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The Analog Version of Facebook

Why our digital culture doesn't fit in the real world.

I don't think I've ever posted something like this before, but it rang so true for me — I could not resist. Facebook has only been around and available to everyone, age 13 and older for about 10 years. Likewise, the iPhone soon tagged along in 2007 and the revolution on people and their personal devices was launched.

So, think about someone trying to do the Facebook thing, but in person ...

A SENIOR'S PERSPECTIVE OF FACEBOOK

For those of my generation who do not, and cannot, comprehend why Facebook exists: I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook while applying the same principles.

Therefore, every day I walk down the street and tell passersby what I have eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before, what I will do later and with whom.

I give them pictures of my family, my dog, and of me gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving around town, having lunch, sharing recipes, and doing what anybody and everybody does every day.

I also listen to their conversations, give them the "thumbs up" and tell them I like them. And it works just like Facebook.

I already have four people following me: two police officers, a private investigator and a psychiatrist.

 

Thanks Claire for sharing!

Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.
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