This is a quick guide to how I employ social media: which services I make announcements and engage on; and what you might get out of following each one that isn’t replicated on the others. Because every medium will deliver some content from me you won’t find on the others. So here’s how to decide which to keep an eye on…
Blog: Here I post substantive, researched articles on subjects in philosophy and history and sometimes political and social issues; as well as replies to critiques of my work. Sometimes I post queries; and I announce all publications and all upcoming in-person appearances and tours; but not video or podcast appearances—to catch those, you need to follow my Facebook or Twitter feeds. But for everything else, you can subscribe to my blog’s email list (look down the right margin here).
Twitter: I only use Twitter as an announcement feed. As such, all my blog posts are announced on Twitter and so are all other events—all appearances, including on vlogs or podcasts, often within a few days or hours of showtime, or soon after a pre-recorded show is published. I do not engage with Twitter in any other way however. I never look at PMs there or replies or mentions, or anything whatever; nor ever reply to any.
Facebook: Everything I post to Twitter I also post to my Facebook wall. Additionally, I often post many other things to Facebook (often on political or social or personal issues) that are too brief or casual to warrant an article on my blog, including funny observations, life notes, and occasionally important shares, with my commentary, such as articles or others’ Facebook posts. So if you want to see all of that, choose the option to follow my Facebook wall. In the top right margin here is a link to my Facebook account where you can find that option. Note that only Facebook Friends have commenting privileges on my wall; but because I am running out of space, I can rarely accept friend requests, except from people who have personally hung out with me before, or who work in the freethought or content production industry; and paying Patrons, who can set up support on Patreon or PayPal. So if you want to friend me, and not just follow, message me on Facebook identifying which group you are in.
Patreon: See the orange button down the right margin here to find my Patreon page and become a supporting patron (even for as little as a dollar a month; if you don’t like Patreon, recurring donors to my PayPal account qualify). Paying patrons will get, via Patreon itself, announcements of every blog post their support helped fund each month. Sometimes other announcements. But to be sure to catch things like my public appearance announcements, following me on Twitter or Facebook (or at least subscribing to my blog email list) is the best approach. It’s also easier, IMO, to engage with me on Facebook, or by email. Mention you are a patron, and you’ll get a guaranteed response within days (I otherwise, unfortunately, get too much correspondence to respond to but a fraction of it). Or bring things up in comments here on any relevant blog article, which all paying Patreon patrons automatically gain the privilege of—bypassing even my moderation queue (just comment using the email address you employed on Patreon; I’ll have white-listed it within a few days of your joining my Patreon).
Google: I teach a course every month online using Google Groups; on various subjects in philosophy and ancient history. Follow that link to learn about what courses I offer and how to register. In addition to completing readings and assignments, registered students get to ask me all the questions on the given course subject they can think of, and receive detailed and informative replies for a whole month.
Instagram: I do maintain an Instagram. But I only post there when I have a really intriguing, or in some weird way important, photo to share. Which isn’t often. So there isn’t a lot. But it’s often stuff you won’t find in any of my other feeds. It also tends to be more personal things.
YouTube: I do not curate a YouTube channel. I mention this here only because I keep getting asked if I do. Alas, I have not the skills, time, or equipment to cope with that medium. But you can search my name there and find hundreds of videos others have made (and then posted on various channels), of varying quality. And no, I am never involved in any decisions relating to the quality of any video ever shot or produced of me. So don’t send me advice about that. It’s entirely out of my hands. Of course also mixed among these will be hundreds of videos critiquing me, usually badly. So you’ll have to sort through the search hits there according to your own patience and interests.
Tinder: Yes. I’m on Tinder. And often swiping wherever I am. I’ve had a lot of great adventures in result. But if you want to ask about going out with me, you can just contact me directly and straight up ask (ideally by Facebook messenger, or email). Be intelligent and adult about it of course, and ready to respect a no. How you communicate and interact with me from the get-go one is important. It’s a big part of how I decide if you’re someone I would be comfortable or enjoy hanging out with. Honesty goes a long way.
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See also my Comments Policy, the Guide to My Books, my Recommended Reading lists, my Online Course roster, and How to Help page for the various ways you can help support my work.
