I had an encounter last week which not only made my day and left me with a spring in my step, but it also got me thinking about the different ways in which we connect with each other in the world today.
Hi Gina. I have been following you since your conversations with Izzy Moore, and I followed you into Substack.
I too have been feeling the pricks of negativity from being on the internet, but I resolve my ambivalence because
1) on Facebook I connect with family far flung
2) on Facebook I connect with the art community that is so necessary to my well being
3) on Facebook and substack I find the progressive political resistance to share with friends and family that helps us all peel ourselves off the walls in frustration. We will get through it to a better world through social media, possibly even because of its double edged nature. So I recommend breaks from social media for sanity sake, but keep your ear to the ground for the good messages to pass along and be strengthened by...
Edit: I replied on gmail to your brief encounter but google rejected it. I thought l'd better reply here on substack since the subject was real connection and I refuse to be censored.
Yes absolutely. It’s about us controlling how we use social media without it controlling us. I can’t believe Google rejected your email… that’s awful, but I’m happy you managed to leave a comment and connect!
Another day and another reason to smile! Thanks Gina, these little interactions really do make a difference to our lives.
I’ve been away visiting friends IRL, but I might not have kept those friendships going if it hadn’t been for social media, it has both its bad and its good points, I certainly don’t use it as much tending to use messaging more these days as like you I’m not keen on helping those men who seem hellbent on destroying the world as we know it.
Hope to bump into you again soon on my walks around Cambridge, maybe we could have a coffee, trying to avoid cake due to high cholesterol, the joys of ageing!
You are right there can be good aspects to social media (us meeting on Jesus Green for one!) but it’s about achieving a balance. And I like Facebook less and less each day.
And yes to that coffee. I’m trying to avoid cake for exactly the same reason in an attempt to get my cholesterol lower!
Such a heartwarming story Gina. I totally share your feelings regarding Instagram and have no desire whatsoever to support the owners of Instagram and Facebook, so like you, I have a dilemma as I have some lovely ‘friends’ on Instagram. I am also enjoying Substack but am slightly fearful of its future.
On a different note, we also really enjoyed ‘A Complete Unknown’ Best film I’ve seen in a long while!
I’m glad I’m not to only one fearful of the future of Substack. I got my first weird male follower last week who proceeded to send a strange DM just like happened with IG a few years ago!
But at least for now it mostly feels like a good place. Wasn’t the film great!
Hi Gina, I came off Instagram about a month ago because I was spending so much time scrolling and just wasting time - leaving insufficient time for reading, sewing, knitting. Also I was getting very cross with random people which definitely isn't good. I am not missing it so long may it last!
Also I wonder which library you visited? Was it Milton Road?
That’s interesting Margot that you are not missing it because I suspect I wouldn’t either. I sometimes think it is more of a case of fear of missing out… but we never do really.
We usually go to the central library but now I’m thinking Milton road might be nearer, but then I wouldn’t see my nice librarian! (I’m quite sure all librarians are lovely 😉)
I’m with you on all of this, as usual! This morning I met ‘real people' to look at an art exhibition and our venue for March - people I’ve almost been scared to email in case I’m ’bothering them', as I'm not a natural organiser of people etc…but they’re all completely lovely, and we all clicked like we’ve known each other for years. Half an hour later, we bumped into 'gym buddies' at the supermarket and had a giggle about our bobble hats and who had the biggest bobble…and there’s still more, as this afternoon, friends from Bristol who we first met on the campsite in France, popped in for a cup of tea before travelling home after a weekend away. It’s the most social I’ve been for ages, and it's good! In terms of Insta & FB, I really don’t like the latter at all, and only look because things from Insta go there automatically and I check for comments. Not that keen on Insta, either. I’m trying to remember to use notes instead. Anyway, that’s what your Internet-friend and podcast buddy thinks!!
You probably have more reason than me to be on FB and Instagram as you are still teaching courses and promoting yourself but aside from staying in touch with a few people it mostly seems pretty pointless. I assume you do know you can stop IG posts automatically sharing to FB!
And who has time to keep remembering to post (and check) notes…
Yes, I know, but it’s kinda useful because I don’t have to think about doing it! My groups are still FB too, but I reckon Podia might have just solved that one…
Having moved to a completely new area in the past two years I have found Facebook quite useful as a way to find out what’s going on around our new home. This has led to several volunteering opportunities which in turn has helped us meet new people, make new friends and spread our wings a bit now that we are retired.
However, I too really dislike how it chooses what to show you and have begun to realise lately how often find I have missed out on news from genuine friends and other relevant connections.
Conscious of how much time I was wasting just scrolling aimlessly, I have recently changed the screen setting on my phone so that I am limited to 30 minutes a day on certain apps - including Facebook. I feel a huge sense of achievement and freedom on days where I find I haven’t reached the time limit, knowing that I have (hopefully) spent my time more productively.
