Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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MoonsWifeJenn
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Exiting the Cult of Social Media

Post by MoonsWifeJenn »

So after carefully thinking this over I find that most social media websites are like cults. They draw you in with the fake exciting bs. Then after you join you’ll notice all things that made it worthwhile to join have been replaced by things that to me is like a manipulation . I found this with Facebook. I remember back when it came out shortly after Moon and I got married. You controlled how your page was setup. Now they seem to control how you use their website. Let’s not forget the countless Ads you have to put up with just to see a few friends post on your news feed. Google has started this too. They use to have Google+ since removing this now they’re removing Hangouts. A messaging app Moon and I use when he’s at work. They scan through your google drive also to make sure you have appropriate files and pictures. If you don’t they remove them without warning.

Tonight at the dinner table we were discussing how over the course of the years everything will eventually convert into us being on our phones for everything. Including grocery shopping. I’m not sure how all of you feel about it but I feel like technology, websites as in Social Media is currently ruining our society. My Facebook deletes March 7th. As well as my Snapchat. I don’t have Twitter, Instagram, Tinder or any other Social Media account. Thoughts? I’d love to hear them. Stay on topic please this could be a great discussion.
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denimini
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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I use the computer a lot for my work and have never got into social media. A colleague talked me into creating a Linked-In account (which is like a business facebook) which promptly annoyed me and I got rid of it (with much difficulty).
Hearing about people's interaction with Facebook, I think if it is not carefully managed it gets a bit like a perpetual funeral service; where a heap of people are brought together that normally don't meet or interact.
Online forums are the only way I interact as they are specialised and reasonably focussed on a particular subject or interest.
Thankfully I have very little reception on my mobile at home so I tend to use it only when travelling.
Last edited by denimini on Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
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MoonsWifeJenn
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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denimini wrote:I use the computer a lot for my work and have never got into social media. A colleague talked me into creating a Linked-In account (which is like a business facebook) which promptly annoyed me and I got ris of it (with much difficulty).
Hearing about people's interaction with Facebook, I think if it is not carefully managed it gets a bit like a perpetual funeral service; where a heap of people are brought together that normally don't meet or interact.
Online forums are the only way I interact as they are specialised and reasonably focussed on a particular subject or interest.
Thankfully I have very little reception on my mobile at home so I tend to use it only when travelling.

I absolutely agree with what you said regarding the funeral part. When I first joined Facebook as well as Moon we had lots of friends that actually interacted with us. Since Facebook has changed and the many issues with Family we deleted our originals. Since then while people have added us after doing so it comes to an end. However if you delete it then they get upset you’re leaving. I’ve yet to figure out why when they don’t communicate or interact. I’m thinking it’s because they have a certain selection or circle perhaps?
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

Post by Freedomforall »

I believe you are very accurate about the future and our phones. It is so scary how we have developed such a dependence on these devices. A payphone is now an archaeological artifact that most younger people don't even recognize. Insurance companies now offer discounts on your health insurance if you allow them to monitor your activity levels, etc. I find this downright scary. I think beyond cell phone technology there will be some type of an integrated device that will be built into our bodies. Our minds will control these devices and heads up displays will free our hands from cell phones that will be outdated by then. I believe we will be able to chat with one another without even picking up a device. Our minds will all be interlinked.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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Freedomforall wrote:I believe you are very accurate about the future and our phones. It is so scary how we have developed such a dependence on these devices. A payphone is now an archaeological artifact that most younger people don't even recognize. Insurance companies now offer discounts on your health insurance if you allow them to monitor your activity levels, etc. I find this downright scary. I think beyond cell phone technology there will be some type of an integrated device that will be built into our bodies. Our minds will control these devices and heads up displays will free our hands from cell phones that will be outdated by then. I believe we will be able to chat with one another without even picking up a device. Our minds will all be interlinked.

