 |
Gratuitous holiday shot |
One thing I noticed acutely while I was away, with minimal internet access, was how addicted to social media I am. I thought to myself on arriving at a beautiful destination – ‘it’d be great to check-in here so my friends and family can follow our holiday’ or ‘I wish I could post a status about how amazing that pizza was!’
But it also got me thinking about social media, and why it’s such an integral part of many of our lives today. There are a couple of perspectives on this – some say that the use of social media is narcissistic, that users seek approval from others, only update to ‘show off’ to others about their lives and that the very process is self-centric. On the other hand, I view social media as a way to track my life and share it with my loved ones – many of whom live hundreds of miles away.
The types of places people choose to check in interest me immensely. Sure, if you’re at an amazing restaurant or exciting event, check in! In fact, often comments are received back asking how it is or sharing past experiences. But I often notice mundane places on people’s feeds – work, airports, even public transportation are becoming increasingly common in my news feed. Do I need to know my friends are there? probably not. Does it make their life sound better? Nope. Do you need to track that you attended work each day? It’d be easier to remember the days you weren't there!
Do these types of check ins signify a habit? A learned behavior that’s just become second nature? Or just not enough else to do!
The sub-conscious reasons people use social networks are many and varied, but it sure is interesting throwing motivations around!
Excuse me, I’m off to check in.
I personally dont get the whole idea of checking in. I dont mind if a friend checks me in somewhere but I dont do it myself. I actually find it a little intrusive, I feel like people can already basically follow my every action by my status up dates why on earth would I provide them with the ability to follow my every physical move as well?
ReplyDeleteI think this re-sparks that age old discussion about Facebook being a space to stalk people. And check-ins to me are a huge enabler of this!
I don't check in either and as with @Sonika, don't mind people check me in. However next time I fly somewhere I will check in and will be very unhappy of the airline doesn't give me a gift for checking in. In fact, a whole new set of golf clubs would be great!
ReplyDeleteRoss
Love the gratuitous holiday shot! So jealous. I once remember a family friend of my dad who had contracted polio as a kid and went on to have an amazing and fulfilling family oriented life and he wrote his own biography. I remember as a teen thinking, wow that'd be cool, writing a biography so my children, friends and family new about my own unique life adventure. And that's what I reckon the appeal of facebook is for me - knowing that in a way I'm cataloguing how I've chosen to live life and that it will go on, even when my mind and body is no longer present :)
ReplyDelete