What I don't like about "social media"

I think the thing that bugs me most about Facebook, Twitter, and the like is the way they make it easy for others try to get me to waste time. For instance, things like all the apps that want me to play poker or give or get a Shrute-buck. I don’t really want to play with these crappy little apps and the social pressure of my “friends” sending them to me isn’t really welcome in my day. Also, I have more than enough email so yet another way to get electronic mail inside each of these sites is also not something I want. Facebook became a chore to me… log in, look at all the crap that showed up, check my private messages, approve friend requests, read my wall, blah blah blah. I don’t have time for that. Email me, or call me, but don’t write on my freaking wall. And if you don’t know me in RL in some way, why are you inviting me to be your “friend” anyway?

The other thing that comes to mind is what inspired this very blog post. I’m seeing a few twitter posts with catchy titles and a tinyurl link that go to some article I don’t care about. Using the power of “someone I know” to drive me to actually click it, I do. And it’s nothing I care about. I actually like twitter. I really like following people I know. But for the love of god, tell me what you’re sending me off to.

I think these sites all have great potential and great uses. People just need to learn how to use them and find what they are good at. I think I’ll even re-activate my facebook account soon… but I won’t be accepting nearly as many “friend” requests this time around. I’m all for wasting time… but it’s on my own terms for now on.