http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5496754Oh my.
The large proboscised primitive, Oscar Wilde:
Cyrano (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-20-09 02:10 PM
Original message
Regarding Facebook, Twitter, and other passing fads
My guess is that no one will admit to their future grandchildren that they ever had a Facebook or Twitter account. That's assuming that their future grandchildren are even aware that such things as Facebook or Twitter ever existed.
Perhaps I'm missing some crucial gene, but I fail to understand how anyone could or would want to have anything to do with either of these entities.
Ego is one thing, but Facebook takes ego into the realm of the surreal.
And as for Twitter, I'm sure that if the world were going to end tonight, I'd hear about it without the need of a tweet.
Okay, that's my opinion regarding Facebook and Twitter. I've donned my flame-proof suit and am ready for the attacks. But be sure to print out and save your attacks on me for those unborn grandchildren. And don't be surprised when they laugh at you.
It's a big bonfire, blazing away.
benddem (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-20-09 02:12 PM
Response to Original message
1. mine too
I cannot understand why people post the things they do on facebook....and I'm simply not interested in someone having a tuna fish salad.
villager (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-20-09 02:13 PM
Response to Original message
2. As a writer, I've found both useful...(and Facebook handy for finding old friends), but I understand the critique about the solipsism, too...
The Rita Hayworth primitive:
Tangerine LaBamba (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-20-09 02:31 PM
Response to Reply #2
20. I'm a writer, too, and I would like to know how you find them useful in your work.
NeedleCast (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-20-09 02:34 PM
Response to Reply #20
21. I'm Not a Writer, but in regard to FaceBook, I know many writers have "fan" pages that seem to be useful. As an avid reader, with friends who read as well, we often share books we've enjoyed via FaceBook (and a particular FaceBook application called WeRead). I've been introduced to quite a few new writers via my friends FaceBook pages and literary suggestions.
Now one knows why franksolich has some admiration for the Rita Hayworth primitive, although not as much, of course, as for the warped primitive and Grandma:
Tangerine LaBamba (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-20-09 02:49 PM
Response to Reply #21
26. I do that, too..............
Always have, all my life. In what we call "conversations," either on the phone, or in letters or email. Or, oddly enough, in person.
Been doing it for decades now. It's worked out nicely.
What's the advantage of Facebook, besides the fact that anyone who wants to can call him/herself a "writer" and start (oh, dear!) "fan pages"? That sounds more like an exercise in ego enhancement than anything else, and not very interesting.
So, it's just another way of swapping stories about good books? That's good, then, but it's not a new thing.
I'm curious about what these entities add to the human experience. So far, besides the obvious one of locating old friends, relatives, and the like, I don't see anything new.
villager (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-20-09 02:38 PM
Response to Reply #20
24. keeping in touch with other writers, news from the field, research queries. etc..
Now -- would my writing be the same if I wasn't on either FB or Twitter?
Perhaps.
But I find them handy for keeping in touch/news-gathering reasons... (I'm also a journalist, and have been given interesting links on Twitter...)
One scents a stretchy in the bold area, above.
Tangerine LaBamba (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-20-09 02:50 PM
Response to Reply #24
28. Different from the phone, email, lunches, dinners, social occasions, meetings?
As a novelist, I find my solitude most valuable, but all the things you mention can be accomplished by other media. So, what's new with FB and Twitter?
Damn, the Rita Hayworth primitive is good.
villager (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-20-09 02:59 PM
Response to Reply #28
30. Yes, different, since a lot of these writer friends (for example)
...are scattered all over the country, so no lunches or dinners, except for certain occasions...
Different than emails -- quicker, usually. Also, you can broadcast queries, for example, and get them re-"broadcast" (or "re-Tweeted") if you need to find something out, find someone...
By no means am I insisting people *should* do these things, but they have their virtual role to play. At least, until the whole paradigm implodes, the grid falls, and we're all out in the garden!
For me -- also a novelist (for young folks) -- I am aware of allowing certain intrusions on that necessary solitude. But as a journalist, when on deadline, I conversely like the connectivity...
There must be a case of rubber bands in that primitive abode.
The dysmenopausal Kansas school teacher:
proud2BlibKansan (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-20-09 03:10 PM
Response to Original message
33. They all interfere with my time on DU
And her time on Skins's island interferes with her time teaching in the classroom.
