Dulce de leche
Promote Your Page Too
I should begin with the caveat that I am quite ignorant of tech stuff, so keep that in mind. Many of my friends are using Google+, and I will probably join them at some point. From what I understand, the big draw is the ability to compartmentalize. You create circles according to specific groups, which means that your boss and coworkers or your ILs or whomever doesn't automatically see everything you post. You can do that on FB, too, but it is a little more complicated. I can see the attraction. But it isn't for me.
For one thing, I am pretty much a what-you-see-is-what-you-get person. I have mentioned before my lamentable tendency to blurt. It is true that anyone on my Facebook page will see my links on breastfeeding and gentle discipline and the DREAM act. If they know me enough to be friends, it is unlikely that they are shocked. I talk about these things in real life, too.
But the real reason that I like having one big, happy circle? It is because of who my friends are. They are a very diverse group if you look at things like religion and politics, and views on pretty much anything. I have friends who adore Sarah Palin and others whose politics are far more liberal than the US is likely to reach for many decades. I have dear ones who are extremely conservative Christians, atheists, and pagans. I have gay and lesbian friends. Many are from other countries and other cultures. I have friends who rely exclusively on homeopathic and natural remedies, and friends who only trust allopathic medicine. Some believe that spanking is necessary, others see it as abuse. Some nursed their kids to seven years of age, some find that incredibly disturbing. Some see circumcision as ordained by God, some see it as genital mutilation. A rather large percentage of my friends there disagree with my views on parenting, politics and pretty much everything else.
It can occasionally get heated, but it doesn't get nasty or vicious. In fact, I have been deeply touched by the tremendous love that they lavish on me. And, OK, I will admit to some mild amusement when I have status updates and comments like this:
My comments and posts on their walls run about the same.
Part of it is the immature kid in me that just finds it funny, and the social geek who is relieved to not be the only one who doesn't always seem to fit in the conversation. But the biggest part is just grateful for the outpouring of love. It is incredibly reassuring and comforting to know that even when we don't come together over anything else, we still can be united for the people in our lives. However it is expressed, my friends want good things for me and my family, just as I want blessings to be poured out on them.
So, yeah, I could do the circle thing and avoid disagreements or embarrassment by picking only people who have a lot in common. But I would miss out on so much by that. I learn from all of my friends, those who agree and those who don't. Even when they seem to be polar opposites, I can consider their views. And love covers a multitude of sins. In a world that is already divided into so many opposing factions, it is very nice to have one, big happy circle that is united in love and a desire for good. :)
Promote Your Page Too
I should begin with the caveat that I am quite ignorant of tech stuff, so keep that in mind. Many of my friends are using Google+, and I will probably join them at some point. From what I understand, the big draw is the ability to compartmentalize. You create circles according to specific groups, which means that your boss and coworkers or your ILs or whomever doesn't automatically see everything you post. You can do that on FB, too, but it is a little more complicated. I can see the attraction. But it isn't for me.
For one thing, I am pretty much a what-you-see-is-what-you-get person. I have mentioned before my lamentable tendency to blurt. It is true that anyone on my Facebook page will see my links on breastfeeding and gentle discipline and the DREAM act. If they know me enough to be friends, it is unlikely that they are shocked. I talk about these things in real life, too.
But the real reason that I like having one big, happy circle? It is because of who my friends are. They are a very diverse group if you look at things like religion and politics, and views on pretty much anything. I have friends who adore Sarah Palin and others whose politics are far more liberal than the US is likely to reach for many decades. I have dear ones who are extremely conservative Christians, atheists, and pagans. I have gay and lesbian friends. Many are from other countries and other cultures. I have friends who rely exclusively on homeopathic and natural remedies, and friends who only trust allopathic medicine. Some believe that spanking is necessary, others see it as abuse. Some nursed their kids to seven years of age, some find that incredibly disturbing. Some see circumcision as ordained by God, some see it as genital mutilation. A rather large percentage of my friends there disagree with my views on parenting, politics and pretty much everything else.
It can occasionally get heated, but it doesn't get nasty or vicious. In fact, I have been deeply touched by the tremendous love that they lavish on me. And, OK, I will admit to some mild amusement when I have status updates and comments like this:
Dulce: Kidlet had an allergic reaction.
Friend #1. I am praying right now. I rebuke that spirit of infirmity and say right now that they are healed. You just need to walk in that healing.
Friend #2. Holding them in the light.
Friend #3. Have you tried muscle testing? I can recommend someone.
Friend #4. As an MD, I don't have a lot of confidence in muscle testing, but I can refer you to a pediatric allergist who can administer a skin prick test and do some blood work.
Dulce: Ariana is reading Harry Potter.
7 friends like this.
Friend #1. I am delighted she is reading, but I have very serious concerns about Harry Potter.
Friend #2. So do I. As a Christian, she shouldn't be filling her mind with witchcraft.
Friend #3. I am a Christian, and I think Harry Potter is awesome!
My comments and posts on their walls run about the same.
Part of it is the immature kid in me that just finds it funny, and the social geek who is relieved to not be the only one who doesn't always seem to fit in the conversation. But the biggest part is just grateful for the outpouring of love. It is incredibly reassuring and comforting to know that even when we don't come together over anything else, we still can be united for the people in our lives. However it is expressed, my friends want good things for me and my family, just as I want blessings to be poured out on them.
So, yeah, I could do the circle thing and avoid disagreements or embarrassment by picking only people who have a lot in common. But I would miss out on so much by that. I learn from all of my friends, those who agree and those who don't. Even when they seem to be polar opposites, I can consider their views. And love covers a multitude of sins. In a world that is already divided into so many opposing factions, it is very nice to have one, big happy circle that is united in love and a desire for good. :)
7 comments:
I see your point. However, G+ does not require that you compartmentalize. I share almost everything with all circles or public.
Well said. I am of the opinion that if you don't want your in laws or your boss to find out about it, don't say it in the first place (at least not publicly online! Certain conversations should really happen in a coffee shop or by private email). A lot of people seem to find that incredibly naive or boring, but it works for me. I have Google+ just in case they really do to facebook what facebook did to myspace, but I really don't use it.
Hehe. I won't be leaving FB. Why bother hiding oneself, like you said?
Whew! I feel a tremendous sense of relief! Just kidding, of course. I'm fully aware of our deep and distinct disagreements, but I've never (no, not even ONE time) doubted your love and devotion to me as a person or your sincere love and respect for God and family. You could almost win me over to some of your views (again, just kidding) by your sweet and precious spirit every time our opinions cross each other at the neck!
Thank you all so much! <3
ManaLinda, that is a good point. I might try it out one of these days. :)
Kate, ITA. And the idea of FB going the way of Myspace scares me, LOL.
Pippi, we should be FB friends! :)
Granny2Five, lots and lots of love to you. Your love, kindness and wisdom could almost win me over to your views, too. ;) Almost. <3
As long as you keep writing I'm happy. You're such an encouragement to me. <3
As a church secretary, I've always been wysiwyg. Totally. But you know what I found? People don't want transparency as much as they want translucency. And I got very tired of hiding this or that or censoring myself. I ended up with a wholly separate FB account for my GCM friends, my IRL friends who "get" me, and others who appreciate true transparency. On G+, I can have both a bit more easily w/o two accounts. Except most of the church ppl who just want to see the facade -- they aren't tech savvy enough to ever go to G+, lol.
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