From the Findery blog:
“…We make our human mistakes. Connected to so many, we are intimate with fewer and fewer. We squander our days in amusements. Instead of truth, triviality. We are exhorted to sate the urges of the millions, their sloth, greed, pride or lust. We are told that this is what will make us a success. This is a deadly cynicism, which we must fight.
Because the internet is a medium, it doesn’t care whether it transmits love or hate. It is what we build and who we are that make it what it is. We can build things that diminish our humanity or build things that bring us to human flourishing.” –Caterina Fake
I’m being more cautious about my information diet. Have you made any changes to the way you interact with the internet lately?
Mighty Girl 
Yes. So important to think about (and reminds me of this photo I saw today comparing the crowds in St. Peter’s Square in 2005 and 2013: http://instagram.com/p/W2FCksR9-e/).
Actually, one of the things I’m really liking about Go Mighty is that it encourages depth and quality connections, and I hope that’s even more true as it grows!
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Yes. I purged my Google Reader feed months ago (did I secretly know they were going to phase it out…?), and I can’t remember most of the stuff I was reading in there, when previously, I’d been quite addicted to it. I realized I was bringing ideas, people, all sorts up close to me and that filled my head in a way I didn’t like. Mind clutter. Now, I try to treat the Internet much in the same way I filter what I bring into my home: I have to really, really want it, otherwise, I don’t buy it or it goes in the trash.
Also: no reading comments on news sites ever, but that goes without saying, eh?
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fantastic speech from Ms. Fake. love her words on this topic over the years.
I have always tried to be cautious with my privacy, but it’s my time that I still waste while online and not getting back enough value in return. I know I stay online in order to feel connected, because I have this machine in my lap that makes it seem like I am, but really, if I overdo it, which occurs about 1-5 times a week, I feel distracted and disconnected. ironic, no?
that’s not to say that the internet has not given me so much happiness and success in terms of creative growth especially, but I’d like to focus more on human interaction instead of passive voyeurism and information rabbit-click-holes. oh and I am positive that being single keeps me online more than I’d like. so, magic perfect-for-me boyfriend where ever you are, I am ready. show up please.
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I need to do this too. Maggie, I’m curious how you are screening/limiting the stuff you consume. Could you elaborate?
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I am a true radical. I don’t facebook. What?! yes, it’s true! I started a facebook account back in 2008, twitter too. But I never logged in, forgot my login password, and then just sort of missed the boat. Anytime I think of logging in or my friends make fun of me, i feel all twitchy and hot and just can’t do it. My ex-husband (as of a 2 weeks ago!) is addicted, so it looked REALLY ugly to me. He has no filter or internet etiquette or whatever. Yes i have a laptop and internet at home. I also have an awesome 3 year old daughter that my home-time revolves around (in the best way). Yes i have a smartphone. But it’s from my work, so facebook app is blocked (which is actually awesome for me). I may not know what by bff from junior high school had for lunch today, but I also am practicing Mindfulness (post-divorce happiness pursuits) and find that i’m sometimes the only sane one in the room by not being tethered to the interwebs. And also, upon advice from my therapist, i am no longer allowed to watch the local news. I HIGHLY recommend that one.
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I still maintain my facebook account, but have been slowly pulling away from its use for over a year now. I think my posts have been so random, some “friends” worry I’ve fallen off the planet. When in all “reality” I’m too busy interacting with those who are sitting in front of me. Facebook just got to be so cluttered with garbage that I would walk away from it feeling worse than before. My philosophy is that what I consume (food, fashion, books, entertainment, internet media, etc) should lift me up, not drag me down. So I have been creating distance. The only reason I still have it at all is because I manage an account professionally. On the flipside, I’ve curated a twitter account filled with wonderful people and outlets that post things constantly that I adore. From bloggers who write smart content, photographers who post beautiful images, professional school counselors I follow that create wonderful discourse online, and more-twitter has become a place I turn to a few times each day for enrichment. I am not attached to it like a lifeline though. I am able to step away. As a school counselor, and an educator, I have been thinking about how we can start to work into our curriculum a way to teach our students to be mindful of their own social media/internet presence and consumption. I think I may take your post today and share it among some of my like-minded co-workers:)
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It’s a minor thing, but instead of surfing the web while I relax with TV at night, I’ve begun playing Spell Tower. It’s a silly word game, but it does stretch my brain a bit and rejuvenates me in a way that twitter does not.
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I gave up Twitter for Lent. It’s been so liberating, it might become a permanent vacation!
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I gave up Facebook for Lent … not that I’m a practicing Catholic. It just seemed convenient and familiar. After a couple days off, I wanted to delete the account entirely but have decided to wait until April 1st. On that day, I’ll post one last time letting people know that I’m no longer available through FB and can be reached via … and list my contact information. A small step but I already feel like I gained a little of my life back.
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