When Lent Comes Early on Facebook

LIKE MANY IN THE RICK O'SHEA posse, I have given up Facebook for a week. I heard Rick utter his challenge on Irish national radio last week and was a non-believer because no DJ is more rabid a social networker than Rick. But when he started reading out text and email comments from listeners today, I realised he was serious. So even though it interferes with several continuous assessments I have proscribed prescribed for my third level creative multimedia students, I have given up Facebook for a week. It feels like Lent has come early for me.

For those who follow me because they're students, go ahead and poke Rick, or send him mail that explains what he's missing on Facebook this week. You can reach him here: rick AT rte.ie or through texting him in Ireland on 51552 or ringing 1850 715 922. Then document your activities as part of the essay assignment due at the end of the academic term.

xI'll use the rest of this blog post to point out what I'm missing when refusing to update Facebook.

1. Loss of easy linkages. I will not quickly get links to content I use to complement the marketing dimension of the Public Relations module. Specifically, I have to rearrange my visits to Leesa Barnes because I cannot hoover the information I need through a Facebook group. I have to get the content manually on her blog this week.

2. Increased rudeness. I won't be able to acknowledge students as they add me as a friend as part of an academic assignment. They may think I am rude and document their conclusions in their formal essays later in the academic year.

3. Leaving the conversation. I can neither hear nor respond to babblings on Facebook and some are time-sensitive.

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Damien Mulley on Rick O'Shea -- "Him not using Facebook is a slight against all of us on Facebook!"
Rick O'Shea -- "Swinearama"

Bonus Link: Bernie Goldbach on Facebook.

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