Social media and social networking have become a flash flood, overnight phenomenon that has a lot of people questioning it's value in our lives.
So... I am going to jump in on the conversation!
I have encountered quite a few people who have a natural resistance to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, FriendFeed, Orkut, YouTube, Vimeo, Skype, Flikr, SmugMug, Meetup.com, Ping.fm, Last.fm, imeem... and the list goes on. In fact, I have discovered several people who lash out at me in anger about social media and networking.
It makes me wonder... why is that? What causes such a disdain for connectedness?
Fear.
I explored this topic with a dozen social media resistant people and deep down I have heard an underlying contempt for social media and networking because of a fear that it will replace "real" relationships. People who think like this have a very valid point. In fact, I had one person tell me, "I don't want to be found." Another person commented, "If I want to have a conversation with _________, I would pick up the phone." I mean, there is something fairly narcissistic about this new social medium. Let's just be honest about that. I post something that I think everyone ought to know about me. It's like we're saying, "Look at me! I want you to look at me!" In fact, I am sure you have no doubt even heard some very religious people talk about the evils of these social websites. I am sure that they too have a very valid viewpoint.
Now, if this pisses you off... hang on.
I have also had numerous conversations with people who are actively engaged in social networking and they can't help but get passionately excited about it. They talk about some of their friends, followers, connections as though they know them. They are interacting with people half-way across America and sometimes half-way across the globe with an intentionality that seems to bring them closer together.
How can we resolve this dichotomy of opposing viewpoints? What would make sense of all of this?
One word: tool.
Tools are meant to be used to help achieve a set purpose; they are a means not an end. If the purpose is more narcissistic in nature then it resolves well that anyone with that intent and tendency might really despise social media. If, however, the purpose is more altruistic in nature then it too resolves well that anyone seeking connection and interaction with others would probably enjoy social media.
So, what do I think? What is my opinion? Where do I stand on this issue?
I REALLY enjoy social media and networking. I am a connector and I love engaging in conversations. I especially love engaging humanity in a conversation about God and Faith. I have a passion and curiosity about humanity that fuels me to want to interact with others. I want to get to know their stories; your story.
Let me dig into this a bit more.
I am on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, FriendFeed, Vimeo, Ping.fm, Last.fm, imeem, Meetup.com, SmugMug (via my wife), Xbox Live, Skype and this website. I am actually pretty positive that I missed a couple. I usually have an online identity of coveredindust... go figure. I also go by my name, Dave Hackbarth, or my gamertag, Hack89D.
If you are a person of the first persuasion, you probably just vomited in your mouth a little when I listed all of my connection points. I understand.
If you are a person of the second persuasion, you may have just thought, "I didn't know you were on Ping.fm... we've gotta connect!" Yes, let's connect!
So here's where it gets real... I don't allow my online connections to be my ONLY connection. Let me say that again. I take my online connections with friends and followers OFFLINE and into the real world. I have real conversations. I have real face-to-face interactions.
In the last year, I have connected offline with the following people:
@ericbryant (Eric is the Navigator with Mosaic in LA; we are engaged in conversation about connecting people back to the God that created them and loves them.)
@iamc (Carolynn has a tremendous story of God's faithfulness, comfort, and hope through extremely tough times.)
@BrilliantSass (Michelle has a great story of trust in the midst of religiosity; wow can I relate!)
@tlovvorn (Traylor found me via this website! He has a story of God's amazing restoration work as it relates to his marriage and family.)
@flabbyironman (Brian was suggested as a friend on Facebook by a mutual friend in Chicago because Brian was moving to Austin. We connected and I got him plugged into my small group.)
I have had phone conversations with several of my online friends and met others in person. I love that I am connected to people in different areas of the country separated by thousands of miles and that we have the opportunity to share our lives with one another.
I love the connection! I love the interaction! My life has been enriched by getting to know people that I would have never met five years ago. Seriously. I would not have traveled to another state just to go meet someone new and strike up a conversation. How about you? Social media and networking has afforded me the opportunity to connect with more people and I love that.
However, there is a warning that lies just beneath the surface that I must address- please do not let social networking be your ONLY connection to others. Please do not substitute online relationships for "real" relationships. God created us to be connected, communal beings and we should use this new tool to enhance and enrich our already connected lives.
I am aware that this topic will probably lead to more conversations since we are just scratching the surface and I am OK with that. So tell me, what's YOUR story? How have you engaged social media and networking? How have you avoided it?
As you comment, please remember the "Rules of Engagement."
Peace.
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composed by
dave
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