To me this is a rather hardline stance when it comes to social media, and runs totally contrary to the way I live my life. Choosing to completely ignore social media in 2010 and beyond just seems foolhardy to me. We can look back 10-15 years and look at internet adoption. 15 years ago you would have been on the leading edge to have an internet capable PC. 10 years ago PCs started to be more commonplace and dial-up was beginning to be phased out by high-speed internet connections. 5 years ago you were definitely a dinosaur if you didn’t at least have an email address to correspond with people. I know a few people who pretty much chose to forgo internet usage. They check their email at irregular intervals and are just generally difficult to get a hold of. I rarely see these people anymore and the digital divide is definitely the culprit.

I find I’m hardline the other way when it comes to communication. I will do everything possible to avoid picking up the phone. Sure there are times that the phone is the easiest way to communicate, but I’d probably say 90% of the time it’s not. There are so many other, more efficient ways to get a hold of people. To get a hold of me I’d probably say in this order

1. Email – Pretty much where all my info travels. I get notifications from Facebook and Twitter though email.  Everything is labeled and organized. Spam is filtered.
2. Twitter – Great way to have quick back and forth as I check it frequently.  Great way to actually learn and get to know people and what is going on in their lives.
3. MSN, GTalk etc – While not always the coolest way anymore, if I’m at my computer you can probably quite easily get a hold of me this way
4. Facebook – While I typically reply to Facebook via email, it’s still a decent way to get a hold of me and let me know of upcoming events I might be interested in checking out.
5. Phone – Most obtrusive way to contact me.  While I don’t mind talking to certain people on the phone, I find I dislike it as a whole.  I find I only use the phone when I absolutely have to, like phoning the bank or Rogers which is always a pain.
6. Text Message – I hate text messages.  They cost money above and beyond what I pay for data and buying a plan for the few I might send makes no sense.  Grow up and get a Twitter account if you want to message me in 140 characters or less.

I find most of the things I do in life nowadays channels through social media. If I hear about a new restaurant, it’s probably because someone might have shared their experience through checking in on Foursquare.  Or if I check out a social event like Ignite Waterloo or Democamp Guelph it’s because I heard about it on Twitter.

The reality is my life path is definitely traveling a different direction that that of my sister-in-law.  I find that the people who choose not to engage in social media are definitely being left behind.  I think as time goes on people who ignore social media will find their phones ringing less and less and will be baffled that nobody talks to them anymore.  While it may be harsh, it really will be true.  People are going to have to adapt of they will be left behind by society.