Top 10 Reasons to Rethink Your Involvement in Social Media

Okay, having a little fun today. But I'm thinking through social media strategy for 2009 and this list came to mind...

1. Your spouse discovers new things about you on your blog.
2. You have separation anxiety with your iPhone.
3. You have a Vimeo AND a YouTube account for the SAME videos.
4. You get mad at people who call you when they could've twittered.
5. You think people who "friend you" are really your friends.
6. Your most frequented website is a visitor stats page.
7. Half of your web searches involve your own name.
8. You don't read "the Bible" anymore; you clarify "YouVersion."
9. You see it as a way to vindicate social trauma in high school.
10. If they made a statue of you, it would be you hunkered over a computer.

Comments

[John Bryson]

I know you are having fun with this...but I think this is actually a far more serious problem or potential problem than any of us could ever imagine.

I think one of the most powerful responsibilities of a leader is to be PRESENT. In the moment. In the conversation. Here. Engaged.

I think the biggest modern enemies to HERE and PRESENT are these social media outlets that tempt me to always be somewhere else.

I would touch on the narcissism that would assume you'd want to know that I'm fixing to work out but I'll leave that one alone.

We can also unpack the "noise" of social media and its effects on discernment, clarity, real thinking, creativity, prayer, etc.

[dewde]

#3 - Apples and oranges my friend.

#10 - If they make a statue of me it had better be a perfectly chiseled MacBook Pro displaying my Facebook profile.

peace|dewde

[Scott Cheatham]

*LOL* Quite true Ben. Thanks for the laugh!

[zak]

ben,

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT...I mean...wait...why am I commenting on a blog...social media bad! NO!

[Ben Arment]

I've been catching myself with computer in-hand at home... at night... with my kids around me.

What tha?

Spending virtual time with other people at the expense of my fam?!!

C'mon.

Social media is like sand that pours between the rocks of a person's time.

I obviously have a love/hate relationship with it.

[daniel d]

Haha. Great list and one far too many of us can relate to.

I read a quote once that touched on this perfectly, especially in light of John's note about being PRESENT.

"Technology allows you to be anywhere at any time, except where you are."

While I agree partially, I do think it's more about discipline and intent. For example, my intent on Twitter is not to create my own brand or get a ton of followers, but if that happens in the process then great. I like Twitter because of the ability to follow others, to learn from them and to use online tools to create offline connections. Call me crazy but I honestly care about fostering relationships and creating two way communication. Social media is just a tool to help that. On occasion I even do a local city search and add local people who I don't know so I can connect with others in a different way. Can't tell ya how many contacts I have made from Twitter alone that have already proven really valuable in many ways.

I try to rarely let my social media addictions compete with being present. IF I Twitter or check the web (blogs, Facebook, etc) during family time then it’s usually between the moments when I do so from my phone if I am waiting on the kids or my wife, etc. Often I involve the kids in it as well. Showing them what it is and allowing them to read others updates. Telling them about Perry Noble or Pete Wilson having larger than usual church attendance, etc. Matter of fact, we just did a TokBox video conferencing last night with the kids and some of their friends in another state. Was hilarious.

All that to say... It’s all in what you make of it or allow it to make of you I guess.

[Gavin Baker]

I completely agree Ben - while it may be in jest, it's also quite true. My goals for 2009 include intentional use of twitter, facebook, linkedin and my iPhone.

I met with a guy recently who had a theology of technology, it was awesome to hear about it - and the crux of it was that technology should serve the church, not vice -versa.

In the same way my technology interactions open awesome doors. I've met and made some awesome relationships and friends from twitter and blogging. But I want to utilize technology to build community, to build friendship, not to cheapen it.

My first step is that when I'm in conversation or a meeting with someone, I won't take my phone out. I just wont check it because I want to be focused on the time I have with that person. Not a perfect step, but a step.

[daniel d]

I don't mean to coop Ben’s blog here today but I want to echo Gavin's response.

Not from a rude standpoint but I try to always remember that my cell phone is for MY convenience, not everyone else’s. Same goes for email, etc (to a degree).

I turn my phone off in meetings, lunches with others, etc. I turn it off or just leave it in another room at night when it's family time (in most cases).

There's very little in life that requires an immediate response. We just tend to make it that way.

[Duncan]

very funny, thanks

[perrin]

@ #6 - "Your most frequented website is a visitor stats page." This is especially depressing if your blog averages 1 to 2 visitors per day, and 1 of those is probably you visiting your own blog. HAHAHAHA!!!

[Jason Jeong]

aww crap =)

[Curt]

You ask your congregation to pull out their iphones and crackberrys and flick to James 2 in youversion.