Twitter and Instagram

[liberatordeluxe]

Has anyone felt much happier for deleting social media from their lives? Do you feel you miss out by not doing it? I have had a Twitter and Instagram account but unless your a celebrity or business i don't see the point of it. Just wondered if there were others who like myself prefer to live in the moment and not live their life online?

Happy New Year to everyone xx

 

[gusherb]

I go on Twitter once a week at most, Instagram 2-3 times a week and FB maybe once a month if that. I closed my FB account for over a year starting in July 2016 and haven't missed it since.

 

[petek]

I don't have a cell/smart phone by choice. However I do sometimes spend a lot of time on Facebook groups that I'm interested in like our local history groups, local photog group, a couple of vac and typewriter groups. Usually what happens is someone in these groups posts about something and then I end up googling it, and falling down the rabbit hole reading about whatever it was on other web pages because it's interesting. Next thing,, hours have passed LOL. I don't watch much tv as I'd rather be reading up on things. I don't think it's really any different than if you were sitting downtown at the library researching things , although now you get to do it in the comfort of your own home. But crap like texting etc.. haven't got the will for that.

 

[liberatordeluxe]

If there was a Facebook group for this id be interested. What does Twitter and Instagram do though that Facebook doesn't?

 

[maytag85]

I should honestly spend a little less time on Twitter and Instagram. I actually started to post pictures of vintage washers and dryers on my Instagram. Sometimes I spend just as much time on AW as I do on Twitter and Instagram

 

[spacepig]

I spend way too much time on Facebook, but don't have a twitter or instagram account. There are "groups" on FB that you can belong to, and there is a Vintage Stove and a Vintage Refrigerator group, as well as groups for a lot of other things. FB also has a marketplace for buying and selling, so I look on there a lot for things that I may be interested in (as well as folks here).

 

[rp2813]

I have never bothered with any of them.  I did get a phone with a QWERTY keyboard several years ago because at that time it was necessary for me to have texting capability.  I still have that same phone.  I don't need all of the garbage that comes with an iPhone or other "smart" device that reduces its user to a needlessly distracted street, sidewalk or shopping cart hazard nitwit who thinks they're entitled to put others in danger or otherwise inconvenience them.

 

I'm currently trying to track down a Blackberry Priv that works on Verizon's (or any other CDMA) network.  I'm tired of smart phone people who don't follow my advice to use e-mail when sending me anything I need to view, so it's time to give in.  My current phone only displays an image in thumbnail size unless I take a bunch of extra steps to modify it -- and it's rarely worth the effort.  Full size viewing would facilitate deletion on the spot.  The Blackberry Priv is no-nonsense re:  the stupid apps junk and has both a glass and a tactile keyboard.  Just like on washing machines, stoves and microwave ovens, I hate smooth touchpads, so the tactile keyboard is a must for me.

 

[revvinkevin]

I got sucked into the rabbit hole that is facebook a number of years ago.   It didn't take long to get really fed up with it for many reasons, and decided I'd had enough.   I "tried" to delete my profile a little over 6 years ago and after going the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">multiple levels</span> of "Are you sure?... Are you really sure?.... Are you really, really, really sure?" and clicked the final "yes" it said "Well, OK... but if you change your mind, just log in again and your profile will be right here."  ARRRGGG!!   So I then stripped, removed and deleted all of the info, data and photos I possibly could from my profile, clicked the final "yes" again and haven't looked back.

 

I suppose FB can be a good thing(?) for keeping in touch with distant family and friends spread around the globe.  My other half is able to communicate very easily (texts, audio and video calls at no additional cost) with his family 7400 miles away.

 

The down side (aside from privacy and them storing every bit of info about you) is SO MANY people have NO idea how to, or can be bothered with trying to communicate via ANY of the "normal" methods (phone calls, email, snail mail, texts)... unless it's through FB, because it's such a huge part if their "life".  (No animosity there...)

 

As for twitter, tumblr, instagram, myspace, foursquare, google+, pinterest and the plethora of others out there..... I'm sorry, but I have a life and have better things to do with my time.

 

[this post was last edited: 1/3/2018-15:14]

 

[liberatordeluxe]

Didn't realise my post would attract as much interest but its good to read different opinions.

I am with you @ RevvinKevin as in i have zero interest in any social media. I love technology and computers but for me i much prefer using Skype, Snapchat, email, texting, phoning and letters to communicate with. I would have no one to add to Facebook as don't have any REAL trustworthy friends so can't see the point. You don't go on Facebook to make new friends do you.

 

[warmsecondrinse]

I haven't been on FB in almost a year, that said. I do see some benefits:
- locating/forming interest groups that might be difficult otherwise
- keeping abreast of family/friends in distant places. I'll be honest, instant messaging with cousins when it used to take 6 weeks for a letter to go one way is still a major thrill.
- An increasing number of professional networking seems to be done on FB. No, I have NO idea how that works so please don't ask.

Twitter: I don't have an account and really can't answer, lol.

Instagram: I've just set up an account and am just learning. It seems similar to FB except it comes in more limited doses....

All three are used more and more by different professions.... No. I really don't understand how that all works.

 

[turquoisedude]

I had been on Facebook, left, then came back for one reason - it has been a good way to stay in touch with overseas relatives.  When Hubby has been unreachable due to travel, his sister in the UK can contact me to relay information in the case of an emergency (and it's happened, believe me!).

 

On the other hand, I'm part of a couple of mid-century collector groups (one is based in Québec) and I've used this platform for selling vintage items successfully - so there is at least some use to it as long as you don't have "friends" who constantly send those 'type YES and share' messages!  

 

[kb0nes]

Facebook is a great resource. Handy to keep in touch with friends and family on a day to day basis. Also there are many special interest groups that take the old "email list" to the next level. In many ways the groups are even better from a usability standpoint then forums like this. The thing I think all forums need is the ability to "tag" a user in a post so they get a notification to get their attention. I have a couple secret groups set up that are very handy ways to communicate with a close group of friends and share photos, videos and attachments. Our pool team communicates exclusively via facebook.

Instagram is a nifty form of social media also. It tends to be a bit more artistic and as a photographer I enjoy sharing there. It also tends to be the least confrontational of any of the social media outlets I have been around much.

Twitter I use very little but I joined up to hold my name in case I ever wanted to use it. I do use it to follow various companies, bands and venues for notifications. It is very useful for that.

All social media is what you make of it. There will be people that WILL annoy you, how you react to that is entirely under your own control. How much you choose to interact with social media is yours to control too. I frown on the idea that "I have a life, so I don't need social media", that is just silly as used correctly it can enrich ones life. Imagine saying I have a life so I don't need a telephone, or TV or any other technology that is taken for granted, that just sounds silly.

Of course we are all free to do as we want, so chart your own path. The Internet is just the CB on TV, a global forum for people that often don't have much to say. The beauty is finding that gem in the rough. The Internet and "social media" brought this group together years ago, I suppose it isn't all bad eh?

 

[liberatordeluxe]

Facebook probably the most practical in terms of social media as you can message, video call and belong to groups all in one.

 

[kb0nes]

Every social media platform is a different tool in its own way. Last I looked in my toolbox, I have lots of wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, hammers etc, all because they do different jobs. No reason not to use more then one social media 'tool'