In the Table Talk on Monday, we talked about a TED by Dr. Cal Newport about how he’s never used social media, but has led a better/more productive life because of it.
That made me think about whether or not MY life would be better and more productive without social media. The answer is, I think, yes! and at the same time, no.
I will admit, in the days after the table talk, I uninstalled the Facebook app from my phone. I did find myself reaching for my phone to start aimlessly scrolling through stories and videos, only stopping when I remember that I don’t have Facebook installed…. so I think there are some very valid points in Newport’s TED talk about how social media gives us constant stimuli which causes us to be more distracted. I definitely agree with him on that (obviously, since I keep reaching for my phone!), but I think social media was never a particularly big issue for me when I’m working and studying. My Facebook use is mostly during lunch (if I’m eating alone), when I wake up or go to sleep–which yes, takes up a big chunk of time (and that’s time I now have back!) but it’s not particularly detrimental to my overall productivity, as Newport suggested.
So, from that standpoint, I think if I got rid of social media completely, I would have a lot of time for myself, whether it be spent working or doing something I enjoy doing (reading, lounging around, sleeping more, etc!)
On the other hand, I actually can’t get myself to deactivate Facebook completely. I actually “text” all my friends and family through Facebook messenger… in fact, most of my friends don’t really text anyone anymore. Yes, I’m sure they would switch over if I asked (and they have before, when I uninstalled messenger on my phone for exams etc), but it really is the main messaging app I have right now.
In addition, I also use social media to publicize my orchestra concerts, piano recitals, and stay in touch with family outside of the country. I think social media is the main why people my age communicate today, and getting rid of it completely just isn’t 100% feasible.
However, that being said, I also haven’t gotten rid of it completely, so who am I to say it’s not feasible for someone my age? But I also don’t think Newport, as a person who has never used social media, can really tell us how to live our lives and how that could potentially improve it seeing that he’s never used it himself.
Just like everything in this world… moderation is key. If social media is taking you away from living your life (checking your phone constantly when you’re with friends or family, for example), then obviously you should tone it down with the social media usage. But for me, it doesn’t have a huge place in my life, and I find it easy to put it away when I’m working, so I don’t think it would increase my productivity or improve my life drastically if I cut it out completely.
I found your post very interesting, especially where you question whether its feasible for someone are age to quit social media completely. I’ve never used social media – so technically I guess it must be possible – and for me the pros and cons look a little different. I do feel that not having social media makes my life uncluttered, and a lot less stressful than it would otherwise be. But I do sometimes get the sense that I am missing out on something. Not having Facebook or other forms of social media means that I have lost track of people from my past, for example high school acquaintances, and can sometimes make me feel left out of social life at Cornell. By on the whole, I feel my life is improved by not using social media – the collection of personal data especially, is a major issue for me.
I think the Facebook Messenger point is spot on: I deactivated my Facebook account a few months ago but I still use Messenger regularly: I can’t shake it because all of my friends are on it!
I like the amount of thought and experimentation you put into this. A few months ago, I tried going without my phone for an entire weekend and I couldn’t even last a few hours. It was ridiculous how much I felt the need to check my phone because I thought I would miss something important. Maybe what I tried was more drastic than simply going without social media and I plan to try that next.