I thought this was both funny and accurate: From Alan Levine’s wiki cogdoghouse, “The Twitter Life Cycle.” I’ll bet you can find your use of Twitter on this chart!
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- Cristin on What did you think of the wordpress set up for the class?
I’ve definitely experienced a similar curve with Facebook, though not Twitter yet (one reason I refuse to lose my tweet-ginity). I joined Facebook in the summer of 2004 when it was still just a college student thing. I’ve definitely reached the “I cannot stop!” ledge several times but brought myself down by quitting cold turkey for several weeks at a time. I try to see how long I can go without signing in, and this helps break the cycle of compulsive Facebook checking, liking, posting, etc. When I go back, I’m a lot healthier about my use, but naturally I start climbing the curve again and the cycle continues.
I read once that people get a little burst of endorphins every time they get a new email message or post on their wall or new tweets or whatever, illustrating that social media addiction does exist on a chemical level. I read this article about Facebook addiction last year: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/23/ep.facebook.addict/index.html I’ve experienced symptoms two and four. Can anyone else relate?
This is a bit of a tangent, but I always think that addiction is kind of a fuzzy thing. I suppose it comes down to “doing harm” to oneself and/or those around them, but that seems to be a fuzzy space too. And then there’s also an issue of “sustained” use. I mean, I think a lot of people get really obsessed with Facebook or Twitter or similar kinds of things when they first get involved with it. When “the web” first became a viable thing, I remember spending hours and HOURS endlessly surfing because it was so new and weird and exciting and all that. But then it kind of settles down.
I have to confess to being a great social media use so far. Now, I can relate to the general principle, I have been to Vegas and all I have to say is it’s a good thing I don’t make enough money to gamble. However, with Facebook, and now with Twitter – although I just made my account for this class – I’m pretty much able to check in four-five times a day for about five minutes, maybe post, maybe not, maybe “like” something or whatever and check back out. I suppose addictions are unique to the individual.
I agree, it definitely depends on the person. I think I have a quasi-addictive personality, which I’ve learned to handle (or not handle, sometimes). I do think social media addiction is a real thing that people need to take seriously, though. I won’t go too far with the tangent, since we’re supposed to be talking about writing, but I think companies like Facebook and Twitter have a vested interest in reeling us in and keeping us there, much like the tobacco companies–there’s lots of money to be made that way! Having us share all of our information, photos, etc. is one way of getting more people interested by making everything publicly available. Facebook doesn’t like users who pump up their privacy settings or protect their tweets, after all. OK, I’ll stop there!
I am on the still don’t get it spot…..but maybe I will someday. Does not mean I won’t use it just dont get it is all.
I’m w/ you Cristin. Blogging… I can understand and can see myself enjoying it. But as far as FB and Twitter, I guess it’s just not in my personality to get addicted to em. I’ll pick up a phone if I want to talk to someone…. I’m not that interested in posting or reading peoples ramblings & inane thoughts, even if they are my friends.
I do get on FB but a lot of my friends post interesting things I have used in classes. I am not addicted but it has been a great way to plan out some family events and thiings like that. ….i.e. babies born, birthdays and things like that. But I agree I dont need to know what someone had for lunch…..
Agreed. I don’t care that much about other people’s every move and I can DEFINITELY state that there is nothing exciting going on in my life that people might want to read about. I wondering where the cut-off is on the Twitter front. Almost all my students use factbook or myspace, most also email, but only 2 or 3 of my 160 students twitter. It seems that twitter appeals more to the more adult people.
I am more addicted to FB because more friends and family are there. I have not played with Twitter as much but I do like the news feeds that come across. My cell phone is not connected to the internet yet, so I have to be careful on how much I go online from my phone. Both of these seem to draw you back for more. I am online more than watching TV.
I don’t know. I agree with the consensus, I much prefer FB and just can’t get into Twitter. It’s kind of fun and silly every once in awhile, but I don’t like the constant “Feed”. It’s too small and fast and weird for me. not knocking it, I can see how it could definitely be addicting, it’s just not for me at the moment.
I think I had that experience with FB. I now have days where I have to stay from the computer completely. It causes too much noise and I can never finish tangible tasks.
In case anyone feels the need to self-diagnose:
Twitter:
http://theoatmeal.com/quiz/twitter_addict
Facebook:
http://theoatmeal.com/quiz/facebook_addict
(My scores were 13% and 70%, respectively.)
We will get to some more on the usefulness (or not!) of Facebook and Twitter a little later, so fear not. In the mean-time, I still want to encourage people to play around with it for themselves, and, for lack of a better way of putting it, give the tools a chance.
I think more people are familiar with Facebook and/or it seems to have a more obvious “face value” to it. As far as Twitter goes, if you are totally new and/or unsure as to what to do with this thing, check out “Zen and the Art of Twitter: 4 Tips for Productive Tweeting.” Pretty handy stuff.