Thing 12

Social media terrified me. It still does to a large extent. Hence I steeled myself and forced myself to sign up to cpd23things. I knew I had an obligation to familiarize myself with these technologies. I was also extremely grateful that a colleague decided, along with our Manager, to take me under her wing for me to progress with cpd23things.
My progress has been extremely slow. I won't get the certificate but that's ok. I have set myself a target now to finish by the end of Jan. If I do that, having dabbled with each of the 23 things, that will be more of a personal achievement than the certificate.
So what terrifies me about social media?. Firstly, it's  the technical side of it. As I have blogged previously,  the words "dinosaur" and "least techie savvy"  describe my IT abilities. I get there eventually but find learning new IT skills quite stressful. I feel I have little rapport with IT. What is apparent and intuitive to others will be lost on me.
Additionally, I am uncomfortable with operating in a very, very public domain. I prefer to know with whom I am communicating and being in control at all times.
I also have a real problem with the use of the word "friend". My friends are very special and important to me. I see them and I enjoy being with them. I feel most uncomfortable at using the term to describe an internet contact. Perhaps having the highest possible number of "friends" provides a sense of wellbeing? My sense of wellbeing comes from meeting my friends, or communicating by phone or text (or even letter!!). Ironically, I suspect that the cpd23things participants  with whom I met for the social element of the course some months ago, were already friends and work colleagues anyway.
I am aware that my views and outlook would be in the minority. I am also aware that social media is an intrinsic part of the infomation world. However, I am starting to learn that I don't have to reveal my innermost thoughts on a blog for example (as I originally thought), but  can make use for professional purposes that even I can be comfortable with.