I prefer to do my communication face-to-face and if that is not possible then with a phone call. There is too much unseen information and context that can be left out when texting or posting, which is one of the reasons I don't embrace those social media platforms.
So is this the ramblings of another older person who didn't grow up with this technology? Probably. But I believe that the design of most social media platforms is to encourage you to share information, whether you have relevant information or not. There is an almost addictive aspect to creating content that generates feedback, (Pavlov's measured response for humans) that is difficult to ignore. The downside is the need to feed the beast with more information, all in the name of ringing the bell of social media feedback. I don't think you have to look far to see this played out in people of all ages and demographics and it is showing no sign of diminishing with our availability to mobile technology. And we haven't even discussed the problem of privacy and the eternal-like shelf life for data being posted on most platforms. (Another huge reason to not use social media)
So is there a solution to this situation? Or is this even a problem seeking a solution? I'm not sure honestly, I think this is our new normal. From devices monitoring our conversations at home, in the car, and at work I can't foresee us being willing to trade our technologies for increased privacy. I do wonder if people are secretly seeking immortality by leaving a piece of themselves on this planet through social media? I mean, isn't that what I'm doing with this blog? Maybe the real goal is preserving their conversations, thoughts and dreams after they are dead and gone. What do you think?
