Continuing my series of posts on professors and social media, I thought I would write a few words about Facebook. I have less to say about Facebook than Twitter, in part because I don't have data and in part because I think that most professors use Facebook like any other such user, to connect with family and friends, share photos, etc.
There are, of course, a few professors who use Facebook to only share their own work or other information specifically related to their areas of interest. I tend to tune those users out, for the same reason I tune out much of my Twitter feed. I just don't have time to absorb all of it.
So, what is there to say about Facebook and Academia, then? I think there are a few relevant points, which I categorize into "everyone" and "career sensitive" (e.g. junior) professors.
Everyone
1. I find that academic life can be very insular. Facebook can fight this tendency to the extent that Facebook friends are not part of the academy. For example, my high school classmates are a diverse group and the stuff they talk about and articles they share give me a sense of what's happening outside of my own social group and outside media portrayal of particular events and debates. Indeed, the list of "trending" shared news stories that Facebook provides is interesting, if only because I almost never see those news stories being shared by my Facebook friends. This serves as a good reminder that what's important to me is not important to everyone.
2. I've found that stories shared by friends on Facebook are more diverse than stories shared on Twitter, even by those same folks. I'm not sure if this is really true, and if so, why. I know it is for how I use the two platforms. My guess is that people see their Facebook viewers as a more diverse group, which is a bit ironic considering that Twitter is public. But it may be the limited audience that makes a difference - by not sharing with the world, you can be free to share information outside of your normal professional zone.
Career Sensitive Users
But it may be that not everyone should share outside their professional zone. Career sensitive users might want to consider whether Facebook use harms them in any way, and if there is a way to manage it. Note that I offer these thoughts as an observer and not a practitioner. I don't separate sharing lists, so my professional colleagues get pictures of my kids and groans about football losses. Similarly, family and non-academic friends are treated to my wonky ramblings about policy issues. It turns out that there's some overlap in each group, so YMMV.
So, what are some career sensitive concerns? I discuss a few below; some are more cynical than others, but while I'm plumbing the depths of social media by law professors, even the cynical views deserve an airing.
1. Your true personality may shine through. Now, ordinarily this is a good thing, but we all have flaws. I've heard more than one person (in academia and otherwise) say that an interesting thing about Facebook is you often find things out about people that you really wish you hadn't known. And, so, this can affect how people think about you.
2. Your true political leanings may shine through. Similarly, the things one says and posts on Facebook will help others form a more complete picture of where you stand politically. Indeed, this is one reason why I hate election cycles on Facebook. But if you are career sensitive, then (I am sad to say) your political leanings might make a difference to others who read your posts.
3. Your work habits may be misinterpreted. To the extent that professors use Facebook often, but only post about non-professor things, there is a chance that others might wonder whether you are actually doing any work. This, of course, is a cruel judgment. After all, shameless marketing is frowned upon, but it is so prevalent that when you are not doing it, it stands out.
4. You might just rub some people the wrong way. It happens, and there's nothing you can do about it, but it's a risk to consider. I'll give a couple of my own examples. First, on more than one occasion I've offended senior colleagues/mentors with snarky comments about the academy. These were comments I'd never make seriously or "publicly," but that I stupidly felt appropriate as a Facebook comment. Second, I had a colleague - one I communicate with regularly in other ways - unfriend me after one too many poopy diaper stories. I haven't told a poopy diaper story in years, but I tell plenty of other stories about things my kids say and do and to this day we still aren't Facebook friends.
Those are just a few thoughts; most of them are probably obvious, but I thought it might be helpful to put them in one place.
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