It sure is scary. This actually reminds me of something Moon stated. He told me something about how insurance agencies are coming out with a way to track how you drive like a gps. If you are too hard at driving they can make our cars not start. Now that’s pure craziness. I do agree with you about the interlinks of our minds. You can’t even walk into a store or restaurant without people on their phones. It’s either Facebook or Snapchat they have pulled up. It’s like mind control.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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Jenn, I have a farcebook page but haven't visited it in years. And I have no other social media sites. I have better things to do such as visiting this site! As for my phone, I get hand-me-downs. When my children or grandchildren get a new phone MOH and I get their old ones. Since I use my phone only for phoning [0] and texting an ancient Nokia would probably suffice. I can't get the internot on it and funnily enough use a camera for taking pictures! As for a car I would prefer an older model that doesn't have all the bells and whistles and hence easier to service. A little 1966 Lotus Elan, a Mazda MX5 ( older model ) or even a 1960's Mini ( Cooper or Cooper S ) ( the original version with the rounded wings and not the square front of later models ) would be up there on my shopping list. I'm growing more and more against some of modern technology.

[0] Now that's a novel use for a phone.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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Sinned wrote:Jenn, I have a farcebook page but haven't visited it in years. And I have no other social media sites. I have better things to do such as visiting this site! As for my phone, I get hand-me-downs. When my children or grandchildren get a new phone MOH and I get their old ones. Since I use my phone only for phoning [0] and texting an ancient Nokia would probably suffice. I can't get the internot on it and funnily enough use a camera for taking pictures! As for a car I would prefer an older model that doesn't have all the bells and whistles and hence easier to service. A little 1966 Lotus Elan, a Mazda MX5 ( older model ) or even a 1960's Mini ( Cooper or Cooper S ) ( the original version with the rounded wings and not the square front of later models ) would be up there on my shopping list. I'm growing more and more against some of modern technology.

[0] Now that's a novel use for a phone.

Picture taking on phones is okay I prefer an actual camera as the pictures come out better. I don’t classify forums Social Media. In fact they’re like a learning experience because you can learn a lot from the different discussions you have on certain topics or issues. I’m just blown away at how many things are changing people. I can’t explain it. Like if you stay on certain Media sites it can literally drain you. For example Fox News. My father in law watches it all day every day. He gets so worked up over things he can’t change however it’s drawn him in to believing half the stuff he watches. It’s almost as if he has a device planted in his head that tells him when to watch it and for how long. Call me crazy but it’s crazy at how certain things whether it’s Social Media or television that’s ruining society. It scares me to think how our future will be years down the road. Some companies are already implanting microchips under their employees skin just to work for them.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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I must say that I've never been on -- nor will be on -- Farcebook. It seems to be a time-sink, and one that's frequently full of vitriol, angst, and bitterness -- at least if my late ex- was any example.

When it comes to mobile devices, I frequently when "challenged" about using text, or the Internot from a mobile will produce the flip-'phone I've been using for better than a decade. That always not only shuts down any sort of challenge, but increasingly gets a certain amount of appreciation and even respect. I suspect many folks are beginning to see precisely how much of a sink the on-line world is. Some may even long for the old-fashioned world of "meat-space" but find it difficult in a world where folks have forgotten things like how to carry on a conversation. Perhaps folks are turned off by being shunted out of the way by technology -- look how often a conversation is killed dead by an incoming cell' call or a text.

It would seem that we have forgotten how to be people and have become slaves to our technology.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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crfriend wrote:I must say that I've never been on -- nor will be on -- Farcebook. It seems to be a time-sink, and one that's frequently full of vitriol, angst, and bitterness -- at least if my late ex- was any example.

When it comes to mobile devices, I frequently when "challenged" about using text, or the Internot from a mobile will produce the flip-'phone I've been using for better than a decade. That always not only shuts down any sort of challenge, but increasingly gets a certain amount of appreciation and even respect. I suspect many folks are beginning to see precisely how much of a sink the on-line world is. Some may even long for the old-fashioned world of "meat-space" but find it difficult in a world where folks have forgotten things like how to carry on a conversation. Perhaps folks are turned off by being shunted out of the way by technology -- look how often a conversation is killed dead by an incoming cell' call or a text.

It would seem that we have forgotten how to be people and have become slaves to our technology.
I totally agree. Moon and I have this issue with Amber. We will be at the dinner table eating dinner and talking. Next thing we know she’s got her phone out and is glued to it. We stop talking and excuse ourselves from the table. We’re not there to compete with a phone. Friday’s when Moons not on call we go to our local pizza place. It’s a no device night. They’re to be left at home or in the car. Moon will not take you if you’re on your device. I love it because we have a great time when no ones on their phones.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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MoonsWifeJenn wrote:Tonight at the dinner table we were discussing how over the course of the years everything will eventually convert into us being on our phones for everything. Including grocery shopping.
I dont know of you noticed or not Jenn, but as I was enjoying a discussion with Amber it pretty abruptly ended when she suddenly snatched her phone and disappeared into that world...

