I have been looking for a place to express and connect for a while

I have been uncomfortable with fb since it began. I was uncomfortable with the EULA , its entitled and presumptive access to my computer and to information, information about and by people who hadn’t agreed to this. I could see that it took advantage of people’s most basic desire to connect and to share. It was easy and came at a time when many were agreeing to surrender their rights to privacy for jobs, wealth, safety from perceived threats. I sounded out of touch and my concerns silly.

And yet I had an account. I mostly ignored it. A year or so later I found that so many people I knew from far flung corners were all on it and sharing their lives with each other. At first it felt exciting and I eagerly read what everyone was up to. Then it felt awkward. It turns out that my social anxiety is just as active online. It was uncomfortable to know all kinds of things about an old friend without actually having a conversation with them.

I have been brought back to fb for various reasons over the years but my caution and discomfort remained. For some in my life it is often the most consistent way to find them.

I am truly hopeful that this latest intense reaction to the power of a corporote oligarch owning the source of social connection of such a large portion of the global population will lead some of us to create better alternatives.

I have next to no internet right now so I will keep it short. I was thinking a return to the old days of blogs would be nice. My phone is positioned just so in a window to catch enough cell data so I can write this on my laptop.

I am not here to say I knew better or did better. I got sucked into ig knowing full well it was the same. I experienced the pressure to post and felt like I wasn’t enough or should be trying to inspire or inform. I just know that when I don’t feel that way I am usually doing something that is more in line with who I actualy am. Today, here , writing this, I feel that connection to myself.

This is my ridiculously adorable companion Fu.