As you might know, almost a year ago, I made a big change in my use of social media – I segregated my social graph – work related stuff moved to LinkedIn and Twitter, and personal friends only on Facebook. Now, I have taken the next step, and made somewhat of a momentous decision. I’m not alone – Jon Stahl did this before me, and I know there are others. There are plenty of people who never entered these waters at all.
I have been fairly conflicted about this for a while. There are things I really like about Twitter, Identi.ca, Buzz, etc. I like being connected to the nptech community, and learning what’s happening. I really like reaching out and getting questions answered. But, being on those networks has taken it’s toll on me. It’s time spent I need for other things. It’s an influx of information in my brain that I really don’t need. And I’m sure people really don’t need to hear what I think or what I’m doing in 140 characters or less.
Most of the reason I named this blog “Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology” is that I am very interested in the ethical and spiritual dimensions of technology in general, and nonprofit technology in particular. And I’m very interested in the way my work affects me and my life.
Thomas Merton, one of the people I look to for wisdom once said:
When I speak of the contemplative life … I am talking about a special dimension of inner discipline and experience, a certain integrity and fullness of personal development, which are not compatible with a purely external, alienated, busy-busy existence.
(By “alienated” he meant alienated from ourselves.) For me (and only for me - I’m not making any generalizations for others) this being almost always-on connected to the 140 characters-or-less social networks lead me to an external, alienated, busy-busy existence – the opposite of the direction I want to go.
So … I deleted my Four Square account, and I disconnected varied things from my twitter account. I won’t be using the 1/2 dozen or social media accounts that I have. I won’t be tweeting really anymore. I haven’t deleted my twitter account, so if you DM me, I’ll still get an SMS telling me. But I won’t be watching it for the most part.
I’ll miss the banter, and the exchange. I’ll miss the easy answers. I won’t miss the barrage of info I don’t need, or the time spent. And, I’ll still be blogging. Although it likely won’t be on too many up-to-the-minute news items (like the recent Ning Thing) because I’ll be paying less attention to those goings on, and more attention to other, deeper things.
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I feel you! Not new media related, but I’ve been taking a TV break for the last couple of days, and the days pass by more pleasantly and contemplatively when I’m not shouted at in 10 minute segments with commercial breaks.
Congratulations, Michelle! Welcome to the other side! It’s pretty nice out here in the unconnected wilds. See you around!
Oh man, you’re leaving twitter?!!!!!!
Who are you? ;)
Everything you say makes total sense to me. I made a similar decision some years ago to watch/read as few ads as possible. We canceled our cable (and we don’t get local tv), and it’s been a really welcome change. We only watch DVDs now, and even minimize how much we use Hulu.
In terms of tech/spirituality (a topic I love, too), I kind of like the weird chaotic river-like randomness of Twitter. It makes me feel connected to other people in this messy way that resonates with me somehow. But it is really, really distracting, and I have to shut it down on days when I need to get a lot done. It’s hard to resist, and it fragments as many thoughts as new ideas it sparks. Like anything, it is good and bad.
In any case, good for you for putting your well-being first! (I know I always say that, but I believe it.)
May I still yell ‘Pearlbear’ across a crowded hotel lobby at 11NTC? ;)
I’ll be watching the blog — I’m excited to see how this works for you.
@Jana, actually, I was pearlbear looooong before twitter. It was (and still is, when I visit) my IRC nick, since like 1990. So yeah, still yell “Pearlbear”. :-)
You’re not in the wild until you get rid of your cell phone. I’ve never felt more free!
Nice to see the comments here from other people who are “switching off”. I gave up television years ago, but this year it finally occurred to me that all the time I spend using the computer in my free time (mostly surfing the net) is really just as much a drug as TV. So I’m cutting down on that too, and it feels great!
Hi Michelle – Interesting post, especially to come across it today on the “official” Quite Facebook Day. I blogged about this post on Kabissa to share with African organizations. Something for us all to reflect about. Link: http://bit.ly/bH0rUY
Thanks,
Tobias