GR on Facebook? Options

[Tapati]

I ran into some old photos and posts of an old acquaintance of Meta's on Facebook (because he was referenced in the photos they showed up on my home page status updates). The comments sounded like GR posts about the past. I wrote to the person with the photos and told her about GR. But I think perhaps that we should get with the newest social networking venues and have a Facebook group and maybe a Myspace page as well. What do you think? Anyone into it?

My goal for GR was always to find people who needed a place to discuss the old days as needed and be with like-minded people who get where they came from. It seemed obvious from the reactions to these old photos that there are people who need to do that. Some will do it and move on, others may stay for the community, but the need is still there. We have to find a way to reach the people who need us.

Thoughts?

[Dhyana]

I wish I knew enough about Facebook to comment. I know, theoretically, how these things work but still cannot relate. In general, if we can have a presence, a pointer of a kind, from there to here, that would be great.

[Tapati]

I wish I knew enough about Facebook to comment. I know, theoretically, how these things work but still cannot relate. In general, if we can have a presence, a pointer of a kind, from there to here, that would be great.

One of us would just start a group, preferably a name that would pop up in a search for groups (gaudiya repercussions is perhaps not the best name for that). From there we can have a pointer to GR. Perhaps we can also post articles of interest to the Facebook group or web pages that are relevant. Updates would appear under their update category on their home page.

[Tapati]

Done! Group is created, here's the url: Former Hare Krishna Members: Gaudiya Repercussions

Description:


Group for people who were formerly involved in ISKCON or another Gaudiya Vaishnava group but left to pursue their own path. Can include those who hold some of the beliefs but disagree with some elements, those who no longer believe in a deity, or those who gravitated to some other form of spiritual path. An adjunct to gaudiya-repercussions.com, our forum.

Dhyana, should we post your article there? (The spiritual abuse article...)

Anyone have other ideas for articles or web pages that might be of interest to post for prospective new members? It would be good to have material there and not look like an empty group.

[Tapati]

Since the article was in a public area of GR, I just posted the link to the topic instead of the article itself.

[Brainiac]

I wish I knew enough about Facebook to comment. I know, theoretically, how these things work but still cannot relate. In general, if we can have a presence, a pointer of a kind, from there to here, that would be great.

I was actually thinking of asking you and Ek, and a few others, to join Facebook. Communications are often much more quicker and personal, and also a lot more fun there! Why not give it a try?

(You can always delete your account later if you don't like it.)

[metamorphosis]

I signed up!

[zanardi]

I signed up!

Me too!

[0Seeking Truth0]

Anyone have other ideas for articles or web pages that might be of interest to post for prospective new members?

I think Ek's 2 essays should be posted there.

[0Seeking Truth0]

I signed up!

Me too!

Me three.

[Tapati]

Anyone have other ideas for articles or web pages that might be of interest to post for prospective new members?

I think Ek's 2 essays should be posted there.

If you know the url(s) please post them here and I'll do so, providing they are in public areas of GR.

[Brainiac]

Great stuff! I started a Who's Who on the group wall and introduced myself as 'Brainiac'. It'll be nice if everyone else does it because I don't know who everyone else is. Tapati certainly has lots of friends from GR on her list! I have only a couple...

[Milla]

wish I knew enough about Facebook to comment. I know, theoretically, how these things work but still cannot relate. In general, if we can have a presence, a pointer of a kind, from there to here, that would be great.

Dhyana, you have your blog so you don't really need Facebook. But Facebook is more interactive and great for getting in touch with people. I have found classmates there which I haven't seen for almost 20 years. BTW, i fyou are still curious about the present prasadam-room in Korsnas, you can see it here:

[Dhyana]

wish I knew enough about Facebook to comment. I know, theoretically, how these things work but still cannot relate. In general, if we can have a presence, a pointer of a kind, from there to here, that would be great.

Dhyana, you have your blog so you don't really need Facebook. But Facebook is more interactive and great for getting in touch with people. I have found classmates there which I haven't seen for almost 20 years. BTW, i fyou are still curious about the present prasadam-room in Korsnas, you can see it here:

Milla, the pic where you sit at the computer in a corner, this cannot be the COM terminal in the prasadam room, or can it -- ?
What fond memories I have of that corner. One felt equal to all others and so... connected -- with the ISKCON at large, but also with the Korsnäs community -- when sitting there. A stark contrast to how one normally felt as a matajee.

As for Facebook, I may be paranoid, but after reading about a year ago how the company behind Facebook claimed ownership of all content posted there, how it was all saved and could be used for tracking what people do - I decided to avoid such forums.

I have a more general reservation about privacy in cyberspace. I want to be anonymous. To have control over what my employers, authorities, whoever, now or in the future -- can find out about me by googling my legal name. The less tracks I leave, the freer I feel.

For the same reason I use only cash to tank my mobile, and almost never make purchases with my bank card.

[Brainiac]

As for Facebook, I may be paranoid, but after reading about a year ago how the company behind Facebook claimed ownership of all content posted there, how it was all saved and could be used for tracking what people do - I decided to avoid such forums.

Yes, the 'Beacon' tracking system. After much protest the Beacon was removed, and one can even adjust one's settings so that activities and such cannot be tracked.

I have a more general reservation about privacy in cyberspace. I want to be anonymous. To have control over what my employers, authorities, whoever, now or in the future -- can find out about me by googling my legal name. The less tracks I leave, the freer I feel.

I understand and I try to do the same myself. There is a facility that doesn't allow one's profile to show up on Google, and people cannot find you even within Facebook if you wish, so no one could ever find you without your approval. And then of course, one doesn't have to put up any personal info, hobbies, interests, etc., and just use it for what it is, talking to friends and receiving messages from them etc.

But it is up to you. Like Milla, I was completely amazed to find classmates from preschool who I hadn't seen for years, and get in touch with them and re-acquainting, what to speak of meeting more people. No one will ever know how terribly I miss former GR member Oneiros, and how much I wish he was still posting here, but I found him there so I was very pleased about that.

[Tapati]

It is true that you can make your profile not show up. Even if someone were to search on Facebook for your name, all they would see is the name, with no link to your profile. That's how I have mine set.

[Tapati]

As for prospective employers...my strategy is simply to post so much under my real name that they will be overwhelmed by the sheer weight of it and give up any hope of reading through it!

[Milla]

There is a facility that doesn't allow one's profile to show up on Google, and people cannot find you even within Facebook if you wish, so no one could ever find you without your approval.

Can you tell me how you can make your profile not show up in Google? I have adjusted my settings so that if you search for me you only see my name and picture, no friends list, no profile info. But it would be nice not to be googled too. I use Facebook strictly for keeping in touch with relatives and old and present friends, that is people from whom I have little to hide.

[zanardi]

I have a more general reservation about privacy in cyberspace. I want to be anonymous. To have control over what my employers, authorities, whoever, now or in the future -- can find out about me by googling my legal name. The less tracks I leave, the freer I feel.

For the same reason I use only cash to tank my mobile, and almost never make purchases with my bank card.

I have my pants down little here and there anyhow, so I have no reservations. Nobody knows me nor cares about me, so there is no need for being anonymous. I have no employers, nor employees and especially I do not care about any authorities. But....they might be out there to get me.

Mr. Brainiac, I cannot get in touch with you via Facebook. So you take action, buddy. Pekka Virkamäki is my name, simulator-racing is my game.

[Milla]

I just figured out how not to be googleable. And also saw that Satsvarupa das Goswami has joined us on Facebook.