I've thought about it for a few years - but it's time - I've begun my exodus from social media

[NRaleighLiberal]

It started 5 years ago, when my first book came out and I started the associated speaking events - finding ways to use social network to build awareness for my books, build attendance at my events, use the tools to share info and teach.

But once it became clear how lots of the social tools end up being used - of course, the targeted ads, impact on elections, and more - it just felt wrong. So that was 5 years ago, and today I closed/deleted my Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. Next to do will be my personal FB page (I will keep my book related page up for a bit longer to see if it is worth the effort/has any positive impacts). Instagram will be my primary tool for sharing gardening info - for now, but I've love to just wipe them all away - I do a quarterly newsletter and a regular blog....my aim is to bring my readers to those two tools and say goodbye to all of the rest.

Feels similar to when I worked for Pharma for 25 years - the job supported my family, but I was also aware that the methods and practices did not align well with my own - once I was kicked out, I felt so good to be free of that feeling of hypocrisy. I suspect totally leaving social networking will have the same effect.

Just my own views, my own decisions, but thought it would be interesting to share.

[msongs]

1. have read must have personal fb page first or biz page will vanish. true? nt

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. I can lock down the personal page and not delete it, to keep the biz page...I think

working it through with my daughter, who helps me with the whole website/social network stuff

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Thanks. Perhaps you'll discover a sense of freedom too, being 'free' and simplifying your life. ...

Best wishes to you on your disconnection, sharing, and of course hope to continue seeing you on DU!

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. That is a huge part of it - simplifying my life and maximizing my time.

I am married to my best friend - coming up on 40 years. Great dogs, great cats, great hobbies - at 63, it is now about quality of time. Hiking, music, books.

So yes, it is kind of like brain sweeping - getting rid of that which really is of no importance!

And yes, DU is NOT one for my chopping block of site visits - it is way too important to me.

[SWBTATTReg]

8. Good for you!!! nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

22. DU and Twitter is all I can manage, time wise.

I don't do any MSM sites unless I hear about something such as the new fires in Cal.

Cord cutting was such a smart move. Esp. now with all the internet streaming options.

[pbmus]

4. Twitter and DU are my only internet social tools...

Well, I play backgammon and cards on the internet...

[Mister Ed]

5. Welcome. You'll like it here.

I've been living without social media for as long as there's been social media. It's nice here.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. .

[irisblue]

10. DU is a social media platform too. Just going to point that out

[NRaleighLiberal]

11. understood - it is also my primary news source

[irisblue]

14. I have met on line then in real life several ppl who became friends

2 weddings, 1 funeral, a Frank Sinatra 90th birthday party in Las Vegas. 3 adoption/childbirth celebrations, several dog people picnics.

Like real life, there are good points & bad ones. I have had many good and fulfilling interactions.

And without DU Craig, I'd have never bought your book for my BFF, nor heard you on the NPR cooking show.

[NRaleighLiberal]

19. .

[mwooldri]

15. DU is moderated. Much more so than the major social media platforms. NT

[irisblue]

16. I will not defend FB or Instagram and a couple others

I looked around, didn't interest me, didn't stay.

YMMV.
Best Regards

[Soph0571]

17. Me to!!! I have a linkedin for work but other than that..

DU is my only online playing ground!

[defacto7]

9. Congratulations.

I understand your decision and agree. It's a great feeling to be mostly off the grid and to know you have some control over privacy and scrutiny because you're just not there.

[c-rational]

12. Good plan. I have never been on social media and am a happier camper each year for this choice.

[ismnotwasm]

13. I like social media.

I REALLY like TikTok, a newish platform that’s mostly kids, but gaining fast in popularity. I laugh so hard at some of the little videos and I’m amazed at others I’m no good at it, but people are really creative. Restores my faith just a little.

I have private interests on Facebook, but I moved politics to Twitter as I have zero interest is discussing politics with anyone who didn’t vote for Hillary (This includes any friends)

[kellytore]

18. I did the same two weeks ago

and it feels great. My family and friends that support Trump were no longer in my personal life but now I don't have to see their ignorance on social media platforms. I am spending more time on writing and loving my dogs and grandchildren. I will never give up DU. Although I do not post very much on this site, I have been a member for over 10 years and I am thankful everyday for all of you that keep me informed.

[ancianita]

20. I'm glad you posted. I'm going to delete my Facebook account on Jan 1, 2020.

For all the reasons you gave, and this.

?quality=90&strip=all&w=618&h=410&crop=1

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. I'm relieved to see you'll remain on DU, my dear NRaleighLiberal!

That would have made me very sad.

I understand your reasons. And I hope your life will be just as you want it.

[spanone]

23. See ya!!!

[erronis]

24. Good plan - dump the abusers. I've been on most platforms over the years - research

FB back in the early 2000's, MySpace, etc.

I actually wrote some early FB apps but didn't like the model - financially or technically.

I've advised all of my family/friends about the pitfalls of trusting so much information to any platform, especially ones that are profit-motivated and run by old juveniles.

DU seems to be reasonably safe, but perps can try to worm into the inner workings and extract more info than we want them to.

Google is probably the biggest collector of info and marketer. I don't know that they've had the data-slurping problems that FB and others have had. Still their financial model is contrary to "First, do no harm." (To whom, one may ask.) And I do use gmail for some of my communications.

Microsoft (and others) would dearly love to have all of your family chestnuts in their grasp. LinkedIn being part of their assets.

Then we get into the non-commercial entities, the spy agencies, the ISPs, the router manufacturers, the satellite and cable repeater makers.

Jeez, couldn't one of these people that see everything I do offer a good backup/recovery service?

[hunter]

25. DU is my social media.

Netflix and DVDs are my television.

On sites I visit infrequently I use uBlock Origin to make ads go away. On sites I visit frequently, like DU, I pay to make ads go away.

A few technical sites I visit have only highly targeted non-obnoxious technical advertising. Those ads don't bother me much. I let them pass. I might even be interested in some technical widget.

My biggest exposure to general advertising is in my local newspapers. That's the only place I see political ads. The junk mail ads get tossed into the recycling bin before I walk in the front door.

Traditional television and social media were bad for my mental health.

[mudstump]

26. Facebook ads...I've never seen one.

Maybe it's my ad blocker..?

[LeftInTX]

31. Facebook ads appear as Facebook posts

When you see a Facebook post:
"See How The Brady Bunch Looks Now"....It is almost always an clickbait ad.
You can't block ads on Facebook because they are integrated in the platform.

[LastDemocratInSC]

27. I have never seen a login screen for any social media website.

Although I have been developing software since I got out of college in 1972 and am currently developing websites for a major international technology consulting company.

I prefer the wheat instead of the chaff.

[EricaGriswoldAuthor]

28. I am writing a book too!

What books have you written?

[NRaleighLiberal]

29. two...third in progress

Last edited Sun Oct 13, 2019, 06:28 PM - Edit history (1)

Epic Tomatoes, and Growing Vegetables in Strawbales.

3rd is on a unique tomato breeding project I've led for the past 14 yrs

[EricaGriswoldAuthor]

30. Thank you!

[Hortensis]

32. :) Congrats on simplifying, and thanks for remaining part of my world,

here and through your blog.

Wished a number of times we could cut FB out of our lives, and us from its. As it is, we need it for family and friends' posts, including photos of grandkids, notices of social events, and so on. I've removed it from my smartphone, and we limit access to our account to a minimum.

[Demsrule86]

33. Taking a rational voice away from social media and cutting yourself off in essence will help no one.