It’s crazy, possibly a trap, certainly a time consumer! Social media is eating up a lot of what used to be spare time and all in the name of making things quicker, easier, more immediate, intimate, short time accessible…..I am sure there is a perfectly good bit of jargon for what I am trying to say but I haven’t got it at the tip of my typing fingers.
Once upon a time starting a blog was something pretty unique, brave, different and cutting edge. Who would have thought sharing your thoughts out there in the great wide web would capture the attention of people all over the world from different countries, backgrounds and belief systems (not to mention the media and potential employers/sponsors).
I started blogging in 2000 which from what I understand was in the early days of blogging. Just a side note – webloging kind of came about in the early 90′s when someone put their personal journal out there for all to see then in 1999 the word “Blog” was used and thus blogging was born. So I got into blogging in 2000 which is pretty early on in the scheme of it and it was all thanks to Cat (thanks Cat!!) I didn’t know about, couldn’t set it up, had no idea how it worked or even why I might want to do it but I got into it. My driving force was so that people who thought they knew me could actually get to know the real me and not the Film TV personality. I blogged a lot and they are all still out there on the net for people to read through if they have the courage, strength and time as Natalie recently has!! Occasionally I will click randomly on the archives and have a read – it is certainly a fascinating look into where, why, who, what and when I was as well as the conversations and replies that flew back and forth between us.
I blogged a lot and frequently, my wife would often ask me what I was doing and why and thought I perhaps spent too much time doing it. My brother couldn’t work out why I – a person in the public who had to contend with that would then go and put myself in the public in a much more intimate and personal way. My sister quietly found my site and would read the posts but never post herself. Eventually my wife would read my posts and the responses and generally enjoy them – not always – they would often spark discussion between us and sometimes argument but all healthy really. I now know a lot of people whom I know well read my blog but never actually tell me they do. I also know that when I have gone for interviews for jobs, sponsorship opportunities and actual interviews for radio/newspapers etc the interviewer has seen my blogs and thus is armed with information to use at their discretion.
That has been the scariest part of blogging actually. That people I don’t know can take information I have freely put out there and use it for or against me. That is why my blogging over the years has decreased, sadly a small number of people were reading and using the info against me. That sounds harsh in fact let me put it a better way – when I realised certain people were reading my blog I then realised the potential for misunderstanding and how that could damage me and my brand. In the early days I could be brazenly honest because for one there was not so much at stake as there seems to be now and not a lot of people knew about or followed blogs so those that did were fellow travelers. Of course this is not only a problem for me nor only for celebrities but for everyone indulging in this brave new world. What once was a wonderful place for true freedom of expression has become a slightly subdued environment where one can express themselves with some caution lest they get, sued, fired or beaten up. Of course I could have changed my name (still could) but what is the point of expressing oneself behind a false name???
I have often felt sad about this change as I have felt less able to express the me I still am, the free and open bloke I was when I began blogging and the me that sits here today with more of a need to do so then ever. I am sorry if I have disappointed people as I withdrew from this world – how ever I console myself with the idea that everything has it’s time, whilst I am not giving it up it has changed due to the nature of social media and the way it makes the world go round – but we did have a good time back in the old days didn’t we?
And so I get back to the point of this post – Social Media. This blog has suffered from it even as it is a part of it. I now have three facebook accounts, a Twitter account (thanks to Kelly – 337 friends now!!) and of course this site. I have several domain names registered which one day I will activate and no doubt need to spend time writing on and hopefully answering questions/requests etc
And so it came to Xmas and it came to the dilemma…..where do I post my Xmas wishes? The answer of course is on every site although I didn’t do that as I felt silly saying the same thing on every site knowing that there are people who follow me on different sites and would see the same message and then if I posted different messages on each site that would take a lot more time and what if one site message was happier than the other???? Damn Social Media!!!!!
Each social media site I have has a different audience and serves a different function which seems crazy as I type this. It is like we are pulling ourselves apart and presenting each part to a succinct section of the community and along the way lessening our ability to truly communicate. As we reach for a broader audience are we dumbing down who we are and therefore our message? Or am I thinking too much, am I not getting what it is all about, am I still coming to terms with the new wave of Social Media ?
I will have to get back to you on that one as it’s time to tweet to my 337 followers that my cup of tea is ready and ask what biscuit I should have with it and whilst I have my cup of tea and biscuit I will check my 3 facebook accounts, my hotmail and email accounts, twitter and peep on my phone and then after all that have a chat to my wife – if I can remember how.
Oh…..and Happy Belated Christmas – I raise my glass and toast to you all and thank you for being on this journey with me.
Cheers
You know, we can set it up so when you blog here, it automatically posts a notification to facebook and twitter. You might have to trust me with a couple passwords, but it can be done. I do it with frytopia.
I agree that facebook in particular hurt my blogging. I did much better in October through early December–and will get back to it as soon as we’re settled into our new home.
While I was careful from the outset regarding what I blogged, my subject matter is still considerably less personal than it once was. Now it’s mostly about my projects, rather than about me. This isn’t so much protecting myself, as it is keeping my blog interesting for me. Then again, I have all of a dozen readers, and don’t need to worry too much.