I’d love to ditch much of social media completely but feel at least for now I have made a step in the right direction. It’s a case of using it as a tool rather than it using me!
It sounds as if you have found a good balance Kim. I’m trying to limit my time spent on Facebook too but as you say it has its uses! It’s all about balance I guess x
Hi Gina! I've been following you for some years now, from before the creation of your lace project, and I would miss you if you stopped posting. I took a step back from posting on FB, and I gave up my blog several years ago, but I kept following and lurking on FB because I missed my online friends. I enjoy your writing.
Wow… my lace project was a long time ago Suz. I think I will always find a way to write and stay connected online with people but I have definitely fallen out of love with Facebook. All the spurious followers and fake people wanting to buy my work are enough to put me off, without all the ads etc!
You are so right Gina, in person encounters are a joy.
Like Lynne, I do use social media to keep in touch with faraway family and friends and several online art groups I’m involved with.
My culls of unwanted posts appearing in my feed used to last a short while once or twice a month, now rare that I have any visits where I don’t block/hide a few unwanted posts!
It does mean in-between times I only see what I want to see, though I suspect that may close me off to exciting new possibilities, but at the moment I’m busy enough not to have too many rabbit holes to fall down!!
I am on a computer quite a bit with my college studies, researching artists and techniques, though I do use my library too!!😊
I love reading your posts, though I have quite a few to catch up on at the moment, a result of reducing my non-college computer related visits!!
Enjoy your times with your grand daughter and the unexpected encounters.
Sending love and thanks all the way from a sunny Orkney.
Thank you Morag. Yes social media has its uses but I do think we need to use it judiciously. As for missing out on exciting new possibilities, if we don’t know about them we won’t miss them!
Sunny Orkney sounds delightful after a week of wet grey weather here!
Haha, this afternoon turned out to be wet and grey! We have had a mostly sunny, dry, calm week, but the coming week looks like we are back to normal with strong winds and rain again! 😏
Hello – well I found this latest writing of yours very synchronistic, as today I've had a couple other posts suggesting to replace FB with substack. I'm still on FB as it is easy to use, but you reminded me to delve deeper. Here in the US those who did not vote for this are mortified. The platform to replace Twitter and X is Bluesky, I'm told. Best, Em
Do keep writing Gina. Your substack posts are always a good read.
Thank you Jan, that is very kind
Hi Gina. I have been following you since your conversations with Izzy Moore, and I followed you into Substack.
I too have been feeling the pricks of negativity from being on the internet, but I resolve my ambivalence because
1) on Facebook I connect with family far flung
2) on Facebook I connect with the art community that is so necessary to my well being
3) on Facebook and substack I find the progressive political resistance to share with friends and family that helps us all peel ourselves off the walls in frustration. We will get through it to a better world through social media, possibly even because of its double edged nature. So I recommend breaks from social media for sanity sake, but keep your ear to the ground for the good messages to pass along and be strengthened by...
Edit: I replied on gmail to your brief encounter but google rejected it. I thought l'd better reply here on substack since the subject was real connection and I refuse to be censored.
Sending love from a long time follower.
Yes absolutely. It’s about us controlling how we use social media without it controlling us. I can’t believe Google rejected your email… that’s awful, but I’m happy you managed to leave a comment and connect!
Another day and another reason to smile! Thanks Gina, these little interactions really do make a difference to our lives.
I’ve been away visiting friends IRL, but I might not have kept those friendships going if it hadn’t been for social media, it has both its bad and its good points, I certainly don’t use it as much tending to use messaging more these days as like you I’m not keen on helping those men who seem hellbent on destroying the world as we know it.
Hope to bump into you again soon on my walks around Cambridge, maybe we could have a coffee, trying to avoid cake due to high cholesterol, the joys of ageing!
Kate
You are right there can be good aspects to social media (us meeting on Jesus Green for one!) but it’s about achieving a balance. And I like Facebook less and less each day.
And yes to that coffee. I’m trying to avoid cake for exactly the same reason in an attempt to get my cholesterol lower!
Such a heartwarming story Gina. I totally share your feelings regarding Instagram and have no desire whatsoever to support the owners of Instagram and Facebook, so like you, I have a dilemma as I have some lovely ‘friends’ on Instagram. I am also enjoying Substack but am slightly fearful of its future.
On a different note, we also really enjoyed ‘A Complete Unknown’ Best film I’ve seen in a long while!
I’m glad I’m not to only one fearful of the future of Substack. I got my first weird male follower last week who proceeded to send a strange DM just like happened with IG a few years ago!
But at least for now it mostly feels like a good place. Wasn’t the film great!
The same happened to me with a random male follower ☹️.
Hi Gina, I came off Instagram about a month ago because I was spending so much time scrolling and just wasting time - leaving insufficient time for reading, sewing, knitting. Also I was getting very cross with random people which definitely isn't good. I am not missing it so long may it last!
