Too chummy with your co-workers?
First, a general comment: as I mentioned in my introduction, I've been extensively involved with the internet for years now, but I've always been better at the observer role. I rarely comment on blogs I read; I rarely write on Facebook walls and my own blog - though this hasn't always been the case - is updated every month or so. (Twitter is the exception - something about the snappy entries and the single-person nature of it makes updating easier for me.) What I've always liked best about the web is that a passive role is OK, and generally accepted. I can respond if, and when, I feel like it. It's strange to have what I've considered a leisure activity bumping against school and work. While I generally like the internet's role in business and other formal communication, I'll be interested to see how I shift gears.
A thought about the texts: In Connect!, the authors mention that web communication allows "team members to get to know each other on a human level" (Zelenka 56). This is advantageous - especially for those members working cross-country or transcontinental - but I see downfalls. With Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., the internet rapidly exposes more detailed information than one might hear around the water-cooler. In five minutes, I could discover my colleague's birth date, marital status, weekend plans, kids' names and even religion and sexual preference. I'll have a pre-determined idea of them before we even begin a project. Instead of meeting a blank-slate co-worker, I've already painted them. Another disadvantage is that the line between co-worker and pal becomes a little blurry - while, often, co-workers become friends, there often needs to be a level of professionalism present to get the work done. I think the internet makes this professionalism more difficult. What do you think?
I've really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughtful entries. I look forward to next week - it's fun to see how everything's coming together.
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Zelenka, Ann Truitt. Connect!: Web Worker Daily’s Guide to a New Way of Working. Wiley, 2008. Pg. 141-171.
Comments
There is something about Facebook that is just too "chummy" for me, I agree. There is only one coworker that I really socialize with outside of the office and even then I would not want here to know every detail of my life. As for my other coworkers, I prefer they build their opinion of me on a professional level, only what they see through work. I am not embarrassed about anything I have on Facebook but I would prefer they not know that many details of my life. i like to keep my work and personal life separate for the most part. I spend enough time at the office I don't need the office seeing me at home!
Posted by: Stephanie V | February 3, 2008 8:50 PM
Jennifer, I totally agree with you regarding being a more "passive" user of blogs. I never replied to them but reading them was interesting. The "chumminess" of Facebook is a very good description. I have a personal one set up that I go to about once a week only to see if my kids posted anything new. I still cannot see how all of this will fit together but I am sure by the end of the course we will.
Posted by: Amber | February 4, 2008 7:38 PM
Good points. And you're right about preconceived notions. That's why it's so important to filter what you have up. For instance, since I have so many students with so many opinions, I don't post my political and religious views. And have had to sit on my hands so as not to Twitter Super Tuesday.
Posted by: Krista | February 6, 2008 3:37 PM