A recent article at Fast Company asked, “What would Facebook's 500 million active users do if the world's largest social network were to be shut down? Better yet, what would you do?” If the site were to close and all of the data were to be destroyed, what would you try to save first? Surprisingly, most people surveyed said that they would back up their photos, and a close second said that they would back up their contacts. Still others, said that they would do nothing, because their data was backed up on other sites.
This made me start to think about social media and photo sharing as a sort of online autobiography that we each share with our friends and family and even help shape the biographies of others. I can look through my Facebook photos and see images of my life at various points and even see photos that my friends have taken and tagged me in. Following the progression of albums, I can easily see people who are important to me, how long I have know them and what sorts of things we do together. There has been a great deal of focus on keeping our social media friendly and professional for employers and business contacts, but not as much attention has been given to the idea of keeping a virtual autobiography. Wouldn't it be interesting to leave something behind for our children and grandchildren to enjoy and have some understanding of who we were and what we did?
Even though we may never become famous, there is still something beautiful about writing your story while it is happening, rather than waiting until later in life to record your memoirs. Time has a way of changing your perspective. I am going to start a new resolution to post a photo every day to chronicle my story and I hope that you will too. I wonder, if by doing this simple thing, will I start appreciating my life more and start spending more time smelling the proverbial flowers? I am not sure but it will be fun finding out.
Perhaps it is time for a new social network that will allow us to record our lives, even the not so pretty or professional parts, and allow our friends to add, change and comment on anything we post. Until then, there is Facebook. And as for me, if the site were shut down and the data destroyed, I would be ok because I have my data and contacts backed up elsewhere, but I would still be lost without the daily distraction and connection social media provides. What would you do?
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a freelance writer and regular contributor to several websites and other publications, a volunteer, a full time mom and an active job seeker.
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