Browsing is killing the blog

Since I've got my hands on a computer I'd better blog - and hurry before motherly duties take over - it has become such a rare occasion for many reasons. Mainly because of less spare time and no free hands. Then the Iphone from sexy papa Pete comes in handy. I have most of my internet experience these days through that amazing tool with its touchscreen keyboard and palm fitting screen - but this also means I have changed my internet habits. Now I mainly browse and occasionally post short sentences or comments here and there instead of writing long, thought-through posts or writing good emails. Its in vogue Im told. That's were we are all heading. Its like people don't have any focus anymore or can't concentrate more than a few minutes at a time. The internet is changing us and so are the new computers (iphones or even ipads), but its not only about how we use the medium.

People dont get tired of criticizing Facebook, twitter and other social media.  The big, bad internet is so addictive you can't help yourself and ultimately it will destroy us all (all this written on blogs of course) 

(See the blog written by an uknown "Therapist for the stars" entitled: "Is your facebook addiction a sign of Loneliness" or the viewpoint so often expressed now, that if you have a social page you will never, EVER find a job: "Facebook wants to destroy you!") 

Yes, we've all heard about people who get fired for lying to their employer being sick and then post party pictures the same day on FACEBOOK - not clever, be careful because its the working person's worst enemy. Now we're even being told that having too much personal information on your page might discourage future employers to hire you. A private joke between friends might hurt your future professional plans but is that fair?  You can't possibly control what comes up when you're "googled". And does it mean we have to stop having any profile online? There are few people who have never appeared on a photo or been mentioned somewhere on the world wide web. You can't escape it unless you live in a cave without a wireless connection. Isn't it more important to make a distinctive difference between personal and professional space? Online as well as offline. 

I know many people might consider I have a slight Facebook addiction (According to the therapist checking it more than an hour a day is being addicted). And I don't even do it for money (which according to the same therapist makes it all alright). Contradictory to general belief, Facebook can be helpful for one's social life, I sure have benefited from being online while being stuck at home or in hospital. And since Im all for multitasking, reading articles and being updated of my friends activities while taking it easy with the young one has been helpful, at least for me. Its all about how you use the internet- its your choice. I do not give any information I consider too personal and I have gotten rid of friends on Facebook for example that I do not consider as "friends". Of course I don't have 405 close friends but I've met many people along the way that Im interested in following, well at least virtually because I feel they are doing interesting things. I would definately say hi if I met them in the street but perhaps not have coffee with them all. But isn't that how 21'st century friendship has evolved?

And what is the point of these social networks if you don't network? Actually, many people "browse" and "browse" but never share anything with their friends. You chose them and you chose what you share with them - but not sharing is like being a friend that never asks you how you are, both is equally annoying. In Friendship there has to be giving and taking, I want to share articles, pictures, interesting ideas or thoughts with my friends. The easiest way to do that is to "update" your profile online. However, things I share with friends are not the same things I share with collegues, and that's how it should be - whether its online or IRL (in real life). 

In a future job interview this is something I have to remember. And if my online activity comes up I'll say like Scott Janssen:

"I have a question of my own: If you feel mentioning my private life during a job interview is relevant, which one of us is truly professional, and why should I consider working for an employer that can't tell the difference?"