The X-ed Bird, Some Threads, & an Elephant in the Sky

Posted by

49

IMG_6114

I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with social media. I’ve been complaining about it (sometimes right here) for almost ten years. Yet there I still am.

For me, drowning in the sea of social media platforms that we “should” join isn’t new.

However…

Changes have been made and things are happening and it’s all a bit of a dumpster fire at the moment. 🔥🔥🔥

The tweeting blue bird has officially been X-ed.

Threads are weaving through the online world. Messages are floating through the big blue sky. And mammoths are running amok.

Never being one to jump at the shiny, new thing, I’ve not done so with the millions who are Threading. (Yes, I just turned that into a verb. I’m embarrassed.)

Still, I am wondering whether these new (or newer) platforms might be worth it.

Threads *seems* easy. I’ve heard of Mastodon. I recently got an invite to Bluesky. And yet. 

I’m not really active on any platforms at the moment. I honestly don’t know where to share stuff anymore. Because I want to share. Sharing is nice. 

Don’t get me started on all the privacy issues, the owners who are…sketchy or worse, the potential problems (because of said owners and, let’s face it, people on the sites). I try not to think about it too much and just live in a small bubble of followers and followees.

My random thoughts in (slightly over) 200 words.

thought bubble2

Are you on any of these platforms? How do you like them? Which do you suggest? (And, may I ask, why?) 

 

49 thoughts on “The X-ed Bird, Some Threads, & an Elephant in the Sky”

  2. Sharing too much certainly isn’t welcome on FB anymore. They think you are spamming and you get kicked off. Sharing on the blogs isn’t like it used to be either. Everything was so inclusive before. We all tried to engage. I don’t see that anymore. I had a troll on WP the other day. It was the first time in years! I deleted their comments about my poetry. This world is not kinder or gentler, even though I try everyday to make it so. I don’t like Instagram or FB. But that’s where everyone is. I’m not impressed with BlueSky or Mastadon. I actually like Threads! It’s an easier platform to deal with. But you can’t have Threads without Instagram. What a pain! LOL! 😂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Nothing is like it used to be. I get that these things change (and quickly, too) but I also recognize I’m having a bit of trouble figuring out exactly how to change and which way to turn the ship. Okay. Threads. I do have IG but find it…not bad, exactly, just difficult to keep up with everyone. I miss a lot. Also, I find there isn’t much interaction on there, just “likes” with few comments.

      I agree that the world, both online and in person, is not seeming kinder or gentler. I appreciate those who try to make it that way. (I’m looking at you, Colleen.) 💝

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      • Sarah, I hope to see you on Threads. It’s actually much kinder and gentler than Twitter/X ever was. All the sharing, with no reading… what good is that? I was so tired of thanking folks for sharing my posts that no one read. It was a huge waste of time. I think that’s what wore most people out. It’s not engagement, just sharing posts. Comments on the blogs are so much more favorable, don’t you think. Hugs and love to you, Sarah. 💖

        Liked by 1 person

      • I like “kinder and gentler”. I will look into Threads a bit more. Thank you! Twitter was my only social media account that I consistently used but, even then, I didn’t get too much interaction because I was really selective when it came to following people (did not want any drama) and only had a small number of tweeps compared to most.

        That’s exactly it. I was sharing blog posts and bloggers were thanking me, but I was thinking I didn’t really do anything. It’s the thought that counts, I guess? Blogs are wonderful for those who are consistent and have a lot of time to dedicate to crafting posts, visiting everyone else’s blogs, and commenting. That is a huge commitment and I admire those who have that dedication. But, as you can see, I lack that dedication and time. 😂 I do what I can when I can. Hugs back at ‘cha! Love and light my friend. 💖💖

        Liked by 1 person

  3. I bailed out of Twitter and Instagram a year ago. I’m still on LinkedIn to keep former work colleagues who like my writing apprised of what I’m doing. I’d love to get off Facebook, but it seems to be the only place for me to share book reviews to support other writers. I think social media are in a transitional phrase as people become fed up with the currents options. I have no idea where it’s going to land (or when). In the interim, I’m not going ofter the latest Bright Shiny Object in the social media world. (Been there, done that, wasted a lot of time.)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Right? Promo is out completely, I think. At this point, I feel like people appreciate you “sharing” but it’s not really doing anything. It’s never done anything for me, that’s not new, but I was always able to share for my tweeps and fellow bloggers. Now that feels like blowing bubbles into the wind.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  6. I’m sort of stuck with all the old ones and not migrated to the new ones. I know a few people on Masterdom, but I’ve not heard how they find it. I do fear, however, that wherever I go I will end up watching countless cute cat and dog videos…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. I use social media, but don’t hang out on it a lot.

    I’d leave FB tomorrow if I didn’t have family and friends there.

    Frankly, I tend to connect better with people by blogging than any of the social media platforms.

    I should write a blog post or article about this subject, because as far as I can tell, the main purpose of most social media is to encourage addictive behavior.

    It also tends to encourage people to behave in ways they normally wouldn’t in front of an actual person.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I’ve heard a lot of people sat they would leave FB if they didn’t have family and friends there. I’m not there but I’d probably be the same way. I’ve never hung out on any of the platforms but have been on Twitter the longest and been most consistent with that. I do want to get away from there, though. Agreed. 100% People behave very differently on social media, I think. OMG! SOCIAL MEDIA IS MR. HYDE! 😂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • It is. Very much.

        But I’ve actually had the pleasure of meeting IRL readers of my books because of blogging. Which is awesome! Especially since one such reader was in another country.

        So, you could say I took a trip to Ireland and the UK just to meet an Irish writer and an English reader, which wouldn’t be quite true. But it was a most unexpected delight to do so. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  9. I was never very active on anything but my blog, Sarah, and I officially exited Twitter some time ago, even before it became X. Honestly, I miss tweeting the wonderful posts of other bloggers, but I just couldn’t tolerate the promotion of hatred. We all have a choice and I made mine. I’d love a healthy alternative where people could hang out a celebrate each other. If you ever come across a platform that does that, be sure to let me know!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Right?! It’s not uncommon. I don’t have as many as some, but I do have accounts gathering virtual dust (I’m looking at you, Pinterest). I have only really been able/wanted to manage one account but don’t even have that one “go-to” anymore. Are you active on any of them?

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.