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Social Media

6/30/2018

13 Comments

 
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Social media keeps me sane, focused and determined.
 
Given that I’m a writer, and on a laptop every day, some folks may be surprised to learn that I used to have zero interest in social media.
 
The fact of the matter is that I was blissfully happy without any of it. 
 
Well into the 1990s, I read newspapers to see what was going on around the world.  For work, I carried around a narrow reporter’s notebook, and did my research at libraries, where I scrounged through reference books, microfiche
and magazines.
 
I didn’t learn how to email until 1998, when I accepted a job where the task was forced on me. I immediately took to it.
 
I loved email.  I no longer needed to send a letter to make contact, or even pick up a phone to communicate. I no longer worried about time differences.  Best of all, I could do interviews this way, which gave my subject time to formulate thoughtful responses to my questions
 
Still, old ways die hard.
 
Maybe that’s why I didn’t join Facebook until more than a decade later.
 
Even then, the site seemed to be a massive time thief; who cared about the cutest kitten, or how to make easy pizza crust?  But during one week in 2009, five folks I knew sent me invites to “friend” them. 
 
I took that as a sign, and took the plunge.  
 
Quickly, I figured out that Facebook was another way to not only do research, but to find new stories and clients.  I was also able to reconnect with folks from my past—a sixth grade classmate who always sat in the back of the room, where he incessantly sketched hot rods; a dear friend who helped me navigate New York City, and relatives I hadn’t seen in decades.
 
Almost as an afterthought, it also became a platform for trading opinions and links with like-minded people. 
 
Yet, I only got on Twitter three years ago. 

There was just one reason to do so: it was a way to promote this writing blog.  It still is, but also, I could “follow” folks whose opinions and expertise are those that I trust and admire. 
 
These persons—John Dean, Maggie Haberman and Michael Avenatti among them—have the background, resources and experience which, every day, are helping me navigate our troubling times. 
 
Their tweets often make me angry and sad, but sometimes, hopeful. That’s all okay, because I also see that millions of others feel the same, and like me, are working hard to effect change.  Just knowing this keeps me sane.
 
Right now, I don’t feel the need to join Instagram or Snapchat, sites that my 20-year-old daughter prefers. 
 
Maybe it’s because there’s enough information on Facebook and Twitter to keep me determined to fight as hard as I can for our country. 
 
Don’t misunderstand me: I’d love to get back to writing posts about puppies and recipes and vacations (and occasionally, I still do).  For now, though, I will keep up with news that, in these astonishing times, is often difficult to comprehend.  I’ll also continue to share and retweet important information, because the bottom line is that it’s my duty as
​an American.    
 
Thanks to social media, my activism has soared. 
 
For this, I am grateful. 
13 Comments
Larry Grant
6/30/2018 02:00:55 pm

Social Media. Yeah. I have two Facebook accts. One that’s school relevant. One that’s more family relevant. There’s certainly some overlap at times. I also have a seldom used Twitter acct. Today’s sociopolitical climate has made me both friends and enemies as a result of speaking my heart on Facebook. Oh well! I’ll continue to check my Facebook accts. with no particular frequency.

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Hilary A Grant
6/30/2018 02:08:59 pm

And here's hoping you'll be keeping all of your accounts for a good long while. :) xo

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Elizabeth
6/30/2018 04:26:02 pm

Funny...a friend asked me to post pictures from my upcoming trip to go surfing in Costa Rica. I immediately thought to myself, um...no. Thats not what I use FB for. All my FB content involves progressive politics. Marching, calling, donating and posting are all I have during the longest four years of my life!

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Hilary A Grant
6/30/2018 06:05:30 pm

I hear you! The last 18 months have definitely been the most challenging ones in terms of my sanity. FB helps me keep it together--even if that means venting to the closed groups I'm in, or sharing articles/TV news stories that need to be looked at, and heard.

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Susan Jordan
6/30/2018 05:47:48 pm

I've been on Facebook slightly over nine years now (since June 6, 2009, to be exact). I've loved and enjoyed it about 98% of the time. I've gotten to connect with new friends and reconnect with old ones. It's given me many laughs and almost as many tears. I also sometimes think I'd lose my mind the last two years if I didn't have the chance to vent or be someone else's sounding board for what's been happening the last couple of years. Facebook is a great tool for staying abreast of friends' lives and the larger world. I appreciate having it, even with its problems.

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Hilary A Grant
6/30/2018 06:09:31 pm

I, too, like it about 98 percent of the time. It's such a great tool in so many ways. And per: the post, I'm also a Twitter fan, because I can connect with movers and shakers who aren't on FB. Twitter is also a way to send messages to those politicians who represent me in Washington.. I even got a message from a New York Times reporter, who found me via Twitter. "Oh, you can find ANYONE on Twitter," she told me. Not exactly true, but there are sure a LOT of folks who are on Twitter, but not FB.

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leslie spoon
7/1/2018 01:12:49 pm

Hilary I can see why a lot of people like Facebook but just my emails keep me too busy on the computer.

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Hilary A Grant
7/1/2018 06:27:45 pm

Good to know that you're committed to doing this. :)

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andrea
7/3/2018 12:48:00 am

Great post, as always, Hilary. Yes, where would we be without social media? It makes it so easy to connect and also learn new skills. Our transcendence, in this sphere, over the last 100 years is truly amazing. When it comes to the political realm--not so much. A lot of work to be done.

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Hilary Grant
7/3/2018 08:13:08 am

Yes, we really are a different planet than 100 years ago... and when I look at my vintage magazines from the 1950s, even then, the difference is astounding. Agree, sadly, on the political realm element.

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kerri fisher
9/2/2018 10:28:26 pm

Not diggin' FB these days - I hop on to play Scrabble, but not much else. Not even sure why - just saturated, I guess. I think it's a phase though. I am sure I will be back with more presence. I love the kitties the best, though, I must admit!

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Hilary A Grant
9/6/2018 10:04:00 pm

And I'll admit that I love great recipes and PUPPIES. It's also good to take a break... helps to recharge. :)

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Bruce
12/8/2018 02:53:25 pm

I took a vacation from Facebook. Didn't log on for 10 days. I was spending so much time on FB and reading a lot of posts especially on Trump and my friend Seamus Verde about SV politics. So I will take another vacation soon,

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    Hilary Roberts Grant

    Journalist, editor, filmmaker, foodie--and a clown! 
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