+1
My husband is a social media pusher. And I am sick of it.
First he wanted me to sign up for Facebook. “You are the only one in the world not on Facebook. Literally.”
I signed up.
Next came LinkedIn. “You MUST do it. For your career.”
I signed up.
Then he insisted I sign up for Twitter. “Did you know that there are 100 million tweets sent each day? How can you have a blog and not be a part of that?”
I signed up.
And then a few months ago he insisted I sign up for Google +. “It’s the next big thing. You have to jump on it or you’ll be left behind.”
So I succumbed again because if there’s one thing my husband knows, it’s everything technology related, right?
Well guess what I’ve concluded? Google + is officially the most useless waste of Internet space out there. And in protest of such a ridiculous social media platform I’m going to make it a point to never +1 anything.
Now that I know my husband "likes" HP I can move forward with my life.
PS: I ran this post by my husband to see if he was okay with me offending Google and he gave me the so-called thumbs up. He also suggested I “Address the monopoly of Apple’s Evil Empire next.”
I think someone’s a bit jealous.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
I agree with you-its too much. Our entire lives are out there on the internet. I haven’t joined Google Plus yet, and with all this recent talk about it violating privacy, I am not sure I will.
It’s too late for me but please save your time and energy! Don’t bother with Google Plus!
Does Ali work for Google? I am with you, it just gets overwhelming. I Facebooked for about a year, it was fun catching up with old friends from high school, but once I did I was done with it.
I only like 1 social media. For me that’s blogging. I can’t handle anything else. My post tonight features a video and even that almost put me over the edge.
I’ve never even heard of Google+
No, he doesn’t work for Google but he can be touchy when it comes to technology…I like to cover my bases. 🙂
I skipped right over google+. And as far as the other sites – yes, I am there, but who has time for all of that!? I mean, updating every social media site with every minuscule thought or action. I am exhausted just reading it. I know I can never keep up – nor do I want to – and I am ok with that! *stepping down now*
I’m exhausted too. I realize I can’t keep up but it shouldn’t matter! Social media shouldn’t be so stressful.
Social networks are trouble, if your mischievous and always upto no good like me then being on any social network where interaction with others is necessary then you are going to land in it everytime especially when, like me, you are discovering the real world and tasting the fruits of the world.
I’m not on social sites other than accounts for my blog, I’m happy to keep it this way. My reasons are explained on my ‘about me’ page.
The concept of singing your life away as well as every minute of the day, telling the world where you are and what you are doing, wearing, eating does not really win me over. I like my privacy in real life and on line.
You have done good.
Well said. Social networks are so much trouble! I know many people who’ve posted things on their FB page that ended up haunting them later…
Ohhhh, I’m with you. When will it end? I still haven’t figured out what an additional social network does for me except take up more time. I’ve settled on twitter, the rest are an order of magnitude less important to me. 🙂
I can’t even keep up with Twitter. I think I sent out 2 tweets a week?
Definitely agree!
Blog and Facebook are the only social media I have…and that’s too much!
Katie : )
Those are my two primaries as well…and I can barely keep up too!
I don’t think it’s just Ali you like/are so good at some of this social media stuff. I don’t know what google + is, how lame am I?
You’re not lame. You’re smart to know what not to waste time on.
Feck…I’m too tired…or lazy to keep up with all that shit.
I’ll never be a Dooce. So meh.
Less stress and more cupcakes.
Google is the devil.
Dooce is totally overrated in my opinion. I don’t get her blog…
I would agree about google+. lame. I also signed up because I felt pressured into it, but I cannot be bothered to ever check it. Or organize my friends into circles. that seems like a waste of time. i guess it is good to have a back-up in case facebook one day implodes?
The organizing just throws me for a loop….and I usually love to organize so go figure!
I waited to see how much some of my friends hated Google+ before deciding not to sign up. I have a hard enough time keeping up between Facebook, twitter, and my blog—adding one more thing seemed overwhelming!
You were smart to wait! I think that few people actually ended up signing on…
Ha! I have an obligatory Google + account just because Google wouldn’t stop sending me notifications!
