Connection and Disconnection
In today’s society we are able to carry around a connection to the internet with something that is small enough to fit in our pockets, our smart phones. Coinciding with the rise of Web 2.0 platforms that promote connectivity and enable their users to create their own content and share with one another (Van Dijck, J. (2013) ‘The Ecosystem of Connective Media’ pp. 154–176), Web 2.0 has enabled users to engage, obtain and share information from the comforts of their own homes.
Like many people in today’s society I am an avid social media user, on platforms such as FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat I use FaceBook to stay updated with my family and friends, or tag my friends in memes that are #relatable. I’m more of a scroller on FaceBook than a poster. I’m more active on Twitter to stay updated with my favourite celebrities or to receive real time updates from Metro Trains to keep on top of the abundance of delays on my train line or keeping up with the footy scores.
Personally, I find myself constantly engaging with digital media. More often than not my phone is within arms distance and I find myself checking my social media every hour and a half. Sometimes I’ll have FaceBook or YouTube open on both my laptop and my phone simultaneously.
Similarly to David Roberts in Freddie deBoer’s ‘Digital Breaks, or “Breaks”’ (2014), I decided to deactivate my FaceBook during exam period, I don’t feel like it was very effective, I still procrastinated my studies. It was nice to take a break from FaceBook and I was still getting the same updates from friends from school but it has just become the norm for people to be connected to and through FaceBook and other social media platforms.
I know a few people who live their lives on and through their social media. I enjoy living in the moment and I’ll take maybe two photos for the night as a reminder that may or may not make an appearance on my social media platforms. I try to limit my social media usage when I’m with my family and friends or when I’m out at dinner but I don’t what my life would be like without the internet or social media.
References:
deBoer, F. (2014) ‘Digital Breaks, or “Breaks”’, The Dish
Van Dijck, J. (2013) ‘The Ecosystem of Connective Media’ pp. 154–176