The Dark Side Of Web 2.0
Monika Mundell on April 29th, 2008This post was written by Monika Mundell
Not everything about Web 2.0 is cool. As a matter of fact, many bloggers feel totally over whelmed by sheer pressure and wonder what all the fuss is about.
As Yoda said in the famous Star Wars Movie, The Phantom Menace
Hard to see, the dark side is.
So what is the dark side of the Web 2.0 and how can we possibly avoid it? For starters, how about the time we spend online, trying to forge new friendships via the various social networking sites. Or how about feeling left behind because everybody and their dog seems to be on Twitter, Facebook or MySpace these days.
The fact alone that many of these sites pop up like cultured mushrooms all over the Internet is worry some enough.
Naturally, nobody holds a gun to our heads and says we have to participate in any of these networks/sites. However, if we don’t we most likely loose not only track with what is going on web wide, but we also miss out on exciting events.
While I love networking, I long ago realized that it comes with a hefty price tag. That tag is called time.
Time your day with easy steps that work
While in the baby stages of my online business I joined anything and everything I came across, I soon realized that I was running myself into the ground by trying to do too much. Therefore I became an avid user of my very own Moleskine hack diary.
After trying countless online applications to track my time and even going as far as creating my own excel spread sheet to block together certain tasks every day, I quickly realized that this wasn’t going to cut it.
I failed time and time again to stick to my self imposed schedule. Initially I blamed myself and fell into a deadly spiral of contemplation and procrastination.
What this means for you is that you have to run with what works for you personally. It is no good that everybody raves about [product] when you don’t feel comfortable using it.
Since my trial and error days I have found a way to stay on top of my day, regardless of what happens.
Say no to annoying Distractions
How often do you check your emails every day? Then at the end of day you wonder where the time has gone. A quick chat on Skype can quickly turn into a 30 minute conversation and while it is great to stay in touch with your online buddies, it is also very counter productive.
Focus on your tasks at hand
I know, it really isn’t easy to focus. What I found helped me is to concentrate on my list for the day and not open any other applications until my list is complete.
Do I always succeed at this?
No way, but I am getting better every week and as long as I see progress, I’m very happy. Plus, my work is done.
Take a break - you deserve it
I spend about 10 hours online every day. Some days it is longer and at other times I’m even taking a day off *gasp. The thing is, that it is easy to forget to smell the roses. We get so absorbed into our online activities/business that hours seemingly fly by and before we know it, another day has gone.
Every now and then reward yourself to step away from your computer. I do this by taking a couple of days off to recharge my batteries, watching a great movie at night or spend time with my pet birds during the day.
Having the freedom of being my own boss allows me to do this whenever I please and as long as my clients are happy and the work is done, I can kick back and relax.
Web 2.0 is great for many reasons, but please don’t let it run your life. Yoda was right you know. It is easy to get sucked into all the hype and before we know it,Web 2.0 runs our life instead of the other way round.
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Very true. Only in my case, the story was a little different. My most time-consuming habit was ’stumbling’. I used to spend about a couple of hours or even more than that on Stumble Upon. Thankfully, I’ve kicked that habit now.
How do we curb the time spent online? For many of us it is our business.
Interestingly, I have gone from 15 - 18 hours a day online to about 12. I’m no more productive and no less productive. Just need the time away from the screen.
Checking email is a big time waster. I need to figure out some way to un addict myself from email checking.
On a day when I can’t focus, I am better off just walking away. My time would be better spent relaxing instead of wandering about aimlessly online.
Tim’s last blog post..Things You Need To Know Before Bidding On Canon Digital Camera Auction Sales
@ Krishnan: yes, stumbling can be very time consuming. I guess the secret lies in the balance of everything we do really. It is hard to put a finger onto things and say, this isn’t good and that is.
@ Chris: good point. I’m glad for you that you have managed to do the same amount in less time and still get time away from the computer. Plus time away is good for the health anyway. That reminds me, isn’t the 4th screen free day?
@ Tim: I had the same problem, Nowadays i only allow myself to check my inbox after i finish a couple of tasks first. It helps.
Monika Mundell’s last blog post..Writing Queries - Freelance Writing Guide
Darkness INDEED! Finally, a genuine discussion on the internet and the Myth of Freedom?
I have a spouse, children parents and many other family members. All of whom require love and attention.
I have a community in which I live that requires regular participation on my part. The School System. City, County, State and Federal governments to be run. Representatives must be selected, meetings attended, and programs created and monitored. You remember: …government BY THE PEOPLE.
I have a Spiritual community that requires my regular involvement.
And dear friends that need to be touched.
“In touch”. What a damn lie! Ignorance means: to ignore. Stupid means: in a stupor. We all have our biases. We have to be on guard against a world that preys on the ignorant and stupid.
10 - 15 hours a day in front of a computer making money, twittering, blogging, and trying to keep “in touch” with what’s happening on the internet is flat out not an option for 95% of the people on this earth! Not to mention the fact that this type of obsession is known to be unhealthy.
Have you not noticed - things are not going real well for Mother Earth and a majority of her inhabitants. Do you actually think that spending your life on the internet is going to save us? Or you? Do you think that getting rich is going to protect and save you?
Data is not Knowledge. Knowledge is not Wisdom. Change will not occur because you’re sitting in front of a computer. Change requires us to get up and go out and DO something.
LIFE requires a lot more participation and responsibility than just making money or mental masterbation.
This is not intended as a put down. It’s a reminder from one of your other Big Brothers. We are much much more than a unit of production. Or a consumer. Or Pavlovs dogs.
And we don’t NEED the internet to know we’re all already “connected”! Always have been. So I agree Monika, with emphasis - we HAVE to stop and smell the roses. And “reach out and touch someone”. And, beware of “geeks” bearing gifts.
Keep Love in the loop,
- John
@ John: wow! This has got to be the best ever comment I’ve had on the various blogs I write. I feel your passion and your love so much I can nearly touch it.
You are so right by what you are saying and even I can learn from this comment too as I tend to take things too much either way. So thank you for saying what you did. It really helps us to smell the roses and open our eyes even more and I hope that many tired out, busted “Internet fanatics” will read this and take something from it to make the world a better place!
Thank you
Monika
Monika Mundell’s last blog post..Writing Queries - Freelance Writing Guide
Some great points here
I think everything should be taken in moderation and to John’s point - yes, many of us get so involved into the daily tasks “we have to” complete on the net that I think we forget the Ultimate “WHY” we had to do it in first place!
Alex
I’m only slightly addicted to Twitter, (and that’s bad enough).
I really don’t know how some people do it. They seem to be everywhere.
E-mails distract and divert me too much. I get too involved in the answering when necessary.
Blog surfing is another vice, though usually only a few hours a week.
guess I don’t have an addictive personality.
(Some might say ‘None’)
Pete.