Five Advantages of Social Media - Writing Challenge 11/1

Five Problems with Social Media
No, no, no. I'm writing about...

Five Advantages of Social Media!

Many in our age-bracket say things like, "what did we ever do before ____ ?" when we consider how our lives have changed between childhood and adulthood. Even for those who remember those days, it is hard to imagine life without cell phones and unlimited access to information. Saturday morning cartoons constituted the extent of our "screen time."

In less than the span of a generation, we have moved from minimal dependence on electronic culture to complete immersion. No wonder that Baby Boomer and GenXers have taken to social media as we have!

I believe the five advantages of social media can be correlated to the five senses. Through social media, we see the world near and far. Our friends post brilliant sunsets and artfully-displayed dinner plates, photos of grandkids and videos of pet tricks.

We share nostalgic tunes from days gone by or the latest by the popular artists of the day. Social media allows us to reminisce about the soundtracks of our lives and reminds us that the auditory art form continues to evolve.

Though Smell-O-Vision has not arrived at our social media doorstep, certain things evoke the memories that only a sense of smell can trigger. The scent of rain on hot pavement, the tang of BBQ sauce on ribs, the odor of wet dog. See, you knew exactly what I was trying to conjure just by reading the words!

The sense of taste is probably right behind smell when it comes to future technologies. But who hasn't watched those cooking videos with the sound off, reading the ingredients and imagining the feel of the spoon and the viscosity and texture. I know I've had my mouth water from time to time just watching the dishes unfurl.

When it comes to the sense of touch, social media cannot replicate that tangible aspect, but it can evoke pangs of remorse, twinges of compassion or revulsion at another human's heartache or the sheer joy of witnessing another's happiness.

While social media can never take the place of face-to-face contact, it has given us the ability to reach across miles, or draw close those who are near us. We can share as we never have before, allowing space and time to grieve together. We can send virtual hugs (which really do feel almost as good!), bolster each other with encouragement, and yes - even allow the ability to insult and admonish.

If all of that is wrong, then I don't wanna be right!