Google Plus

Most people that wanted them have had invitations already but yesterday Google Plus became available for everyone. It’s apparently Google’s attempt at taking market share from Facebook in the world of social media.

I have a Google Plus account which lies quietly in the corner feeling neglected. I interact with most friends on my Facebook account but thought I should grab a Plus account when I got an invitation a couple of months ago.

I’m not even really sure how it all works but I’ve added few friends to my circles. That’s the interesting thing with Google Plus. With Facebook you simply add friends, with Plus, you categorise everyone in circles that you create. I’ve got a circle for friends, one for family, one for blogging and social media contacts, but what happens when someone turns up and you’re not quite sure where to put them? Will someone feel offended if I put them in my acquaintances circle rather than my friends circle. It’s all too hard.

What about you? Have you jumped on the Google Plus bandwagon or will you stick with Facebook? Will you have both or maybe neither. Let me know which way you’re going with social media.



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The Pope and Facebook

The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has encouraged Christians to get involved in online social networks, but at the same time he’s warned users, especially young people, about the dangers of superficial online relationships taking the place of real life interaction.

In his message for the 45th World Day of Social Communications, he talked about the new horizons that are now open that were until recently were unimaginable.

The papal message, entitled Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age was released by the Vatican yesterday, the 24th of January.

Who is my ‘neighbour’ in this new world? Does the danger exist that we may be less present to those whom we encounter in our everyday life? Is there is a risk of being more distracted because our attention is fragmented and absorbed in a world ‘other’ than the one in which we live? Do we have time to reflect critically on our choices and to foster human relationships which are truly deep and lasting? It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives.

I reckon he’s pretty well spot on. We’re in danger of losing ourselves amongst everything from Facebook to Twitter and so much more.

It can be easy to create an online persona that doesn’t really exist. We can chase online “friends” who will never really be there when we’re going through tough times and who we won’t get the opportunity to support in their time of need. Online friends are unlikely to hold us accountable or move us forward on the journey of life.

I love the opportunity to communicate with people all over the world, and I must admit that I really value some of the online friendships I’ve developed, but I’m very aware that I can’t let online relationships rob me of real life relationships with those who need me to be present in their lives.

Young people in particular are experiencing this change in communication, with all the anxieties, challenges and creativity typical of those open with enthusiasm and curiosity to new experiences in life. Their ever greater involvement in the public digital forum, created by the so-called social networks, helps to establish new forms of interpersonal relations, influences self-awareness and therefore inevitably poses questions not only of how to act properly, but also about the authenticity of one’s own being.

Entering cyberspace can be a sign of an authentic search for personal encounters with others, provided that attention is paid to avoiding dangers such as enclosing oneself in a sort of parallel existence, or excessive exposure to the virtual world. In the search for sharing, for “friends”, there is the challenge to be authentic and faithful, and not give in to the illusion of constructing an artificial public profile for oneself.

What do you think? Are you careful about the kinds of friendships you’re developing online? Do you think the Pope is right? Are there dangers we need to avoid?



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Connecting on Facebook

How do I explain this without sounding arrogant. Well maybe I don’t. Not that I want to sound arrogant but when you set up your own Facebook ‘fan page’ it does seem somewhat cheesey and self serving. I get that, but that’s not what it’s about. I’m not looking for fans. I’m simply wanting to stay connected with a wider group of friends.

So why would an ordinary bloke ask people to click the link that says they ‘like’ him? Overinflated ego? Umm … no. A deep cry for acceptance? No again.

The truth is that I jumped on board with Facebook some time ago and have built up quite a number of Facebook friends. Some are family, some are close friends, some acquaintances, some are old school friends, while others are those I’ve ‘met’ online.

I’ve been torn between wanting to accept every friend request I receive and keeping Facebook for those I know personally. Having a wider group of friends means I sometimes can’t share as much as I like, while keeping a very closed Facebook page means I can’t share stuff with as many people as I’d like.

While it’s not a perfect solution I’ve decided to set up a new Facebook page that’s completely open to everyone. You don’t even have to make a friendship request, just click the button and add yourself as a friend.

I don’t really know how this will all work. I may only end up with a handful of friends at the new page but I’m hoping that it’ll get a little busier than that.

If you’re already a Facebook friend and you feel you’d fit better with the new page, feel free to ‘unfriend’ me and join the new page. You’re also welcome to stay connected through both pages. I won’t be removing people from my existing page at the moment.

I’ll still be posting a lot of the same content on both pages but the ability to share things a little differently will allow me to protect my privacy and especially my family’s privacy a little better.

Thanks for your understanding. I hope to see you at my new Facebook page soon.



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Quit Facebook Day

On Monday the 31st of May, people around the world are being encouraged to delete their Facebook accounts as part of Quit Facebook Day.

For a lot of people, quitting Facebook revolves around privacy. This is a legitimate concern, but we also think the privacy issue is just the symptom of a larger set of issues. The cumulative effects of what Facebook does now will not play out well in the future, and we care deeply about the future of the web as an open, safe and human place. We just can’t see Facebook’s current direction being aligned with any positive future for the web, so we’re leaving.

I won’t be one of the crowd choosing to delete my account. I enjoy the opportunity to connect with friends on Facebook and as long as I control my use of the site, I don’t see the need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. On the other hand, I certainly won’t have a problem with those people who decide for whatever reason that their Facebooking days are over.

For some, it may be a chance to break from something that started out small but has now begun to take over more and more of their lives. For other, it will be privacy concerns and some may just feel that they’ve grown tired of Facebook.

What about you? Will you be deleting your account or hanging around?



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Did You Know?

I posted one of these videos in December last year and asked the question So what does this all mean?

I spotted this latest edition on Hamo’s Blog yesterday and it is truly mind blowing. I’m not sure if anyone knows where we’re going but we’re sure getting there very, very quickly.



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