Social
Minima
Charlie Earl
Many of you
are reading this column on “social media” sites. Thank you for doing so, but I
must confess that I’m not totally comfortable participating in the 21st
Century media revolution. When I was a child, our telephone was the
wall-mounted cranking variety. Because it was a party line, each home had its
own distinctive ring. Ours was “2 long and 2 short.” When I was 6, we acquired
our first VHF television set with but one channel (WSPD, 13) accessible via our
40 foot tower. No one in our household argued about which channel we would
watch or who controlled the remote….which is a blessing because if we had, my
Father would have cuffed our ears.
Most of my
days in radio were in the analog era wherein we used reel-to-reel tape and
Cartridges. Our audio boards had “pods” (sometimes called “pots”) and toggle
switches. When I “moved up” (or over, or down) to television, the digital age
was in its infancy. Our cameras were more easily adjusted and the video editing
process was dramatically streamlined. Nevertheless, I had to rely on younger,
hipper staff to do the heavy lifting because of my reluctance to totally
embrace the new age. My hesitancy was challenged in 2010, however, as I
prepared to run for statewide office in Ohio.
The man who
designed my website insisted that I have a “Paypal” link, “Facebook” page and a
“Twitter” account. He was right although I failed miserably using any of them.
As some of you may know, my “Earl for Ohio” page on Facebook remains my primary
vehicle for posting stories, comments and columns. It is proof of my reluctance
to change and adapt because the campaign ended more than two years ago. I must
admit that I am a tad distrustful of the social media sites although my
curmudgeonly manner causes me to sometimes post intemperate thoughts.
Also…while the social media pages have introduced me to several new and lasting
friends (many of whom I couldn’t identify in a line up), I sense that those
vehicles are consuming too much of my time.
As one grows
older, time becomes a more valuable commodity….similar to that ugly piece of
furniture from Granny’s house that has transformed into a precious antique. My
lack of patience and my feeble keyboard skills limit my willingness to engage
in long form discussions on these social media. I prefer to strike the “zinger”
and move on. Dense minds annoy me and I find ignorance intolerable (especially
my own). As a result my input into serious discussions on these forums (fora?)
is limited and not particularly enlightening….for others and for me. I truly
relish the role of salient quipster but the ultimate impact of my blithering
may be minimal. I must face the obvious: I’m much too wordy for 140 characters
or fewer, and far too irreverent to engage in serious discussion on a global medium.
Clearly I am out of sync with the times.
Yes, “out of
sync”…that’s what I wrote. Something like Cicero appearing on “Love
Connection,” or Attila the Hun on “Glee” (or Tim Tebow in New York). I do
understand the power of instant communication and social media because I see so
many young people with extended, calloused thumbs these days, but I continue to
feel like the farm boy attending his first strip club…..awkward, out of place
and truly amazed. As a passionate defender of personal liberty, I understand
the power and value of these tools. There is no doubt in my mind that many of
us, our statements and our thoughts are monitored by government and corporate
sharks. If these media become a serious threat, I expect harsh measures to
ensue, but I wonder…..can the cause of freedom really be advanced with 140
characters or fewer? Or are our posts mere caricatures of the real? Could the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers have been as powerful in cyberspace? I think
I shall go read a book now and enjoy my comfort zone. Oh, but first, to
illustrate my labored point….I just learned TODAY how to endorse others on
“Linked In.” Their individual skills have probably diminished while waiting for
my endorsement.
Charlie Earl
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