Oh, and we need to get your twitter account on the sidebar!
Just wanted to wish you and your family a belated Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year in 2012! I enjoy reading your blog…just added myself to Facebook and will follow you on Twitter. Have been a fan for years now! Best of everything to you!
Which is why I don’t blog, publicly
I do journal, privately, a lot …
This question “Who reads what online?” is one I often ponder too and esp. on Facebook though I try to keep my security pretty tight on it, when I post something on a friend’s fb page who is fb friends with some of my students … I started censoring myself for that reason and need to do more of that and every once in a while I get scolded by my sister for some things I put out there. I don’t always agree with her about it, but sometimes she’s right. For me a lot of it comes down to respect, me respecting another and what I do with the info they freely share, but as you say there are some few people out there who are not that respectful and it’s sad how they affect how I have to live my life.
I most certainly enjoy reading your blog entries and responding to them and others and have met some really great people here, some just through electronic conversations but a whole bunch of them in person, which is also really neat. Hmm, how many have I actually met in person? I think at least 10 probably closer to 15!
and they are all fantastic and wonderful people!
First of all, a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year in 2012.
Second, specific to Paul–my brother was VERY impressed with your book and really did a double take when I told him the book came from Australia (which, of course, open the door to how I know Paul, starting with being a fan of SB, becoming acquainted with Paul and all PCs here, etc., etc., etc. . . .) Nevertheless, he’s already eyeing recipes he wants to try.
Lastly, I’ve pulled back from all the social media frenzy–I email, I’ll chat via Facebook or Yahoo; I have one Facebook account and no Twitter. I decided it’s just too much to try and keep up with everything, and everyone although accounts can feed into the other.
While it’s good to keep up with Paul on Facebook, I’m more inclined to read the updates here being the creature of habit that I am. Most likely because, this is Paul’s personal corner, not attached to any other social outlet. Far from the madding crowd–well, not too far, and certainly not that close. The vibe’s more quiet and relaxed.
It’s a great place to be and I’ve met so many great people here, some in person, like Evelyn, Sarah and Rosie, even Grandma Millie and Ellie when they were in the Chicago area for a family reunion.
I enjoy Paul’s many sharings, many emotions and color, as well as his family, fans and colleagues that have posted.
Truly a great place to be–thanks to Cat and Paul and all “PCs” past, present and future!
On to 2012!!
Evelyn, tell the truth, you dont blog because your posts would be 5,000 words long ever time! I tried to beat you onece and it only took 2 pots of coffee and sadly Paul said I missed it by a couple of words………………………ohhhhhhhhhh wellllllllllllllllllllll.
Paul,
I was going to suggest connecting your Twitter to your Facebook too! And you are so welcome about the twitter account! Remember this ” Hey Paul I made you a Twitter account but Paul Mercurio is taken so I made you The Paul Mercurio. You resonded, “yeah I know, I followed your directions and made my own Twitter accoiunt and I took Paul Mercurio”, ohhhhhhh THAT explains why it was taken!!!!! hahahaha Loved that chat!!!!!!
I am very proud of your Twitter and I no longer feel the need to promote it, I think your doing very well on your own.
Funny I just recently posted on here your very first posting back 10 years ago!! C at caought it, did you ???? Funny for those of us that have been with you that long. We are family. And no offense, sometimes we come here to chat with each other. GASP!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
I know, blasfomy!!!! With Facebook were all pretty connected though. I only follow you personal Facebook now and I forgot you had a fan Facebook. I guess I went from fan to friend a very long time ago but will still and always be a fan.
Keep posting here and ,, um,,, ummmm welllll,, F*** the negative journalist and the ycan mind thier own business. I know they were poling thier nose in after your Dad passed and went up to drink with my Dad, and that was wrong and invasive, but inevitable I guess you are still in demand. You always have the option of keeping a blog that is private, password protected and for only those you know, love and trust. Of course I would be in that catagory (I BETTER BE!!!!) That way you can still be raw, private, spiritual and torn all in the privacy of our cyber family.
Toms coming to bed and off goes the cmputer, so love all you guys and Paul, think about what I said!.
Love to all,
Kelly
No Kelli! that is not the reason!!!!
but would be an added benefit for the readers of said blog, if I had one …
upps, misspelled your name, sorry Kelly!
Dear Paul, Cat and the PCs
Happy New Year! I see the hard choices you have to make to remain authentic and at the same time keep parts of yourself private. You are a public figure so the world’s eyes are on you. Even as we write this the National Library of Australia is placing all these in their archives. Thanks to Cat and thanks to you as your writing is now part of the Australian Treasure Trove. So I guess there’s no taking back what was said and written. We see you change over the years and in every second–it is a live blog of the real person that is you. I don’t really see how it can be diluted or made less real. You said you held back saying or writing some things to protect your name and brand–that is part of the real you to choose what to say. Congrats on all your accomplishments. Thanks to our dear webmaster, Cat! Love the PCs
You need a Social Media Secretary Paul!