If you imagine living in California 10 years from now, what does your life look like? Has California boomed, been forced to cut back, reinvented itself, or faced natural disasters? What dreams or solutions will help create a better future for California? Last month, we asked the world these questions. IFTF’s California Dreams is a new competition with an urgent challenge to recruit dreams from the public. Why do we care? Because California is in crisis. Because pioneers with brilliant ideas live here. Because dreaming the future can change the future. Here are some of the dreams entered so far, in no particular order: 1. Lifelong University of California – meeting educational needs in a rich, mobile, adaptive experience. 2. Artists creating films that portray positive futures for humanity. 3. Water Tribes living in the Isles of California after a dramatic sea-level rise. 4. Schools being overthrown by a rise in the popularity of online homeschooling and self-education. 5. People…

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Aggie, that's where personal decision comes in. If you don't like facebook, you can feel free not to join ever! I know others like this, that never want to join facebook and they are entitled to that decision.
I chose to join facebook a couple of years ago. In looking at the new features on facebook, it simply means, more options. BUT you can also choose to keep the all of the old settings or pick and choose which setting you want. If someone can read, they can choose what to choose. My husband kept all of his old settings as that was his choice. I don't feel the new features (most of which I choose to keep private) is a push for me to be more public. I think it just shows you have an option-for example to publically have a title (status) show OR if you are like me, you can CHOOSE to keep it private. One's facebook profile can be as private as before. It's all what you want to make of it.
Those who are worried about privacy online, need to be careful with emails, etc. Pretty much you have to conclude that anything online may not be private ever (including this blog and comments). If someone doesn't want people finding them doing wrong things for example: don't do them!
I also hear parents are worried about posting pictures of their children online-in case the kids go to the store (alone) and someone knows their name. Personally, I think leaving a child or teen alone is dangerous whether they are online or not! As a homeschooling parent who is around her kids 24/7-I feel they are better protected. Also, I pray for their safety. Not that anything is not fool proof but I refuse to be completely paranoid. My kids and I do listen to computer safety videos and I teach them internet safety. But I also think that not putting them in dangerous situations in our local town is wise either.
Facebook has opened up some opportunities I would not have otherwise. I have met church people from around the world! I know church shuts ins now-I find this VERY exciting as sometimes it is the only way to keep in touch with these brethren (that live far away and have serious health issues). I know now better who I can pray for (by asking those of others areas what I can pray for in their areas). In the recent flooding in the Philippines during the Feast, I was able to hear firsthand accounts of those who were there and saw pictures of the Feast in the Phliippines. It was neat to put a face to the name! I personally have found facebook to be a HUGE blessing! It has really opened up my world!
Also, as a person suffering with health issues, when I cannot get to bed at night due to pain-I can get online-read cogwriter, tomorrows world, and see what my Austrailan church friends are up to (since they are up at those hours on facebook;) I can ask how Bruce Tyler is doing and how the Australian work is doing.
Anyway, I would NEVER try and talk anyone into joining facebook who did not want to. On the other hand, I find it annoying when others who have not joined are so judgmental when they know little about the site and the privacy settings (since they have not joined and gone to the account setting to see how possible privacy really is!) I'm not saying you fit that category (Aggie) but I have come across some who are very judgmental and somehow feel self righteous by NOT joining facebook.
One thing I keep in mind, is remember when Mr. Armstrong said “It's not the THING that is wrong but the WRONG USE of it?” Well, I think that would apply to many things including TV, radio, internet, and yes even facebook!
Facebook can be used in the wrong way-on the flip side-it can be used in the right way. One has to be responsible and use it in the RIGHT way, just as in how they use anything else!
The best thing facebook this year, it really helped me out with recently is contacting someone in the St Louis area. I met a wonderful family and stayed with them shortly before the Pre Teen camp this past summer. How did I find out about this family? You guessed it facebook! It has been a blessing to me! And I met this really wonderful family-the mom of the family and I became close friends almost immediately! What a blessing it is to join up with brethren-even though we live so far apart! My family-me, my husband, and our 2 daughters are the ONLY brethren in our local town. Our closest church brethren are 30 minutes away (1 family). The rest are over an hour away. I feel less isolated now-in being online. I'm counting it as one of our many blessings!

This is an essential question, Brittany, and very well crafted. (Bill Gates experimented with home schooling his child, but gave up when he realized the job required more than just personal brilliance and motivation.)

I love your choices but feel one is missing, for responders who think home schooling is far superior to formal schooling. More likely to concentrate on their work than students in a big classroom? Given a better foundation in values? Less vulnerable to social problems and bad influences?

4 POINTS to BRITTANY

RT GOP believes in home schooling. That is like relying on Fox News and bible school teachers for an education.

Supplementing online homeschooling with offline kid’s games makes a good combination learning atmosphere for homeschooled kids. When it comes to parties, various holidays and special events, like birthday parties for your kids, …

I would spend the extra money and go to a traditional school. Online degrees are not highly regarded, and many professions won't even consider them. Trust me the college experience is worth it & you will be better prepared for the working world.