Also I wonder which library you visited? Was it Milton Road?
I do enjoy your blog - keep going!
Margot xx
That’s interesting Margot that you are not missing it because I suspect I wouldn’t either. I sometimes think it is more of a case of fear of missing out… but we never do really.
We usually go to the central library but now I’m thinking Milton road might be nearer, but then I wouldn’t see my nice librarian! (I’m quite sure all librarians are lovely 😉)
And thank you for your continuing support x
I’m with you on all of this, as usual! This morning I met ‘real people' to look at an art exhibition and our venue for March - people I’ve almost been scared to email in case I’m ’bothering them', as I'm not a natural organiser of people etc…but they’re all completely lovely, and we all clicked like we’ve known each other for years. Half an hour later, we bumped into 'gym buddies' at the supermarket and had a giggle about our bobble hats and who had the biggest bobble…and there’s still more, as this afternoon, friends from Bristol who we first met on the campsite in France, popped in for a cup of tea before travelling home after a weekend away. It’s the most social I’ve been for ages, and it's good! In terms of Insta & FB, I really don’t like the latter at all, and only look because things from Insta go there automatically and I check for comments. Not that keen on Insta, either. I’m trying to remember to use notes instead. Anyway, that’s what your Internet-friend and podcast buddy thinks!!
It sounds like a perfect day of connections!
You probably have more reason than me to be on FB and Instagram as you are still teaching courses and promoting yourself but aside from staying in touch with a few people it mostly seems pretty pointless. I assume you do know you can stop IG posts automatically sharing to FB!
And who has time to keep remembering to post (and check) notes…
Yes, I know, but it’s kinda useful because I don’t have to think about doing it! My groups are still FB too, but I reckon Podia might have just solved that one…
Hi Gina.
Having moved to a completely new area in the past two years I have found Facebook quite useful as a way to find out what’s going on around our new home. This has led to several volunteering opportunities which in turn has helped us meet new people, make new friends and spread our wings a bit now that we are retired.
However, I too really dislike how it chooses what to show you and have begun to realise lately how often find I have missed out on news from genuine friends and other relevant connections.
Conscious of how much time I was wasting just scrolling aimlessly, I have recently changed the screen setting on my phone so that I am limited to 30 minutes a day on certain apps - including Facebook. I feel a huge sense of achievement and freedom on days where I find I haven’t reached the time limit, knowing that I have (hopefully) spent my time more productively.
I’d love to ditch much of social media completely but feel at least for now I have made a step in the right direction. It’s a case of using it as a tool rather than it using me!
It sounds as if you have found a good balance Kim. I’m trying to limit my time spent on Facebook too but as you say it has its uses! It’s all about balance I guess x
Hi Gina! I've been following you for some years now, from before the creation of your lace project, and I would miss you if you stopped posting. I took a step back from posting on FB, and I gave up my blog several years ago, but I kept following and lurking on FB because I missed my online friends. I enjoy your writing.
Wow… my lace project was a long time ago Suz. I think I will always find a way to write and stay connected online with people but I have definitely fallen out of love with Facebook. All the spurious followers and fake people wanting to buy my work are enough to put me off, without all the ads etc!
You are so right Gina, in person encounters are a joy.
Like Lynne, I do use social media to keep in touch with faraway family and friends and several online art groups I’m involved with.
My culls of unwanted posts appearing in my feed used to last a short while once or twice a month, now rare that I have any visits where I don’t block/hide a few unwanted posts!
It does mean in-between times I only see what I want to see, though I suspect that may close me off to exciting new possibilities, but at the moment I’m busy enough not to have too many rabbit holes to fall down!!
I am on a computer quite a bit with my college studies, researching artists and techniques, though I do use my library too!!😊
I love reading your posts, though I have quite a few to catch up on at the moment, a result of reducing my non-college computer related visits!!
Enjoy your times with your grand daughter and the unexpected encounters.
Sending love and thanks all the way from a sunny Orkney.
Thank you Morag. Yes social media has its uses but I do think we need to use it judiciously. As for missing out on exciting new possibilities, if we don’t know about them we won’t miss them!
Sunny Orkney sounds delightful after a week of wet grey weather here!
Haha, this afternoon turned out to be wet and grey! We have had a mostly sunny, dry, calm week, but the coming week looks like we are back to normal with strong winds and rain again! 😏
Ironically we actually had a little bit of sunshine today but don’t think it’s set to last!
Hello – well I found this latest writing of yours very synchronistic, as today I've had a couple other posts suggesting to replace FB with substack. I'm still on FB as it is easy to use, but you reminded me to delve deeper. Here in the US those who did not vote for this are mortified. The platform to replace Twitter and X is Bluesky, I'm told. Best, Em