You may be using Facebook and Twitter as a business tool.
You're posting your listings, announcing your sales, and sharing information for buyers and sellers. You're also staying in touch with past clients and your sphere of influence.
But what about the people who use these sites for recreation?
Why do people feel compelled to share the details of their day with “friends” on social media? Do they 
really think someone cares where they went for lunch or what they ate? Does anyone want to look at photos of the food?
Does someone care what TV show they watched, or whether they spent their afternoon listening to a child sing in a school program?
Years ago, I even saw someone Tweet about their need to use the rest room. That was the day I quit going there.
This subject has always puzzled me. I simply don’t understand the compulsion.
Today I learned that makes me some kind of strange creature.
While searching for quotes to add to the Thursday newsletter, which is about talking too much in real estate, I came across an article that explains Twitter, Facebook, and the other sites where people tell strangers all about their lives.
Lydia Dishman, writing on Fast Company, says “Science tells us that our favorite subject to discuss is ourselves. People spend 60% of their conversations talking about themselves, 80% when chatting on social media. The reason, researchers found, was that it just feels good. So much so that Harvard psychologists discovered that individuals were willing to give up money for the opportunity to disclose information about themselves.”
OK – so while everyone is eagerly sharing information, they’re also bemoaning the fact that there is no privacy. They’re upset with Facebook for using members’ personal information for financial gain.
I’m disgusted with Facebook for censoring conservatives, but as for sharing personal information – if you put it on line, I believe it’s fair game. You destroyed your own privacy to whatever extent you “shared.”
What do you think?
Image courtesy of Master isolated images at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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