A couple of days ago, I decided to give this blog a new title. "Natalie's Blog," while certainly appropriate given that, well, it's my blog, never seemed really creative enough. I wanted a title that was creative and reflected the overall theme of my postings, or that reflected my overall approach to this thing called blogging. Well, as it so happens, a few days ago I started making a list of all the social networking-orientated Web services that I either actively participate in or have signed up for at one time but have since given up the ghost. I realized just how overwhelming this list really is. I highly recommend this exercise if you are at all curious about the extent of your own online presence.
My thinking has evolved lately around just why I am intimidated by the prospect of having too ubiquitous of an online presence. For one thing, I am a bit of an introvert in the online environment (see my Twitter as Public Brainstorming post). I am not an advocate for "keeping all your eggs in one basket," so to speak, when it comes to online networking vs. private life. I do recognize that there's probably no looking back in today's global environment in terms of the necessity of maintaining an online presence and of nurturing healthy connections with others through this medium. But I am also an advocate for simplicity - ultimately, I believe that technology should not feel like technology, it should just be a natural part of our lives (and of course, in my field, a natural part of teaching and learning). Services like Twitter and Flickr truly fit this model - they have a singular purpose and a low barrier to entry. LinkedIn and Facebook, while more complex and revealing of personal information, are so ubiquitious that to not join them is to miss out on positive networking opportunities (not to mention both have privacy controls that are somewhat reassuring). So I guess the two questions I ask myself when I consider a new service and adding to my social networking list are:
That brings me to what I hope will be the last point I make in this post. A change that I have had to make in my own modus operandi in this uber-connected world is that I've had to learn to not be afraid to hurt other people's feelings. If you invite me to join you on some new social networking service, and I don't take you up right away, it's not you, it's me. I have a lot of respect for my colleagues and friends who are willing to be pioneers and try these new things. And I am honored to be thought of along the way.
Thoughts are welcomed and encouraged.
My thinking has evolved lately around just why I am intimidated by the prospect of having too ubiquitous of an online presence. For one thing, I am a bit of an introvert in the online environment (see my Twitter as Public Brainstorming post). I am not an advocate for "keeping all your eggs in one basket," so to speak, when it comes to online networking vs. private life. I do recognize that there's probably no looking back in today's global environment in terms of the necessity of maintaining an online presence and of nurturing healthy connections with others through this medium. But I am also an advocate for simplicity - ultimately, I believe that technology should not feel like technology, it should just be a natural part of our lives (and of course, in my field, a natural part of teaching and learning). Services like Twitter and Flickr truly fit this model - they have a singular purpose and a low barrier to entry. LinkedIn and Facebook, while more complex and revealing of personal information, are so ubiquitious that to not join them is to miss out on positive networking opportunities (not to mention both have privacy controls that are somewhat reassuring). So I guess the two questions I ask myself when I consider a new service and adding to my social networking list are:
If something fails the simplicity test, then it better meet the needs test or I'll likely pass on the service for now. Not to say that I wouldn't reconsider in the future - I am flexible like that. But for now, the executive decision is a no-go.
- Is it simple to use or will it require an investment of time and effort to get up and running in the new environment?
- Does it fill some need of mine that is not being met very well by some other service or method I use to stay connected?
That brings me to what I hope will be the last point I make in this post. A change that I have had to make in my own modus operandi in this uber-connected world is that I've had to learn to not be afraid to hurt other people's feelings. If you invite me to join you on some new social networking service, and I don't take you up right away, it's not you, it's me. I have a lot of respect for my colleagues and friends who are willing to be pioneers and try these new things. And I am honored to be thought of along the way.
Thoughts are welcomed and encouraged.
Natalie,
I love the "it's not you - it's me" way of thinking. It seems like people are so easily offended or hurt in these social networking communities. I find myself often unfollowing people or choosing not to participate for no reason other than that I need something different. I respect everyone's right to do what they feel is best, but I expect that respect in return as well.
This was a great post. I too tried making a list of every social networking community I was signed up for and gave up on it too!
I appreciate the points in this thoughtful post, as well as the new blog title. I will take your test points into account when faced with the next social application.