the Facebook news feed. I look for high value friends and family shares and comments.
- I’m keeping a lower profile. It takes less time and effort. I have more readers now then when I was spending hours tweeting, posting, and interacting online.
- I want to post less often, but with improved content–making my contributions more worthy of my readers’ time.
- My days begin with prayer and writing. ALL social interaction and email is after 12 noon.
- Only give 2 hrs a day to the internet (unless doing special research).
- Enjoy more face-time with people.
These choices will improve my quality of life, as well as my personal relationships. That’s what I did and learned on my social networking fast.
By the way, I can now highly recommend a TWO MONTH fast from social networking and book marketing for you authors. Write more.
My next fast? I’m going to try fasting for a month from my Smartphone. It’s way too much a new appendage and needs to be pushed back into balance.
©2013, David C Alves
Related articles
- How Do You Know When You’re Overdosing On Social Networks? (makeuseof.com)
- Pittsburgh pastor wants social media fast for Lent (sfgate.com)
- Cyber-Pessimism (journalism176.wordpress.com)
- GoodReads, A Resource for Booklovers (atlantareader.wordpress.com)
Google+ to Move Facebook & Twitter Aside?
I received an invitation to Google+ last Thursday. Now I’m trying to learn about it. Here’s what I’m finding out:
If effectiveness drives popularity, then Google+ is soon going to move FaceBook and Twitter aside. GP may become bigger, more popular than BOTH.
Brian Clark, at CopyBlogger.com said:
[Google+] takes the good things about Facebook and Twitter and makes them better. More importantly, Google had the luxury of watching what Facebook and Twitter did wrong, and made it right.
Clark goes on to say that GP will probably hit it really big by being about content and community.
One downside is that Google+ is so new that those who are there are trying to get up-to-speed. We’re trying to learn it and see the potential (if you want to stay ahead of the wave on this, then add Brian to one of your circles. And even though participation is by invitation only, more than 10 million are already using it. I’m not sure what will happen at Twitter and Facebook. Some people will not want to take the time and energy to learn a new platform. But may others will.
Will Google+ with its millions of Googlites draw enough Plussers to make it the most gigantic social network ever . . . or will people stay with what they know?
QUESTION: What do you think about the advent of Google+ ?
©2011, David C Alves
Related articles
Google+ to Move Facebook & Twitter Aside?
I received an invitation to Google+ last Thursday. Now I’m trying to learn about it. Here’s what I’m finding out:
If effectiveness drives popularity, then Google+ is soon going to move FaceBook and Twitter aside. GP may become bigger, more popular than BOTH.
Brian Clark, at CopyBlogger.com said:
[Google+] takes the good things about Facebook and Twitter and makes them better. More importantly, Google had the luxury of watching what Facebook and Twitter did wrong, and made it right.
Clark goes on to say that GP will probably hit it really big by being about content and community.
One downside is that Google+ is so new that those who are there are trying to get up-to-speed. We’re trying to learn it and see the potential (if you want to stay ahead of the wave on this, then add Brian to one of your circles. And even though participation is by invitation only, more than 10 million are already using it. I’m not sure what will happen at Twitter and Facebook. Some people will not want to take the time and energy to learn a new platform. But may others will.
Will Google+ with its millions of Googlites draw enough Plussers to make it the most gigantic social network ever . . . or will people stay with what they know?
QUESTION: What do you think about the advent of Google+ ?
©2011, David C Alves
Related articles
What Can I Write for You?
I would appreciate a moment of your time and a little favor.
For over five years, I’ve maintained a blog. I write the kind of things that I would like to read. I also write what I think would interest the friends and family members I know.
Reading is a time-investment. I want to benefit all those readers who invest their precious time to read my posts. In your opinion, what can I write to be more helpful, encouraging, or informative for you? Your opinion could help me to help others.
So far, the posts that have received the largest readership have been current events related, especially the Osama Bin Laden post. Also posts about social media as it relates to relationships–“Making the Most of Facebook.” I also share some journal entries from time to time, as well as Life Coaching helps–“Sailing This Season of Life.”
Let me know if I’m hitting the nail on the head for you.
I’d appreciate it if you would leave a comment.
QUESTION: What draws you to read my posts? In your opinion: Is there something I should be doing more . . . or less?
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