Those delicious milkshakes (E) we spoke about in the previous post can do a lot of damage if over indulged, which is why we set rules around their use. One contingency I spoke of is to pair it with other letters, to both reduce frequency of behavior and increase the value. S being a great letter to start with due to the shared enjoyment aspect we are now adding to the equation.
The social aspect of electronics usage is arguably one of the best and healthiest usages of the tool. Having said that, where do we draw the lines to make sure what we are doing is MEANINGFULLY “social”?
Is it social to argue on Twitter (X)? Technically, yes, we are engaging with other humans, (or likely Russian bots ?), but is the interaction meaningful?
We have to differentiate between healthy social and junk social the same way we do with our diet.
Examples of meaningful social interactions via electronic mediums would be to video chat with a loved one, to send photos to grandparents, a video of a child’s first steps, a phone call, text messages, and other such connections with those people we most value.
Business connections can also be a great use of communication tools, especially if they aren’t interfering with our in person needs. Meaning, I shouldn’t be ignoring my wife and kids for a “business” text that can wait until the morning.
Examples of wasteful or damaging social interactions would be arguing with an anonymous individual, seeking “likes” from people that don’t matter, and trying to “win the internet”.
This sort of interaction falls much more under the E umbrella than it does the S, so we need to make sure we are not conflating ideas and muddying the waters as to what exact behaviors we are engaging in.
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself “how is this enriching my life with those I love the most?” If the social interaction (S) isn’t moving towards that end, maybe it’s a good thing to cut back on…