That is certainly the question!! I have intentionally stayed away from Twitter because frankly, I don't need another drain on my time! Due to some weird circumstances, I actually logged over 77 hours of work last week. I'm sleep deprived, seriously behind in housework, behind in book reviews, behind in my reading, and behind in catching up with some of my favorite TV shows. Behind in time with the kids and behind on my new workout schedule. I'm spending WAY too much time on Facebook. And yet....I'm thinking about Twitter. Why??? Because it seems like everyone else has a Twitter account, and I think I'm afraid I'm missing something!!
In this age of connectivity, is it possible to be TOO connected?? With cell phones, pda's, blogs, email, Facebook, MySpace, and now Twitter, there are so many ways to check in with people, do I really need ONE more?? Sometimes I think it would be easier if I wasn't connected at all. There are days when I don't want anyone to be able to "find" me!!
The kids are growing up in this completely connected world. Chad has a cell phone (he's 12) and is constantly getting text messages from his friends. He has email, and an IM account. The girls have a Club Penguin account and now a Pixie Hollow account. They like to make new "friends", just like us grownups. Pretty soon, we are going to have to get another computer just to keep up with them!!
So, I ask you.....what's the appeal of Twitter?? Why should I or should I not Twitter??? I'd like to hear from the masses!
=======================================
In reading news, I signed up for 2 more challenges this week. Carl's Once Upon a Time III Challenge and Becky's End of the World Challenge. Both are awesome, fun challenges...and in genres that I love: fantasy and dystopian/apocalyptic fiction. I'm encouraging one and all to join in the fun!!
I have a couple of reviews to post this week : Jason Pratt's Cry of Justice, a High Fantasy battle/epic and Lisa Jackson/Nancy Bush's thriller, Wicked Game. Hopefully, I'll have a couple more too....I'm 1/2 through Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely and I'm hoping to get through Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games as well. In fact, with a few days of much needed PTO time this week, I'd even like to slip in a vampire novel or two. Did anyone read any good books this week?? Something that will just have to go on my TBR mountain??
I think that's all for now....I'm off for a nap before I have to go in to work!! Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
To Twitter or Not to Twitter......
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
24 comments:
Whoa...I'm incredibly impressed with how much reading you got done considering the week you had!!!
I say to Twitter :P I understand your hesitation, though, as I'm one of the remaining five people on earth who have no facebook account. I used to think I'd never join Twitter, but well, then I did, and it has been fun. There are lots of book bloggers, authors and publishers on there, and it's fun to participate in all the book talk.
For me, Twitter works because I know I can step back anytime I want to, and because I don't feel like I have to keep up with everything that goes on there. A lot of the people I follow Twitter a lot, which is fine, but after a whole day away I open Twitterfox just to check my @ replies, and mark everything else as read. Otherwise I'd go insane.
All those online things only work for me if they allow me to remain invisible when I want to, and Twitter does. This is why I dislike sites that show you online status and have no option to set it to private, or those widgets on blogs that show the exact location of the last visitors. Why oh why must people have those? They make me so uncomfortable :S
Oh my, Stephanie. I hope you get some "ME" time this week, as well as some family time. 77 hours!?! Whew!
I personally have decided against Twitter, Facebook, etc. I love meeting new people too, but it's become a quality thing and quantity thing to me. I like to really get to know people. You can't do that if you spread yourself too thin. Or maybe it's just my 46 year old brain that can't absorb it all;-) Anyway I think we are all different and what's best for one isn't necessarily best for another. Have fun whatever you decide (and get some sleep!)
I signed up for FB at the request of my coworker a few weeks ago, but I am already bored withit. :) Blogging is the only social outlet that I've really had any lasting interest in. Twitter if you want to, but don't be peer pressured to do it. Life is busy enough as it is!! I hope this week is better for you. 77 hours is simply insane!!
The whole Twitter debate has been on my mind too, as I have decided to try to spend more quality time with hobbies and less time on the computer this year. I have a Myspace and Facebook account, but do I really need one more account to destract me from other things I love? That is why I really love the whole blog thing because it's a community of people who enjoy the same thing and so we encourage each other in our hobbies. I feel like I am doing something hobby-like when I read about other people doing the things I enjoy, instead of just snooping into other peoples "profiles". I don't know if that made any sence! Anyway, I hope next week is less stressful for you! Hope you find some time to do the things you enjoy!
I got rid of Facebook because it took too much time. Facebook has lots and lots of applications which require constant attention. I let go of Myspace also. Myspace did not get me what I was seeking.