I can relate! I have the obligatory account too but it was my husband who wouldn’t stop with the reminders…
I signed up for Google + because “everyone was doing it,” and I quickly saw that there was no value add, so I got rid of it! With the way things are shaping up, I think even I could dream something (anything) up, label it “social media” and make millions. Something to think about…
You’ve inspired me to get rid of it too! Let’s see if I can find the energy/time.
I love this! I keep hearing about Google+ but wasn’t sure what it was. I won’t bother now! 😉
So glad I could save you from my pain Fran…
Ha, this post had me laughing out loud. Sounds like Ali should start a blog of his own! And I completely agree about Google+. I have one and have not used it once. I like my FB and Twitter–that’s it.
I see the point of FB. Twitter I’m sort of on the fence about…
Thanks for the info about Google +1 Ameena. I barely have time to update my blog (it’s not updated in ages, as you may already noticed) let along to have a Tweeter account. I have Facebook account to keep in touch with my family & friends that don’t have blog. But I have to admit that Pinterest is so addicting!
Have a great weekend.
I haven’t discovered Pinterest yet and I think it’s better that it stays that way!
I was talked into signing up for Google+ also!! Who has time to put friends in different “circles” blah blah blahhh. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks it’s a waste of space! Happy weekend, friend!
Agreed. The circles thing is just an extra – and annoying – step!
I feel like Google+ was a big deal for… 12 minutes?
I took a nap and it was gone by the time I woke up. Over it.
I read your comment aloud to Ali and laughed like crazy. Love it.
I thought you were pregnant.
(wink)
Oh my. Thank God that is NOT the case!!
Lol! I only have my blog and Facebook but recently a friend convinced me that Pinterest is the coolest thing ever. Signed up but I really don’t get the point. Why do my friends need to know that I think a picture of a fancy bathroom is cool?
I’m going to resist Pinterest! And you’ve just helped me do that.
I still haven’t caught on to Apple – I’m a PC girl. OMG, I signed up for Google + too, and it’s so dumb. I just don’t get it. It’s all about clicks and circle of friends. What I do love is Pinterest. It’s the best thing after twitter. 🙂
Okay so I’m a bit intrigued by Pinterest but I’m not going to check it out. I’m going to resist. 🙂
I love how people keep trying to say “Google+ is going to explode”. I’m gonna go ahead and disagree.
I disagree too! So overrated.
Bahaha. Now you know Ali likes HP and you can get on with your life having that vital piece of information.
Exactly!
There is too many social media platforms now. I just can’t keep up with them all, its too much work.
I still don’t really even know what Google+ actually is, and I fully plan to keep it that way.
It’s way too much work. Way. Too. Much.
my bf refuses social media in all forms. he will never join facebook!
He is a smart guy!!
Social media takes too much time that I don’t have. I can barely find time to blog and floss my teeth. Sigh. Ali (and surely many others) need a Social Media Addicts support group.
Ali needs a few months in a tech-rehab center. At least.
don’t tell, but I don’t facebook, tweet OR google whatever that is, so you are second to the last person on earth who doesn’t use social media.
Hell, I barely email now.
BUT
(and this is funny)
last night, as I was messing with my mac, my son noticed the logo on it and asked why my computer has an apple on it, and I tried to explain that the apple means its from a certain company….
and he said…
“so dat’s why awll of your stuff have da appwes on it?”
cuz Ali is right, they have an evil monopoly on cool crap.
and Apple IS evil because if you don’t have wi fi none of your apple stuff is worth a darn.
haha
The logo is on everything! So true. And Ali will love this comment. 🙂
Hilarious! I love your blog…so glad I stumbled upon it. I too was a social media hater…but then I realized that I would probably lose touch with (most) everyone I know if I did not embrace it. No one responds to texts or calls anymore. But type ‘bored’ in to your status box on Facebook and 10 people will give 20 things to do in a 5-km radius.
I don’t get it…what exactly do people want me to say when they write “bored” or “hungry?” I mean seriously? Is it my problem to entertain you on Facebook?
