I shouldn’t be writing this blog post of taking time to read Facebook, pin things on Pinterest or Tweet at the Conman-In-Chief.
That is because Old Jack Steiner has to finish packing for a business trip and this blogging thing isn’t going to help him finish the job.
The thing is that Old Jack Steiner has one hell of a stomach ache which may or may not be related to the trip.
Blame the uncertainty on the beauty of having a dysfunctional digestive system, sometimes you just don’t know.
The Great Social Media Crash Of 2017
Given the enormous anger and rage surrounding the US and much of the world I am wondering if 2017 might mark the year the social media crash.
In other words, will it be the year we run out of energy and time to be outraged and or outrageous on social media.
You might wonder if I am mean that to be tongue-in-cheek and the answer is, sort of.
If I take some of the comments friends and family are making there is some truth to the question of whether it has become exhausting to hang out on some platforms.
As a father I find myself wondering how much of the anger is spilling over and into the platforms my kids use.
Are they seeing/feeling it and if so, what sort of impact is it having upon them?
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When my kids were really little we were very careful about what we said around them because we didn’t want them to be exposed to certain things before they had to be.
That changed as they got older, especially once they got cellphones and computers because once the barn door opened we knew the horses would go running.
That is not to say we stopped monitoring because that never happens but our and your ability is limited, especially in the middle and high school where it is common for kids to have easy access to the ‘Net.
Fight Or Flight
The kids and I have had multiple conversations about when to stand and when to run.
We have talked about figuring out the value of winning the battle and losing the war and vice versa. I have always thought about it as being important, but lately it has increased in value.
That is because when people tell me they find social media to be exhausting I ask why they are still there and what they hope to accomplish.
If you are not paid to be online then your presence is a choice and if that choice hurts you, well you know where this is going.
Anyhoo some have told me they think it is important to keep pushing out certain messages and fear what happens if they take time away from the platforms they reside upon.
My response is always the same, we’re in a marathon and not a sprint. If you want to last you have to find a way to take care of yourself.
It is really not any different from the conversation I have with the kids.
Don’t mistake that to sound like I am saying I am better or smarter than the next guy because that isn’t it.
Hell, I am the guy who likes to argue and will fight for months but as I have grown older I have learned to be more judicious in who gets my time.
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Speaking of flight I have to go finish getting ready for mine.
I used to love flying but it is not something that I particularly enjoy anymore. We’ll save the how and why for a later date and say I hope the plane isn’t stuffed to the gills.
Be good to each other and I’ll see you around the comments.
Actually I rather agree with you. I think people are trending AWAY from social with all the hate out there these days. Too much noise!
All that negativity takes a toll.
I’m finding so many blogs are talking politics (I have at times too) that I am reading less. I need a break from the constant analysis and opinions.
It is hard to be slammed with it all the time. I can’t say I am not contributing to the noise either, because I certainly have added some to it.