At some point, I’m going to do a post about the evils of social media and its backlash. For today, however, I’m going to write a few things (a very few things) about its most recent benefits to me.
We’re probably all on social media in some way, shape or form, right? If it’s not MySpace, it’s Facebook, Pininterest, Tumblr, Linked In, Instagram, Twitter or something like that. I flat out refused MySpace and Pininterest (although they granted me the right to set up an account) and resisted Facebook for years. I’m okay with Tumblr and Linked In, but think Instagram and Twitter are kind of stupid, which isn’t to say that I don’t have accounts on them; we’ll keep that on the DL for now, though.
Facebook has maybe sort of benefitted me, in not so important ways. I’m actually unsearchable on there and changed my “handle” so that my last name isn’t shown; that was due to being “stalked” by that apparently unstable Italian psycho. You know how people say that you shouldn’t post certain comments or pictures on FB for fear that your boss or co-workers might see them? Well then, make yourself unsearchable, you friggin’ geniuses!
Surprisingly, the one that’s been most useful to me has been Linked In. Yup, my real name is even on there. My best friend from Chico, who now lives in the Philadelphia area, found me on there. We also became “friends” on FB, but only AFTER connecting through Linked In. Now you can’t shut us up from commenting to each other on FB! Last year I found someone on Linked In that I’d met nearly 20 years ago, but had lost contact with. The other day I found my second best buddy from Chico on Linked In. He was originally from San Diego, if my memory serves me correctly. He said that he’s been in the Bay area since the mid-80’s. He’s been married for 24 years and his 22-year old daughter just graduated from college! I said that we should have lunch or dinner or whatever the next time he’s in San Francisco, if he ever actually comes into the City (since he lives in a suburb). He replied that he’ll be in San Francisco for work next week and will contact me then! I gauge that he and I haven’t seen each other in at least 30 years, possibly a little more. Now that’s a LOT of catching up to do! The other benefit to Linked In is that I can find my friends whenever they change jobs, which some are wont to do quite frequently. Of course, the most obvious benefits to Linked In are that prospective employers can see your resume, co-workers/managers can recommend you and others can endorse your skills. Lastly, I’m following Richard Branson on there and he’s filling my head with all kinds of dreams of success and opportunity!
So a big “thank you” to Linked In! That’s about all I have to say on the matter for now!