Sunday, July 25, 2010

Over Exposure in Social Media



"In photography, exposure is the total amount of light allowed to fall on the photographic medium (photographic film or image sensor) during the process of taking a photograph" -Wikipedia

I know that when I use too much light when I'm taking a picture, it damages the end result, making the picture not easy to see. At times you can't see it at all. There's a required delicate balance when it comes to using the flash option. If you're already in bright sunlight, you don't need to use the flash, right? When someone has that really cool camera where they then need a dark room to develop the negatives, what happens when someone turns the light on during the developing phase? The pictures don't develop well. But if the light is kept off until they develop properly, the end result is a fabulous picture and a sealed memory of what was hopefully a series of treasured moments.

We also know that too much sun exposure can cause sunburn, and can lead to a higher risk of skin cancer. But there are those that think they absolutely must have the darkest tan possible, so regardless of possible negative outcomes, they spend as much time in the sun as possible, oftentimes unprotected.

What about over exposure in Social Media?

When faced with a crisis, illness, unfortunate marriage problems, friendships gone awry, job issues, etc, social media status updates, at times, share a lot of unnecessary information.
I think any social media we have available is a place where we are already standing in very bright sunlight. Placing that comment or status update that isn't necessary is just like using the flash option on the camera, it's going to result in a distorted picture that no one will want to look at, unless they're into that sort of thing.

When one posts an update that slams their friend, manager at work, life partner, spouse, even their kids, this is where sunburn sets in. Ouch.

The good thing is, there's always that delete button. Your status update, or "what's on your mind" is like your signature. I myself don't want to sign anything that shouts negativity. I don't mind anyone venting, but I think it should be done in a small way, hopefully about something that my friends can relate to and say, "Hey, I understand and totally feel you on this". I don't understand why some feel the need to air their "dirty laundry" in a social media environment. Yes I know, I've blogged about similar subjects before. I think this may be me "venting" =).
In trying to remain steadfast in my support of friends that appear to be in need of a gentle response, I do try and comment something positive that will hopefully provide a different perspective on the situation, kind of like being the aloe on the sunburn.

But if it's political, i.e. slamming the President, or religious bashing, just to name two, I stay so far away from those updates my zip code changes. I like the "to each his own" stance a lot of people take on various subjects, because I don't like people judging one another either. I just often wonder when I read something negative, did the person feel better after posting that?

I hope I can be the balm that soothes when it's needed. It's an always present goal of mine.

Mondays breakfast will be a culmination of all of that fabulous fresh fruit I bought over the weekend. Oh Dallas farmers market, I love you.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

2 comments:

Serenity said...

I always sort of prided myself on spilling my guts. And I don't think it's because of social media, but it definitely happened at the same time, that I've realized the grace in knowing when to shut up and keep things to myself. :) Like anger, bitterness, and especially momentary grumpiness. Unfortunately this makes me really silent on FB. I can so rarely think of anything I want to say to my highschool friends AND my coworkers AND my family, etc., etc. Twitter is easier for me, because people know they've signed on to hear my random thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Isn't that the truth? (FB) It's that very reason, the WIDE variety of people on my friends list, that keeps me from saying about 80% of what I want to say at times. I love twitter, it's my fav.