Back when Facebook started, I asked one of my best friends about staying connected through any chat platform. He pointed out, "I don't even have enough time for the friends and family that do matter to me right now. If they REALLY want to stay connected with me, they will find a way."
We've known each other for 20 years and still talk on a daily basis. We're not on Facebook or Twitter.
Agreed; MANY folks feel they're dependent on these online platforms whatever the reason may be. It's not like we haven't had other means of keeping up with those who ARE WORTH MAINTAINING relationships with but that's a whole other can of interpersonal worms.
I firmly believe the advent of platforms like these has obliterated the real, human-to-human communities people had not that long ago despite their decline having been ongoing for decades at least. Technology only sped it up exponentially, much to the ruling class' glee.
Lead by example, and if they won't meet you halfway in maintaining the relationship then they aren't worth the time. This is a hard and terrible pill to swallow for those that believe that family is/should be inseparable, yet have abusive and manipulative family members/friends that really should be cut-out.
Then again, anything worth having isn't easily gained.
Most of my family is in Europe with 8 hr difference. Texting sucks (and costs a lot internationally). Calling ditto. Visiting - ditto. WhatsApp and Skype work quite well.
My main point was to convey, we have lots of options. FB and Twitter going away or blocking is far from the end of the world.
I was just talking to my sister, their school group is flagged on Facebook because they asked questions about curriculum. I told her to have an alternate forum ready, they will shut them down.
This is very true. My entire family is leftist and I am not on any social media platform with them.
However, we all stay in touch via group chat on our phones and sharing pictures of family through that means. It was the only way I could stay close to them. When I had the platforms I found myself hating them because I was viewing their rants on politics. We all agreed no politics or religious discussion in the family chats. That is sad of course but at least I won't lose my family whom I do love.
I stopped posting to FB back in March 2020. Never announced I was leaving, just stopped posting. Out of my 300+ friends, fewer than 5 have contacted me via text or messenger since then. I only still have my personal page so I can manage my business page. I don’t miss it, and my real friends have kept in contact. Good riddance to it.
Back when Facebook started, I asked one of my best friends about staying connected through any chat platform. He pointed out, "I don't even have enough time for the friends and family that do matter to me right now. If they REALLY want to stay connected with me, they will find a way."
We've known each other for 20 years and still talk on a daily basis. We're not on Facebook or Twitter.
Agreed; MANY folks feel they're dependent on these online platforms whatever the reason may be. It's not like we haven't had other means of keeping up with those who ARE WORTH MAINTAINING relationships with but that's a whole other can of interpersonal worms.
I firmly believe the advent of platforms like these has obliterated the real, human-to-human communities people had not that long ago despite their decline having been ongoing for decades at least. Technology only sped it up exponentially, much to the ruling class' glee.
Lead by example, and if they won't meet you halfway in maintaining the relationship then they aren't worth the time. This is a hard and terrible pill to swallow for those that believe that family is/should be inseparable, yet have abusive and manipulative family members/friends that really should be cut-out.
Then again, anything worth having isn't easily gained.
You know what I do to reach out to people? I do one of three things:
Text them.
Call them.
Visit them IRL.
Believe me or not, it actually works.
Most of my family is in Europe with 8 hr difference. Texting sucks (and costs a lot internationally). Calling ditto. Visiting - ditto. WhatsApp and Skype work quite well.
I'm happy to hear you have options.
My main point was to convey, we have lots of options. FB and Twitter going away or blocking is far from the end of the world.
I was just talking to my sister, their school group is flagged on Facebook because they asked questions about curriculum. I told her to have an alternate forum ready, they will shut them down.
This is very true. My entire family is leftist and I am not on any social media platform with them.
However, we all stay in touch via group chat on our phones and sharing pictures of family through that means. It was the only way I could stay close to them. When I had the platforms I found myself hating them because I was viewing their rants on politics. We all agreed no politics or religious discussion in the family chats. That is sad of course but at least I won't lose my family whom I do love.
I stopped posting to FB back in March 2020. Never announced I was leaving, just stopped posting. Out of my 300+ friends, fewer than 5 have contacted me via text or messenger since then. I only still have my personal page so I can manage my business page. I don’t miss it, and my real friends have kept in contact. Good riddance to it.