My Social Media Dilemma
Social media sucks. But I love it.
Should be carving, but I’m scrolling.
We all know the negatives: social media shreds our attention spans, spreads misinformation, and misuses our personal data. Plus, Mark Zuckerberg is probably rich enough. Yet, for many spoon carvers and woodworkers like me, it remains an essential digital space for connecting with fellow enthusiasts.
I feel trapped by its convenience. Since joining Instagram in September 2014, I've spent nearly a decade sharing my woodworking journey. Instagram is where I find the majority of spoon carvers showcase their work. Some Facebook Groups are relatively active, Reddit’s r/spooncarving community is small and TikTok remains uncharted territory for me.
Over the past decade, I've met numerous fantastic spoon carvers and green woodworkers. These connections aren’t just digital. I attend in-person events like the Driftless Folk School Spoon Gathering and Spoonfest in the UK. Pre-Covid, I hosted a regular ‘Chop and Chat’ in Madison, WI. However, these events are infrequent and often require significant travel. For daily interaction, Instagram is the easiest option.
The more I engage with social media, the more I encourage others to do the same. While I enjoy sharing my work and chatting with fellow makers, my participation perpetuates a flawed system. On the rare occasions I post, I find myself frequently checking the app for notifications, seeking that dopamine hit.
Social media’s fast-paced, high-stimulation environment contrasts sharply with the slow, focused nature of green woodworking. Carving demands prolonged attention and patience. Many carvers use the craft to disconnect from digital life, making social media's impact on our focus particularly troubling.
Despite the drawbacks, I love creating videos and posts for Instagram. I want to share my passion for spoon carving with as many people as possible, and social media offers a broader reach than this blog. However, there are alternatives. This blog and possibly resurrecting my email newsletter provide other avenues for connection, though they are more one-sided compared to social media’s interactive nature.
For now, I'll likely continue using social media to stay connected with the community. If you have suggestions on balancing this dilemma, I’d love to hear them in the comments.
