Controversies & A Note on Social Networking

In recent weeks I’ve engaged in a number of debates and discussions about several topics on various social networking and web sites. At times I’ve found myself getting repetitive as the same points came up again and again. I don’t think this is useful or interesting (I’m sure with some of the discussions everyone bar those posting had left long before the threads faded away). Also, some of the criticism aimed in my direction suggests I haven’t made myself clear and have misled others about my opinions. On those topics important to me and, I think, to the outdoors I intend posting my views on this blog over the next week or so to make it clear where I stand.

It’s not controversial but I’ll start by explaining how I use social networking sites. I regularly use three – unsurprisingly these are Twitter, Facebook and Google +. I don’t however actually look at these sites that often, except when I am responding to a comment on something I’ve posted. This blog is linked to all three sites so that any post appears on them within seconds of being published without my needing to do anything except click on a Google + message asking if I want my post to appear on that site.

Most of my other posts are links from emails I receive or websites I visit. Anything I find of interest I share via Add This or buttons on the site. Again I don’t have to actually visit the social networking sites to do this. Anything I share on Twitter or Facebook automatically appears on both sites. When comments are made on anything I’ve posted I get emails. That’s when I go to the sites.

One point I’d like to clear up is that when I post something it does not necessarily mean I agree with all or any of it. I post things that I find interesting and think others may do so too. I may disagree, have no opinion, or even be unsure as to my view. That doesn’t matter. If I “like” or “agree” or “favourite” something then I do mainly agree with it. Otherwise I may or may not.