Bizarre.
PS: Thanks for reading. 🙂
Ameena, you are too funny 🙂
Thank you Ayala!!
Funny! I’m still on FB. My old My Space page is there but never touched. No linked in for me or Twitter. And Google Plus? I don’t know. We’ll see.
Luckily I never hopped on MySpace…that’s one of the few I managed to escape!
Tell me you’re not on Pinterest. At least give me that! Although, I doubt your husband would recommend it. It seems to be a largely female driven platform. Then again, I refuse to join it (or, I’m sorry, “request an invite” to join it) so I really have no clue what I’m talking about.
I’m pleased to say I’m not on Pinterest! And I don’t think Ali knows about it either…
ali should make a blog!…its the biggest thing RIGHT now LOL
He totally should. It could be about all things technology-related.
whattt ali hasn’t made you join pinterest yet?!?!? seriously though, if you join, i must warn you…..it is INSANELY addicting!
I’m going to resist Piya! I can’t waste more time on the Internet than I already do…
i personally don’t understand google plus at all….and yet i’m still on it!
You are a social media PRO Lynn…truly.
how true! im a faceboof addict myself but at times i do wonder why i need to know when somebody ‘is texting from my new mac’ 🙂
* facebook
Agreed. Certain status updates need not be status updates!
I so hear you. For me, Google+ is just a watered down version of Facebook. Of course I do it, for the good of the blog. I’m guessing Ali would be proud of me. 🙂
He would be so proud of you! And so disappointed in me.
So funny! We are Mac people, mainly because my husband is a web designer and loves the “sleek” design of all the Apple products. Personally, I don’t care that much about technology. If I can use it and it works, that’s all that I want/need.
I don’t care about technology either. Until my laptop has a problem or my Internet goes down. And then I go completely ballistic!
Facebook is all I can handle. I still have trouble with the new journal type layout.
I still don’t understand Twitter (retweet, #…???).
Yes, Twitter has it’s own language is it’s annoying to have to learn it! But luckily there aren’t too many Twitter terms…
yeah i’m a social media whore and even i can’t seem to get into google+ meh.
“Social media whore?” I love it.
Google + was a major flop. I’m not sure anything will ever be able to compete with Facebook in the near future. Plus, Google + refused to keep my info private, despite high security settings. Now there are tons of pictures and posts of me out there in cyberspace 😦
Very annoying.
I also delete any emails relating privacy settings. This is a very bad habit…I need to pay attention more I think.
I’m not for social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, etc. I have doubts to start an account on these sites just because of privacy issues. And then what do you do if someone wants to ‘friend’ you and you don’t want to? Haha..
I’m just fine with blogging 🙂
Blogging is more than enough for me too…so much time involved! And not a dime to be seen from it. 🙂
–Ameena,
I agree. I’m on all of that stuff…..but I still don’t get Google +
And now there’s Pinterest. What the Hell? I can’t keep up w/ all of it and blog at
the same time.
X
I hear Pinterest is addicting too…hence why I am not going to check it out!
Ryan tried to sucker me into google + too. But I resisted! Thank you for sharing with me…and giving me more fuel to fan my domestic squabble about google. And thank you for your kind words on my own blog. You make me smile! I hope you have a relaxing Sunday!
So we aren’t the only ones squabbling over Google? I feel for you!
I blog and facebook. Two different sets of people. And I got invited to join google + and also concluded it held no value for me. So that’s it – that’s where I’m drawing my line. No twitter, no whatever that thing is where people just collect up other things people have posted that they also like, no LinkedIn. I just can’t.
(I’ve gone private, but don’t know how to find your email address on here to send an invitation. If you email me, I will! – undergroundblog11@gmail.com)
LinkedIn is great for work related stuff, hence why I am on it. And luckily it doesn’t require too much upkeep. 🙂
I laughed so hard reading this! Thank you!!! xoxoxo
Thank YOU Barbara. 🙂
I’m with your on Google+. I gave it a try, but after a day or two I didn’t understand what I was getting out of it, so I stopped using it. There are too many social media outlets today. I’ve also gotten into Tumblr and Pinterest. If you aren’t on those…save yourself and never go on them.
