Admittedly, I am regularly called “old” by my partner, peers, and coworkers for my lack of digital engagement. Particularly as it pertains to social media. I have a Facebook solely for the purpose of communication with a number of recreational groups for hobbies like pool, softball, and baseball. I am an anonymous user on Reddit where I enjoy pet videos, anything food related, and sports talk, and admittedly, I love Youtube. Although I’ve never posted anything of my own. I also enjoy playing video games with my younger brother and the collaborative problem-solving that entails. Other than that, my digital footprint and affiliations are very limited. This is not for a lack of knowledge, I’m actually pretty good with technology and love to play with new systems, programs, and interfaces. I love music, and am constantly playing in Garageband, sampling music and creating. Thus my affinity for Youtube; I realize the power of digital spaces, and love the idea and power of performance, especially when in the form of music and poetry like this!
However, I am a very private person in my day-to-day and the power and reach of the internet has always made me a bit uneasy. Call it a combination of what Henry Jenkins refers to as “the transparency problem” and “the ethics challenge,” but my lack of trust regarding internet privacy combined with the loose rules and regulations of personal data leads me to generally steer clear. Not to mention the possible impacts on mental health. Despite my personal disdain for social media, I do understand the value of the participatory culture these digital spaces provide. I worked a little with social media to promote various bars and restaurants where I was employed in the past and the benefits from marketing and community engagement perspectives are undeniable. Students and young people around the world are building their own brands like businesses and changing the social and technological landscapes, and the participation gap seems to get smaller every day. Perhaps my journey as an educator will lead me to become more digitally present, particularly for the sake of my students. But for the time being, I’m okay being “old.”
Check Your Tone 
Hi Anthoni, I appreciate your ironic meme at the end (it is an “old” style of meme like Grumpy Cat, etc.) I also appreciate what you have to say about steering clear of an overbearing media presence. You see the good of connections and promoting expression and art, but also practicing digital distancing because of the murky regulations each site possesses.
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Hey Anthoni,
I think that you hit the nail on the head by saying that you enjoy learning new interfaces. I think that’s all it really comes down to to understanding new apps and platforms on the level we’ll be engaging with them. I also feel video games keeps us young! They are a great tool to keep the mind sharp and open to new possibilities, problem solving, and starting over when something is not working – all skills needed in our everyday lives.
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Hi Anthoni. I am also considered “old” to other people because of my lack of digital engagement. Like you said, I really only use social media to connect with others like family and friends, but I don’t use it for many other reasons beyond that. I also appreciate what you said about steering clear of being overly present/engaged in the digital world. Social media is a great place for speaking out and promoting change, but a lot of those topics are very controversial and for me personally, I just fear about adding to that conflict and becoming involved in it. It’s also good though that you recognize its benefits of promoting expression (like art and poetry as you said) and establishing connections with friends and different social groups.
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Hello Anthoni,
I love your willingness to be [gasp] “old”. As someone who is also quite wary to use new technologies immediately (I never update my phone’s software until until there is a third decimal), I think that creating opportunities for students to introduce us to those technologies (if they’re willing to use them). Choosing between different programs and interfaces might just be the modern variation of choosing which rhetorical device is most appropriate. It engages students to think about their purpose and audience, and forces them to consider which option will best reach their intended audience.
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Anthoni, I appreciate your thoughtful and seasoned reflections on the course readings, especially your point about preferring to be private in a social media culture that demands a constant updating to stay relevant. You connect them well to Jenkins’ ideas of transparency and ethics of participation.
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