Many of us have a love/hate relationship with social media. Let’s take a few moments to reflect on this concept: What do you love? What erks you the most? Why the dilemma? Can both be true?
I believe a big part of the dilemma is our desire for connection and self-actualization. Those are two HUGE topics to cover in this small space but I will try.
Connection is more simple, we want to connect with others; we were created for community. This is good and we are in a world where much of that connection is through a screen (texts, emails, phone calls, and social media). This is totally okay and can be good. That is something I love about social media.
The self-actualization part can be a bit more hazy. We all long for our lives to have purpose and meaning. This is good too. However, this is where social media erks me the most. Social media is NOT where we should be finding our fulfillment or purpose, and yet this is where I am often tempted for social media to affirm my personhood. The questions I find myself asking in this area are along the lines of: Am I seen? I am relevant? Do I have something to offer the world? The answers to these questions are a resounding YES but only because God has woven purpose into the very fabric of my life and yours, and NOT because some platform tells me I do through arbitrary measurements.
(I usually don't use all caps in my writing but I am feeling particularly feisty.)
I love both of your thoughts colette and barbie. I too love social media for the creativity, (although I find it more and more limiting these days), connecting with other people who's work I find interesting. On the receiver/consumer end, it's sometimes a remarkable amount of information on any given topic that can be truly helpful and lifechanging! And it can also be very shortsighted and have a false urgency to it.
What irks me I guess is the abuse of a good thing. Which is nothing new haha. Although I don't trust the men upstairs at "Meta" as far as I could throw a stick.
I do wonder if all this public sharing will one day come back to haunt us. With such a broad platform, I have to be careful with what I watch/ read and very self aware of what I'm feeling in my body. During the George Floyd protests, I consumed so much social media, I physically felt ill for about 3 days. The lie that I tell myself in those situations is the more I know and understand, the more I'm in the right. I was anxious and angry, not seeking the peace and wisdom of the Lord.
Anyway, I'm glad we have the rest of the week to process this bc clearly there's alot there!
I recently read the book “12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You” by Tony Reinke. What I loved about the book, is that it didn’t just condemn social media; it discussed all of the great things about it, and areas for discernment in using it as a Christian. I was surprised that a book written about the pitfalls of social media technology could be so beautiful and inspiring. I love social media for the sharing of beauty, creativity, faith and wisdom. I love being able to keep in touch with friends and family who do not live near me. I love being able to share my creativity with people. What irks me, is when people use it to troll. And sometimes, those trolls are friends and family. For some of my relationships, social media has brought us closer together, and others, it has driven a wedge. I decided long ago to quit engaging/sharing political commentary on social media, or even post anything negative—even if it’s joking—because I don’t want to have touchy conversations over the internet with people who I don’t trust, and people who are not kind. I do not shy away from sharing my faith, and I have been picked at by people for doing so. I generally don’t “unfollow” people because I disagree with something they share (unless it starts robbing me of peace) but it is hurtful, sometimes, when people you respect as leaders of faith, or loved ones share things that make fun of, or condemn my faith or way of life. I’m not opposed to respectful discourse—but I think too many are far too careless and quick with their words.
I believe a big part of the dilemma is our desire for connection and self-actualization. Those are two HUGE topics to cover in this small space but I will try.
Connection is more simple, we want to connect with others; we were created for community. This is good and we are in a world where much of that connection is through a screen (texts, emails, phone calls, and social media). This is totally okay and can be good. That is something I love about social media.
The self-actualization part can be a bit more hazy. We all long for our lives to have purpose and meaning. This is good too. However, this is where social media erks me the most. Social media is NOT where we should be finding our fulfillment or purpose, and yet this is where I am often tempted for social media to affirm my personhood. The questions I find myself asking in this area are along the lines of: Am I seen? I am relevant? Do I have something to offer the world? The answers to these questions are a resounding YES but only because God has woven purpose into the very fabric of my life and yours, and NOT because some platform tells me I do through arbitrary measurements.
(I usually don't use all caps in my writing but I am feeling particularly feisty.)
I love both of your thoughts colette and barbie. I too love social media for the creativity, (although I find it more and more limiting these days), connecting with other people who's work I find interesting. On the receiver/consumer end, it's sometimes a remarkable amount of information on any given topic that can be truly helpful and lifechanging! And it can also be very shortsighted and have a false urgency to it.
What irks me I guess is the abuse of a good thing. Which is nothing new haha. Although I don't trust the men upstairs at "Meta" as far as I could throw a stick.
I do wonder if all this public sharing will one day come back to haunt us. With such a broad platform, I have to be careful with what I watch/ read and very self aware of what I'm feeling in my body. During the George Floyd protests, I consumed so much social media, I physically felt ill for about 3 days. The lie that I tell myself in those situations is the more I know and understand, the more I'm in the right. I was anxious and angry, not seeking the peace and wisdom of the Lord.
Anyway, I'm glad we have the rest of the week to process this bc clearly there's alot there!
I recently read the book “12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You” by Tony Reinke. What I loved about the book, is that it didn’t just condemn social media; it discussed all of the great things about it, and areas for discernment in using it as a Christian. I was surprised that a book written about the pitfalls of social media technology could be so beautiful and inspiring. I love social media for the sharing of beauty, creativity, faith and wisdom. I love being able to keep in touch with friends and family who do not live near me. I love being able to share my creativity with people. What irks me, is when people use it to troll. And sometimes, those trolls are friends and family. For some of my relationships, social media has brought us closer together, and others, it has driven a wedge. I decided long ago to quit engaging/sharing political commentary on social media, or even post anything negative—even if it’s joking—because I don’t want to have touchy conversations over the internet with people who I don’t trust, and people who are not kind. I do not shy away from sharing my faith, and I have been picked at by people for doing so. I generally don’t “unfollow” people because I disagree with something they share (unless it starts robbing me of peace) but it is hurtful, sometimes, when people you respect as leaders of faith, or loved ones share things that make fun of, or condemn my faith or way of life. I’m not opposed to respectful discourse—but I think too many are far too careless and quick with their words.