October 13, 2014
Social Media Backlash Now Real ?
I am meeting more and more people who used to be Social Media fans who are now trying to wean themselves into less digital interaction, seeking more head-space they can call their own. I gather that more and more people are trying to have Digital Free Weekends, or at least iPhone-free dinners. (One friend tells me that they went to a business lunch recently, and everyone had to put their iPhones into the middle of the table – with the first one to touch theirs picking up the bill. An idea that might catch on?)
Meanwhile, the Big Social Media brands have the opposite in mind. The news today that Twitter is now going live with a pay-by-tweet offer, partnering with French Bank Groupe BPCE is further confirmation (if confirmation were needed) that the brand has no intention of backing off into a quiet corner to intrude less. There are also reports that the whole point of separating Facebook Messaging as an App, was (is) as a Trojan Horse for a person-to-person payment system, controlled by Facebook. Let’s just say that many people will have mixed views on this.
I’m aware of the paradox here. I will promote this blog via social media. So who am I to throw stones? On the other hand, since trying out Digital Free Weekends for myself, all I can say is that less is more. Cards on the table: I hope there is a backlash gathering steam. I hope that we worry more about intrusion and privacy in the future. And that we all try speaking and meeting more, like what we did in the Old Days !
6 Comments
The concept of Digital-Free weekends is an interesting one, although for many social media is the best/only way to keep in touch with friends and loved one’s. And of course there’s keeping in touch with the football scores/fantasy football league/weekend accumulator! As ever, its all about balance, I’ll take your advice and we’ll see how going digital free works out this weekend…
Michael, you make a good point. I guess it’s about balance, as you say. Maybe Digital Lite or Non-Digital Dominated is the way to go (he says, using a digital medium to respond!). M : )
Interesting perspective, Mark. I have been aware of my own Pavlovian response to the red light on the Blackberry for some time – do I dread it flashing or do I dread it more when it doesn’t flash?! Consciously deciding in the last year or so that what’s going on right here and right now in front of me and for real -especially at home – matters more than what’s occurring in the SoMe alternative universe has brought many benefits. In fact I really must tweet to that effect! Have a good weekend, Digital Lite, around the harmonium with a hymn book or snap chatting like crazy!
Hi Mark – an interesting concept. I have certainly noticed it is sometimes hard to get people’s real attention whilst they have their smart phone to hand! There also seems to be a group of (mainly younger) people who live increasingly ‘virtual’ lives, charting their every move on social media, but (IMHO) actually achieving very little!
Hello Roger and Dave – good to hear that us mature-folk are at least considering fighting back ! And thanks for commenting on the blog. It’s good to test ideas and see what people think. All the best to you both. Mark : )
Interestingly, Digital Detox events made the news this lunchtime. See: http://www.unpluggedweekend.com and http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04lx0jk
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