Modern vs traditional?

This morning while I was feeding Bagas,our youngest son, my husband posed me a question that stroke me, “Why do you often Tweet and Facebooking? And recently, Path?” He continued “Do you know that you and all other people are sort of being “abused” or “terjajah”by social media tycoons? Your and other people’s life are ruled by them, somehow. You need to post every morning only mentioning that you are awake. And then post again every evening to say that you are sleeping. Don’t you find it funny sometimes?” He smiled and ending his statement by saying “Do you know how much fortune they have made just by having you lot register as their followers? And you dear, what have you made out of it?” It stroke me because I don’t really have a good answer to argue him back and somehow, deep inside my heart, I also kind of agree on his thought. I am not a big fan of social media although, I have to admit, I have signed up in so many social media account. You name it. Twitter, Facebook, Path, Instagram, Whatsapp, LINE, even the oldies version of social media such as Plurk and Friendster. Yikes, seeing the list made me realize how “silly” I am. I am following things that are perceived to be the latest trend on Earth, for what? So people don’t stamp me as “gaptek lady”? So I can be “friends” with many people? What about my real friends? How many have you seen face to face or by phone? I started to realize how often I am “trapped” in my own world called social media. Instead of having a warm conversation with my husband in the evening, or accompanying my kids drawing something they like, or call my old friend just to say hi, I spend most of my spare time posting pictures such as food or jokes on socmed. For what?  I have to admit (again), I post things because I expect people to give comments on my post or emoticons. I am happy when people respond to my post. But then again, I question myself, is that what I call REAL happiness? Are they genuinely like your post or just show a form of “basa basi” because they feel bad if nobody post in your comments? What about the people that are physically around you? Your children who are in bed waiting for you to turn off your cellphone and start reading them bedtime stories, how have you treated them so far?

When I was in Berkeley two months ago, out of the blue, I spontaneously send postcards to my sister and close friends. I expect nothing at that time. But, surprisingly, the reaction was definitely so meaningful for me. My sister and friends LOVED receiving my postcard. One of my friend even send me back a postcard from Frankfurt, Germany!  Not because the postcard was from Berkeley, but the sign of affection (according to them) felt stronger by reading the postcard, even if I only say “Happy Ramadan, I miss you!” J but it made a big difference on our relationship. The excitement of receiving something from the postman is absolutely different and definitely more meaningful than simply make a status on Facebook and tag my sister and say “Happy Ramadan, I miss you”. Although it is much simpler by greeting people online but to me personally, it is more unforgettable to receive them by post or phone calls. I don’t know, maybe because it takes a different level of efforts and time in sending them and that is what I appreciate most.

So, back to my husband’s question. Why do you Path? Tweet? FB? Unless you are running an online shop or any kind of business online, I hard to find a good answer for that. Posting photos? Why don’t you print one of the best photos you have with your friends and give it to all of them when you have a gathering, or maybe send them by post? They will be surprised! J  Why do you put a status of what you are doing? This one, I don’t have the answer as I almost never put a status on what I am doing in Facebook J But then again, people are different and we should appreciate that. For me, I do feel that I want to shy away from Twitter et. al for a bit. I think it will make my life happier. However, it is your choice either to be involved or not involved (or at least not heavily involved like me! J) in social media paradigm. You are the one who has the power to set your own limit, not your friends or followers. At least just remember, whenever you want to tweet or update your status, do it wisely and bare the risk. And also try to do the traditional things sometimes, send birthday cards by post, it is fun! J

 

Picture is from here