Facebook, is it a good idea?

From Portland Chinese Garden

From Portland Chinese Garden

The questions of opening oneself up to the internet is very difficult to answer in a straight forward manner. One problem with the internet is that all that is “revealed” will continue to spin in cyber space much as space junk continues to circle the earth long after those who created the detritus are not alive. In the same way, the pictures, stories and videos that people load in, load up and away are to continue twenty, thirty or forty years into the future.

The question of judgment is very, very important. At one time, I sent an email to someone that had other recipients’ emails cc’d and not bc’d. There was outrage. There was flaming. There was viciousness. It was an oversight on my part but it quickly taught me that levels of privacy are integral to a person’s value systems.

When I see someone on facebook putting up pictures of themselves dancing joyfully in his or her underwear, I immediately remove that person from my list. Why? Because people assume that those you surround yourself with are in your “tribe” or share your ethics and world view.

It is enough that I see people fully clothed, struggling to present a modicum of politeness and decorum. I wish in all ways that I can to celebrate and reward the actions of making the internet a calmer place.

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So for me, Facebook has been a way to recollect the past. It has been a way to reconnect with people who made a difference in my life. So many of my students have resurfaced and I am filled with joy when I see what they have done with the life they have been given. I found a college room mate from 1964 yesterday and was thrilled. She was studying to be a studio artist and I was working on my M.FA in creative writing. Today she is a poet and I write and teach poetry. However, when I was at that time intent on poetry and English, today I spend an equal amount of time as a visual artist. Being an artist was not even a consideration in my past.

I have begun to chat on line through facebook and have met inspiring people. I have met people who are positive, creative, contemplative and walking a spiritual path. Others are teaching me. Others are widening my world.

In the same way I would not let an angry, hurt being into my house who might damage themselves and others, I retain ownership of who I connect with on Facebook.

Is Facebook a good idea. It is if you are looking to connect with the good in others.