New Rules for Technology

As you already know, I've converted from a letter-writer to a blogger. I love both writing my blog and reading others' blogs. I'm surprised that I've been seduced by this technology since I'm really not much of a technology person. But seduced I am! Along with this new-found passion, however, comes questions. Anything new that impacts our culture is bound to change the rules, and I think blogging has done this. I read several blogs almost daily. A lot of them have some sort of connection with France; almost all are illustrated with a photo or two...or more! Here's question #1: is it polite to read someone's blog and NOT make a comment? I comment only occasionally if an entry really 'speaks' to me on some level. There are blogs that I read and enjoy every day where I've never left a comment. Is this rude? Question #2: Is it okay to use photos on my blog that I DIDN'T take myself? I try to credit Google when I swipe one from there, but when it's obvious that it's not my photo, i.e. I'm telling you about a place I'd like to visit someday, do I have to disclaim that the picture isn't mine? Just an fyi...most of the photos are mine. Question #3: Is it okay to read blogs at work? My hospital has blocked blogs so you can't get to any through their server. So I take my mini-laptop to work and log onto the wireless network if I want to check any. I feel a bit guilty; doesn't stop me from doing it, though! Question #4: If you 'meet' someone by trading remarks in the blog's comment section, are they an acquaintance? How about if you establish an email correspondence with the blog author...are they, then, a friend? I'm sure folks who have friends on Facebook or MySpace could answer this question, but it puzzles me a bit. I always feel like I have to explain how I can have a friend who lives in Belgium or France, or Norway. Question #5: And what if you want to actually meet one of these friends in person, have coffee, share a meal...is this just plain weird? Please let me know if you have answers to any of these questions...I'm trying desperately to get this new technology and its rules right!

Technology

I exchanged emails yesterday with a friend who shares some of my frustration with technology. We both feel that while technology can help make connections with people...think blogs, cellphones, skype, Facebook, Twitter....to truly have a connection and a relationship with someone, you have to interact in person. I know that I pick up a lot of information about people by their facial expressions and body language. For me, having a friend is much more than signing into the Facebook account or sending them a Tweet on Twitter every time I do something. Maybe I'm afraid my life is just too dull to be of interest to anyone moment-by-moment? I know this probably makes me an anachronism, a fossil, an old fuddy-duddy, but I can't help it! Yesterday on a conference call with other managers from my profession, someone suggested that we should use Facebook and Twitter to market our air medical programs. I had to mute the phone so I could scream! NO! that's just wrong!! We need to market interpersonal relationships, not fun facts on technology. Another acquaintance has explained it much better than I can and in a much funnier way. Click here to read what Rich Mayfield has to say about technology: The Practicing Progressive.