I like Twitter primarily because it is interactive. People can and do respond to what you post and you can have a much larger audience than in blog very quickly if you want to make statements. Also if managed correctly Twitter does not take a huge amount of time. Twitter is also 140 characters which makes you condense what you have to say.
If you want a professional network, LinkedIn started as a directory for C level executives. There are many more serious contacts than on Facebook. I have thought about it.
I joined Twitter. I'm enjoying it. I get to 'talk' to other bloggers, authors, publishers, etc. I've actually won a few books on there. It is a huge time suck though.
I can see how you are sleep deprived! I hope you get a long nap today! I don't know how you do all that you do--77 hours a week is crazy, not to mention everything else! I've never seen Twitter, and I don't have any close friends who have an account, so I don't feel any draw. It seems that with those types of things though, once you start, it begins to take up more and more time. I have a facebook account, and sometimes I spend quite a bit of time each week, but then there are weeks when I don't log on at all.
I refuse to join Facebook or Twitter! Not gonna do it, nu-uh! I just know I'll either hate it or become addicted so I'll just stay away... I spend enough time online as it is!
There is certainly a lot of buzz around Twitter at the moment. I have been avoiding it for exactly the same reason as you! I already spend far too much time on the computer without adding yet another thing to check on or keep updated!
To Twitter! I enjoy twitter. And I find that it's really not all that much of a time suck because there's only so much you can do on that site. It's not a time suck at all actually. It's just like updating your facebook status 30 times a day :p
So many great books Steph! And congrats on the PTO time! I have some coming up myself in April and I'm so excited about it...isn' that just wonderful?
Hmm...I don't know whether you should twitter or not as I currently don't. I just don't have the time for it and so I stay away. But that is just me and I'm sure there are those who do find the time that love it. I joined the Once Upon a Time Challenge as well and am looking forward to it :)
Twitter is fun for the most part. To me, it's like peeking in on the "behind the scenes" of book blogging. However, sometimes I do feel like I'm in a big crowded room, trying to talk, and no one is listening! It's also fun for a good safe way of stalking celebrities.
I enjoy Facebook because I use it to connect to IRL friends and family.
Let us know if you decided to go for it! Because you know, you'll instantly have a gazillion followers!
Stephanie, I say to Twitter...for the next six weeks. ;-) My thesis revolves around Facebook and Twitter, and I would love one more connection and possible survey taker. And, if after six weeks, you decide it's too much of a time drain, we can delete our accounts together!
Your life sounds like mine! I don't have either a Twitter or Facebook account and don't plan on signing up. I can't even keep up with my LT groups (which I love), nor my Yahoo book groups or Blog Reader...so I am not in a hurry to add one more social network to my life. I *do* think one can be TOO connected. I now have a new puppy to add into the mix...oh, and yes, my husband as well *smiles* I'm sure that in a few months there will be another new site that everyone wants to get involved in...sometimes you just have to be selective.
I've decided not to Twitter. I am on Facebook, but I don't feel like I have to visit every day or comment. Blogging is my biggest priority when it comes to social software.
Hope this next week is a little less crazy!
Yeah... I have avoided Twitter. I only even have a facebook account because people pestered me endlessly a few years ago to get one. I really hardly ever use it! So, I can't see myself using Twitter... I was thinking the other day that everyone seems to have it, though. I was wondering if I was the only one that obstained!
I have been avoiding Twitter because I already spend way to much time on my computer! I was and FACE book and couldn't stand the endless games and stuff people invite me too. I just found it a waste of time. I didn't enjoy it.
Twitter does sound better because you can conect with publishers and authors, but again, it's a time issue for me.
Since I started blogging I have noticed I read less book per year. However, I wont give up blogging. I like to review the books that I read and I like to read other reviews from my fellow bloggers. I have stopped participating in most memes though. I hope that people who send me memes aren't offended, I just need to cut back on something to save time.
i'm guessing that the kids would NOT want to go back to the time of the Pony Express huh? lol
What Tink and Shannon and... um... quite a few other people said. {g}
JRP
I have twitter but I don't spend much time on it. I've found that I don't necessarily like being connected all the time. I have Facebook but I use that for catching up with far-flung old friends and I don't spend much time there either.
I read Thirteen Reasons Why this week and loved it! Rest up...77 hours is killer.
I'm definitely of the don't bother Twittering variety, but that is because I don't do it myself. I am not a technophobe, just a 'why be bothered' person. I've never really enjoyed 'chatting' online and have never wanted to have the myspace, facebook, twitter scene take up my time. There is too much distraction already!
I enjoy Twitter, but what I like about it is that you can spend as much or as little time on it as you want!
77 hours? Whew, get some sleep!!!!
Post a Comment