Here is an article that was recently mentioned by a radio psychologist I like to listen to (Dr. Ray Guarendi). I really took his point to heart. While, personally, I am on Facebook, it has been a love-hate relationship since day one, for reasons I couldn't quite put my finger on, but which are covered in this article:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-08-24-narcissism-young_N.htm
I'm not saying that all people who do social networking are self-absorbed or self centered, but there is something about both blogging and social networking that leans toward gratuitousness. It really gave me a good reason to take a look at myself and question why I do it. Pride is a sin I struggle with daily, and I think the only way for me to stay grounded and avoid the kind of self-worship that I sometimes see online is to continually question my own motives. I think it will be a huge responsibility for me and Stephen (and all parents of our generation) to make sure that our kids know how to temper their use of technology with moderation, modesty and humility, and avoid the kind of self-aggrandization that it is so easy to fall into when a person is given the chance to virtually re-create herself.
1 comment:
this is something I've been contemplating lately. I've been asking myself, "What am I blogging for? What's the purpose?" I hope is not narcissistic. Yikes. For me, it's been a great exercise in writing, and most often I work out my own thoughts. It makes me slow down, really think, and put order to whatever is going on in my brain. And someday, I think my kids will really like to read some of their mother's crazy thoughts.
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