This is my final term in the ISLT program, which is why I’ve named this blog Adam’s Home Stretch. That said, the name might be a little misleading—this blog isn’t so much about wrapping up grad school as it is about reflecting on my relationship with social media, which, at this point in time, feels... complicated.
There was a time when I was much more active online. My last blog documented my years teaching ESL in South Korea, from 2011 to 2014. Before that, I was a college student with a Facebook account—back when Facebook was still exclusive to college students. I loved posting, sharing photos, commenting, and connecting. It felt fun, fresh, and meaningful. Social media helped me stay in touch with friends and discover new communities. Looking back, those posts now serve as a time capsule of some of the most formative years of my life.
These days, though, I rarely create anything on social media, which is ironic, considering I now work for a major social media company. Part of it is that I don’t always feel like I have something important to say, especially when the feed is flooded with critical sociopolitical commentary or heartbreaking news. On the flip side, it’s frustrating to see how social media has also become a tool for spreading misinformation. All of it leaves me less inclined to participate.
I’ve started to realize that my evolving relationship with social media mirrors my changing worldview. When I was traveling and exploring, I saw the world—and by extension, social media—through a lens of curiosity and optimism. Now, as my perspective has shifted, so has my enthusiasm for these platforms. Social media reflects society, after all, and my discomfort with the state of the world probably explains my discomfort with the current social media landscape.
That’s part of what drew me to this course. I’m hoping it will give me a reason to re-engage with social media—this time not just as a casual user, but as a scholar and intentional observer. Maybe, with the right lens, I’ll find new ways to appreciate the potential for social media to do good. I’m looking forward to finding out.
Reading this post, I found myself thinking about when Facebook prominently showed a relationship status for users. I think today many of us would choose the "it's complicated" option to express our sentiments about our relationships with FB and other social media.
ReplyDeleteThat's an astute observation, Vanessa. I know plenty of people who were massive social media consumers but have uninstalled or deleted select socials due to socio-political and economic shifts. Truly, I can't blame them.
Delete