I stopped mid sentence, got up and left. Nobody even noticed I was gone.

I refuse to speak to people when they're thubbing a phone.... and since that's all anyone really does anymore... you can imagine I don't say much these days.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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moonshadow wrote:
MoonsWifeJenn wrote:Tonight at the dinner table we were discussing how over the course of the years everything will eventually convert into us being on our phones for everything. Including grocery shopping.
I dont know of you noticed or not Jenn, but as I was enjoying a discussion with Amber it pretty abruptly ended when she suddenly snatched her phone and disappeared into that world...

I stopped mid sentence, got up and left. Nobody even noticed I was gone.

I refuse to speak to people when they're thubbing a phone.... and since that's all anyone really does anymore... you can imagine I don't say much these days.

Yes Moon I noticed that’s why I left the table. She does it quite often. This is my point in this thread it’s sad how technology is ruining people especially the teenagers.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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moonshadow wrote:I dont know of you noticed or not Jenn, but as I was enjoying a discussion with Amber it pretty abruptly ended when she suddenly snatched her phone and disappeared into that world...
Far be it from me to even attempt proper child-rearing, but my reaction to that would have been to hold my hand up and tell her to, "Put the device down. We're talking."

Bluntly, shutting down a person in your company because of an incoming message is simply rude and should not be tolerated -- all walking away does is encourage the behaviour. Set a good example and put a stop to it. Others will thank you for that in the future.
I stopped mid sentence, got up and left. Nobody even noticed I was gone.
That's what happens, and when it happens the behaviour is reinforced.
I refuse to speak to people when they're thubbing a phone.... and since that's all anyone really does anymore... you can imagine I don't say much these days.
That is unspeakably tragic.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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crfriend wrote: Far be it from me to even attempt proper child-rearing, but my reaction to that would have been to hold my hand up and tell her to, "Put the device down. We're talking."
We do... all of the time... it doesn't do a lick of good. In fact, last night I did pop a few "are you listening?" questions to which she nodded. This is just people nowadays. Its not even just the kids anymore. My mother is just as bad, that's one if the primary reasons I dont see her as often.

Some people probably assume I'm on the internet a lot. In fact, I really only do two activities online, pay bills and read this website. I also maintain a small hobby website, but I don't think that counts as "social networking" as I dont think anyone really actually reads it.

Speaking of which, it's really hard to find a good old fashioned non-blog like personal website anymore. I like your site Carl, I like the "1990s" feel of it, the clip art, the basic HTML... it's nice.

Anyway... what started our discussion yesterday was a remark about more and more places offering home delivery for take out, groceries, and so on. Before you know it, nobody will ever leave the house... we will live out our lives through a screen on a phone.

There will be no more "out and about in the world" anymore... everyone will be home.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

Post by trainspotter48 »

Yes, but whatever technology is used to facilitate this type of service, it WILL break down and need a repairman, so Carl, Moon and co. are safe for a while yet.
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Re: Exiting the Cult of Social Media

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crfriend wrote:
moonshadow wrote:I dont know of you noticed or not Jenn, but as I was enjoying a discussion with Amber it pretty abruptly ended when she suddenly snatched her phone and disappeared into that world...
Far be it from me to even attempt proper child-rearing, but my reaction to that would have been to hold my hand up and tell her to, "Put the device down. We're talking."

Bluntly, shutting down a person in your company because of an incoming message is simply rude and should not be tolerated -- all walking away does is encourage the behaviour. Set a good example and put a stop to it. Others will thank you for that in the future.
I stopped mid sentence, got up and left. Nobody even noticed I was gone.
That's what happens, and when it happens the behaviour is reinforced.
I refuse to speak to people when they're thubbing a phone.... and since that's all anyone really does anymore... you can imagine I don't say much these days.
That is unspeakably tragic.

We’ve tried Carl it’s hard. Amber’s addicted. There’s been many fights with her to put it away but she doesn’t listen. Since she’s turned 19 she has a go ____ yourself attitude when it comes to us wanting her to do something. Only way she’ll do it is if she’s in control. Don’t get us wrong we love her very much but this is my point in how technology and Social Media have ruined teenagers. All she wants to do is play on her phone.
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