6.24.2014

Social Media my source for world events.

My daily intake of “New Media” begins at 6:00am.  Wake up  and check the Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN, Youtube, Pinterest, and Blogger feeds.  I always have to make sure things are good on the social media front! Who knows what could have jumped off between 1am and 6am when I caught a few hours of useless sleep. Who has time to sleep when the world is abreast with Netflix movies to be watched, DirectTV Soccer games to be tapped, and catching up with Jon Steward on Hulu.com while on the treadmill by 7:30am.   Ahh, John Stewart  my favorite pass time while “Mappingmyfitness”, “Polarizing” my heart-rate and tracking my caloric intake using myfitnesspal apps.  These new forms of media are woven into my mommy world like a fine crafted tapestry.  Each Day I use on average 5-7 different types of new media to manage me and the “little people”.  I have often thought what would my world as a mom look like without the carefully positioned distractions of social media breaks, electronic shopping list and coupon printing, weather checking, traffic monitoring, amber-alert notifications.  Don’t get me started on my Netflix, Hulu, and GoogleTV time! Oh, I think I mentioned that before but it was worth mentioning a second time.   How did they plan playdates or check for food allergies and GLUTEN  in those ancient days without smartphones and barcode readers.  I think they called that the  “Cell-A-SUAR” period of telecommunication.   My whole world would literally unfold if I had to actually get my news watching “Diane Sawyer” on Network TV.  Really? Who does that anymore?  Why would you when you have the “Town Crier” on Facebook and Twitter.  You know that person who seems to always have the latest breaking news every-time? Its like Wolf Blither was cloned 2000 times over to deliver the news first.  All joking aside its the way I found out about every major event.   For example, Whitney Houston, School Shootings, when Pluto was no longer a planet, etc. You know important news event!  I must add this tiny side note a very interesting transformation happened in my perspective on  “Big” events.    I was able to stay more informed with the current events because I was not “traumatized” by the images shown on TV.  I could keep updated on all types of news without the pain associated with the images. I can take in the facts without getting drawn into the nonessential dramatization for ratings.  I through in that side note because it does effect my state of mind as a mom with kids.  Living a life without fear and trauma is a core value in my “Mom Declaration” and new media outlets for current event tracking provide an excellent alternative.  This is very important to middle aged mommyhood in a social media landscape because it helps me to stay “Centered, Balanced, and Whole” for my two little people to grow up “Digital and Dignified”. 

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Roschelle,

I agree that social media is important in order to keep abreast of changes in the world. I always check Facebook for any information regarding friends and family that I may have missed. I also use social media to keep up with political and news events which are reported quicker by Facebook posts than in the media. I also use social media for medical Associations to keep up with any new form of treatment, particularly as it relates to premature newborns and obstetrical patients. The information in this area of healthcare changes frequently and keeping up-to-date is important for the patients whom I provide care.

Renee said...

Roschelle -
When I pasted in your link, it went to a page that had no content, but it was easy to find your most recent post on the right, which brought me here. Anyway, you do a great job sharing your social media use with your examples. We can tell that you rely on technology to get through the day. I would have liked you to talk more about how social media influences your perspective of events, too.

Unknown said...

Thanks Dr. Martin. I agree with you. I didn't go into a lot of detail about how social media shapes my perspective on events. It is a bit of a loaded question for me. I will post something that addresses all angles. :)

dbradshaw77@gmail.com said...

I enjoyed this blog you seem to be a very, very connected person! It seems that you have just about all the sites covered and than some! Do you feel that you spend a lot of your day just being always connected? I myself also love Netflix, that is a big way that I am current with movies since I live in a very isolated town. I feel where I live if I was connected to social media in some kind of way I would experience this sense of detachment from the "outside" world.

Unknown said...

I do agree with staying in tune with the world, although I would rather live without my smartphone. I do not like being able to get notifications form social sites all day because I wouldn't want to miss any part of my one year old daughter growing up. I do not want to let the news of today scare me from letting my daughter and I experience LIFE in real-time. I too have precautions, but do not let myself become obsessive. I am not coming down on your lifestyle, just simply stating what is also important to me as a new mother.
Erin

Unknown said...

Roschelle,
First, let me start by saying I love how you describe your day and the important role that social media plays in it. As a mother of two daughters, ages 13 and 12, I never realized how social media could possibly help organize my day. Obviously, my use of social media is primarily to be nosy, while occasionally stumbling upon something of importance. I've got to step up my game!

Anonymous said...

I have to admit I also love Netflix and Hulu Plus. It allows me to keep up with my shows since I seem to spend less and less time at home. My daughter loves Netflix to watch her kid shows and movies. I am addicted to social media. I find myself checking my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram like having morning coffee. This past Easter, I decided to give up social media for lent and it was an eye opener as to how much I used social media in my everyday life. Nice Blog!