...of media. Just today I deleted my Google buzz thanks to Nathan Lee for the inspiration. Basically, I'm just gonna copy what he said in this and this post. If you've already read those, you may not want to read my post, but hey you're on my blog so you might as well while you are here. Since I titled this post, "Defeating the Beast" I figure I'll start by giving you a little analogy based on Revelations. In the book of Revelations John witnesses a beast rise out of the sea with seven heads and ten horns. I would like to make Social Media the beast for today. Here are 7 things that can waste your time:
1. Facebook
Okay here I'm being judgmental because I've never had a Facebook, but based on what I know, it can only be worse than what I have. Unless you have time to waste, to quote How to Train Your Dragon, "Kill on first sight"
2. Google Buzz
Mmm, yup. Buzz is a killer, it updates you on your friends, events, and keeps you in touch with the world around. Reality check! It also wastes 20% of the time spent on your computer as long as Gmail is open. I know this from experience. Kill on first sight.
3. Twitter
Another one that I haven't done, by I guarantee you could waste time updating the world about how much you love Justin Bieber, not that I have anything against him. Kill on first sight.
4. Email
This one is a little trickier, email is important, you need it so that people can contact you about important things. Email is something that shouldn't really be used for chatting though, save your inbox for messages that are important.
5. Chat/IM/Skype
Whatever you call it, if you abuse it, it can hurt you. However, it is extremely useful for leaving your inbox open to more vital messages. You need to be careful though because chat really takes the willingness to tell someone, "I gtg, homework calls." If you aren't willing to tell someone you need to go, it will drag on forever. Use discretion, but it too is very useful.
6. Youtube(other video sites)
This may sound a little funny, but Youtube is another social media weapon that could leave on the ground bleeding. I know I personally have spent many an hour watching Julian Smith's videos. Yes, I just watched one of his videos. Before that I was catching up on the Tsunami Crisis in Japan, and if it means anything to them they are in my prayers.
7. Stumbleupon
This one was tricky, cause I have little experience with either Stumble or Flickr(which were the two I was debating). Stumbleupon is really, really cool, but not for those with no time. I would regard it as a place where you can spend free time, in the same way you would play video games, or do puzzles or whatever it is you do for fun.

Okay, so I listed 7 beasts, so what are the 10 horns? I'm not sure, but I thought of it as 10 people that you like to hear from a lot. You fill in the blank.

Great, I listed tons of sites for you to waste your time on, now you can totally disregard the meaning of the post. As you begin to, hopefully, see the problems with overusing social media, I would like to tell you why I personally turned off Buzz.
1. It was feeding my desire for self-glorification.
What I mean by this, is that when I use social media it can turn out to be in attempt to glorify myself, not God who deserves the glory. It was becoming to self-centered.
2. They don't make me smarter or happier
If you read Nathan's post, you'll know this is pretty much straight out of it. I am constantly filling my brain with information, and I need to filter that feed, so that I can truly process the things that I find important with intentionality. It can leave brain feeling a little cluttered if you're using all those social media applications.
3. Time Consuming Much?
I really need to focus on school work, and if on anything else, why not my 3 blogs that have been neglected(badly).

I hope that you have either been spared from the time consumption of SM or you are ready to cut back.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Glory to God Alone