Social Media and Tight Coupling

We tried to speak between lines of oration
You could only repeat what we told you
Your axe belongs to a dying nation
They don't know that we own you
--The Who

Many people frequently use social media. People like to say that they are 'wired'--connected to a seemingly endless network of news, relationships, and entertainment.

For some, social media may have a pathological component. Some people exhibit signs to addiction--spending much of their day on Facebook, on Twitter, in online chat rooms, etc. They have trouble putting their cell phones down and turning their laptops off.

Moreover, social networking media advances conditions of tight coupling. Those plugged into social media are more likely to respond to stimuli such as questions, debates, etc. that frequently appear before them. Overreaction and attention paid to trivial issues increases. Meanwhile production elsewhere declines, which could reduce long term capacity for survival.

Recently, I have been reducing participation in social media. My personal effectiveness has consequently improved.

Although it may seem counterintuitive at first, cutting back on social media connections could be an effective adaptation strategy in an ever changing world.