Social media. Now before you say anything I know that "social media" is not a sentence on its own, but why complain about that? I mean it's not a lot of things, and yet it's replaced things it really shouldn't have (get angry!). No this is not going to be a social media bashing post about how its taking over the world, but it is (like most of my posts) going to be a very opinionated (yet objective) view on what it has done, what it has the potential to do and why we most definitely should not let it take over the world. Social media is a vast and in some cases untapped tool it is a brilliant invention that should be praised and looked at with hopeful eyes. It should not however be worshiped or turned into an addictive drug! This scary powerful tool that was gifted to us by a few very intelligent minds is precious and used correctly can aid us in succeeding in ways and speeds never before reachable or at least that where a lot more difficult to reach in the past. I mean in the way of awesome social media is the bees knees, with the ability to support what ever it is you believe in with just a few key words and clicks. For example, if you wanted to donate to your favorite charity (like I don't know, This star won't go out or water.org or kiva! links to all of these will be below!) you can! Say you want to create a community that shares your interests or hobbies, or you have a great idea and need a little help getting it off the ground, you can! All of this was made possible by social media and the intelligence and ingenuity to use it to its potential.
Now with all of its wonders (and there are oh so many) there are pit falls as well. More and more because of several reasons social media is becoming the soul means of interaction and communication, and I understand that in some cases the connectivity of it is a huge benefit. For example, (with out using names) a dear dear friend of mine uses Facebook as the only means to stay in contact with her husband who happens to be over seas fighting for this country and I know that is the case for a good number of people. However, that is not the case for everybody and yet the numbers of people who are able to go out and meet there friends and family in person or at the very least call them at any moment they choose, are opting for the cold impersonal medium of social media. It is becoming a problem. I see more and more kids playing video games and surfing Facebook or Youtube or Twitter instead of going out side and participating in sports or just playing games like tag or kick ball. I fear, my friends, that the ways of my generation's childhood are quickly going extinct, and that is a pretty scary thought. Now I have come to conclude that if and when I have children I will want them to have a similar childhood to mine (with less TV and junk food.. hindsight right?) however with more and more of my generation A: having kids way too early and B: fully embracing this digital world, I also fear that I am a dying breed and that my children will be of a select few that aren't completely consumed by this digital entity. I've side tracked way too much, what was I saying? Oh right, as awesome as social media is, it also has a few downsides.
Bottom line you aren't evil or unproductive if you use social media (infact in a lot of cases the exact opposite is true) but if you do indulge in the interactive inter web take time to make sure it doesn't become your only kind of social interaction (unless absolutely nessecary, obviously). So social media, draw your own opinions. Think I'm wrong? Tell me, absolutely 100% agree? Tell the world! Haha but seriously! If your feeling kind, pass my blog around, and let me know how I can help you in your indevers!
(So as promised here are the links to the totally awesome and worth your time causes, Water.org , This Star Won’t Go Out Foundation and last but not least www.kiva.org go! Be generous! Be awesome!)
Sincerely yours
James C. Romo.
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