I am not on Tumblr or Pinterest. It feels good to say that. 🙂
I’m not on Facebook!! I never will be either. Your husband is funny. I didn’t know what Google + was but I asked my husband and he said it’s like facebook, so I guess I won’t be doing that. All of this computer media is interesting because it can really take up more of our time that is precious to all of us. I can imagine you are so busy with your career and raising your familly, these other things are just too distracting I think, for me anyway. Keeping a blog and following a few blogs is great for right now. Take care,
Shauna
Facebook has been great for my blog – I have to say that Ali was right about that! And it’s great for catching up with old friends, etc. It’s a time commitment though, that’s for sure. I try to keep it at 10-15 minutes a day max.
Ha ha! So true. I refuse to even go on twitter to see anyone else`s tweets, let alone add to them myself. I am on Facebook and Google+ and I actually prefer Google+ because I only have my family on there and we do a webcam `hangout`every Saturday night–and nothing else. Facebook is so obnoxious, I wish I’d never heard of it!
Wow! Someone who likes Google + more than FB! I am so intrigued by a webcam hangout. What a great idea.
I’m on all of those as well, but actually I only use Facebook. There are enough other things I have to do, so one social network is already overwhelming … And then, there’s the blog, of course, but that’s a totally different thing. 😉
I blog and use FB and tweet here and there. But yes, the blog takes up the most time!
That Ali…he is a real visionary sometimes. Maybe you could convince him to Guest Post on Apple’s Evil Empire for us? I would LOVE to see what it is that really gets him going.
I’m on LinkedIn and I still don’t get it. It’s like….professional Facebook that no one actually checks? Regardless, what this really means is that you and I probably should be. Linked.
I think Ali would be up for the challenge – he hates Apple THAT much.
We need to be Linked for sure.
+1 to this post. lol @ apple’s monoply… and you succumbed to the social media pressure ? 😛
+1 to this post – I love it Eddie!
Haha I got the same push about joining Twitter from my friend “How can you have a blog and NOT tweet”! I won’t lie that I am a serial tweeter so that was a good move but as for LinkedIn and Google Plus, I don’t want to even go there…there aren’t enough hours in the day! Facebook, blogging, and Twitter suck enough productivity out of my day as it is!
There certainly aren’t enough hours in the day to live a life on and offline! I totally relate.
i was just thinking that about google+ since I got a new email that someone is in my circles today….i don’t even get on that thing anymore!
The only time I log on is when I see someone added me! So funny.
Me neither! Unless I get a notice that someone is in my circle. Which means what? I don’t know.
The only reason I keep my facebook account alive is for bejeweled and words with friends…but I’m pretty done with it. I don’t really care that people i went to high school with still act like they are in high school and other deuche holes just piss me off.
I hear Friends with Words is great…and yes, who wants to relive high school? No thank you.
Ha, I have never even heard of Google+ … weird!
Consider yourself lucky!!
How funny! I do a bit on Google+, but Twitter is the one I am really bad with. I manage to only Retweet pretty much 🙂 It all takes so much energy, maybe Ali can do your updates for you 😉
It takes SO much energy!! I agree.
oh my- you have made me laugh sooo hard!! I actually have google+ so I should +1 this post 🙂 ha ha!!
Have you heard of instagram?? That is the next thing you need to sign up for 🙂 I tell you- you really made me laugh, I sure needed that this morning!!!
I have not used Instagram and I plan to stay away from it! I’m sure it’s too addicting. 🙂
I thought about Google+, but thought Facebook was already a lot to keep up with. And now there’s Pinterest? Oh dear.
Oh dear is right!!
Oh my goodness, I left Google+ 3 weeks after joining it. I just couldn’t deal with it.
PS – Sorry I’ve been such a late commenter. Our upcoming trip to India is sucking the life out of me.
Please don’t apologize! Real life is far more important than my nonsensical posts. 🙂