Iona Winter

I know, I said I’d be away for a bit, but I just couldn’t stay away! Kinda like those people who take themselves off coffee, chocolate, and/or other substances and then go straight back to it.

Social Media—is it a substance with which to alter one’s mindset? I think so. It’s not always bad, or good for that matter, BUT when it’s bad it can be truly horrible (as I’ve witnessed on countless occasions). AND it can certainly alter our perceptions with one another. Anything can be taken completely out of context, and sent out into the ether for the whole world to read. What a strange bunch we are.

I’m thinking of taking myself off twitter. I only have 20 followers, so it feels pretty redundant and nebulous. Besides, I can’t really be bothered putting my thoughts into a minimal number of characters, just to get a point across. The ‘get yourself on twitter’ advice hasn’t really worked out for me as a writer.

This medium here suits me fine. It’s a place where I can exercise my free will (and word count) and it doesn’t matter how many likes or re-tweets I get. To be frank I’m just not interested in competing (with others) full stop. It does nothing for me as a person. I’d rather sit down over a cuppa and have a good chat.

The one thing I dislike (about social media) is that it seems to have become a place where people can say anything they like (never mind the consequences). The ruthlessness extended towards one another is astounding. It seems to me that nobody appears to have the guts to say things face to face anymore. How did this happen? 

We’ve moved far away from having a good old face to face conversation with one another, on a regular basis. The skill of interpersonal communication is becoming lost AND (in my humble opinion) has led us towards being a more disconnected, avoidant and insular human race. Does that make me sound like an old lady? Perhaps.

How difficult is it really, to make time in your day to speak to another human face to face? Not that hard if you pause in the lunchroom, or by the water cooler to have a conversation (about anything), or over the fence with your neighbour (when they’re burning rubbish and you’ve got your washing on the line).

There appears to have been an increase, over the past ten years in my line of work (the non-writing bit), of people who are socially anxious and is it any wonder? I reckon WE ALL need to get out more – you know, into the world of people, interacting, laughing, debating, and c.o.m.m.u.n.i.c.a.t.i.n.g.

Yesterday I had a conversation with not one, but a couple of workmates, for more than ten minutes. I really enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend it. Sitting at home, behind your internet capable device is highly over-rated. Try having an old-school conversation with someone over a cuppa—try it, I dare you! Go on and get out there people. Leave your phones, tablets and laptops at home, mix with one another, and for goodness sake talk to each others faces.