Ryan Block (and me) on Social Media
by Miki SaxonIt’s well-known to my readers that I’m no lover of social media; that I think it’s a giant time-waster; a black hole for energy more rewardingly spent in the real-world and with the serious potential to ruin a person’s career and even life.
But, as I am constantly told, a digital dinosaur such as me has no real ability to evaluate, let alone judge, the value of social media to others.
For all of you who feel that way, and for all your friends who don’t know me from Adam, I have proof from someone whose credentials can’t be impugned.
I’m referring to Ryan Block, former editor in chief of AOL’s Engadget and the co-founder of tech community gdgt.com.
In a guest post he explains why he quit Instagram and muses on the value and role social media should play in a person’s life.
We’d all be much better off simplifying our technological footprints and consolidating our trust in the few services that provide us the greatest value with the fewest unintended side effects. In the end, I’m not afraid to admit it. I’m a quitter.
And you should be, too. People wondering what there is to gain by thinning their online accounts sometimes ask: “Why quit?” Instead, I think every once in a while we should all ask ourselves: “Why stay?”
So before you tweet his post or add it to your Facebook page, why not take a few minutes and give some thought to your own actions in light of Ryan’s comments.
Flickr image credit: kris krüg