I'm thinking of quitting Facebook.
I know. It's like I just said, "I'm quitting life y'all." It's THAT significant.
I think Facebook is wonderful for so many reasons. I've reconnected with several old friends that I would've otherwise had no way of finding or communicating with. Some of those reconnections have brought about meaningful and heartfelt friendships. Others...not so much.
I am able to share photos with my family and friends. This is important to me as I document my entire life through photos. I didn't say GOOD photos, but still. I like having the connection that people can see how grown up Jayna is getting and how our lives change from month to month.
I know when people's birthdays are. I can say hello. I can friend/defriend/refriend/hide/etc. I am in control over my "world." Full control.
But.....I think Facebook is evil.
It is entirely too easy to get caught up in the ridiculousness that is social networking.
I see what EVERYONE is doing. Saying. Arguing about. Taking too seriously. Not taking seriously enough. And I don't just see this from people I'm close to in real life...I see this from people that I haven't even spoken to in 10 or more years. And, no offense to anyone of you, I shouldn't really care about that stuff. I shouldn't be so distracted by nonsensical comments and updates from people who don't even really know me that I miss out on the life that is right in front of my REAL face.
I've watched my family argue. I've seen them put ALL of their business on Facebook. I've watched them friend each other only to defriend the next week. I've watched my friends get snarky with each other over TYPED messages that have NO voice inflection or facial expression to go with the message. I've seen people assume things from other things and get pissed.
And all that makes me wonder...is being a part of all this REALLY worth the headache?
I do enjoy Facebook the majority of the time. I really do. And while it allows me to communicate with so many people that I probably wouldn't otherwise, it closes me off to so many other things.
Instead of picking up a phone or going out for dinner, I send a simple Facebook message.
Facebook allows me to be anti-social. It allows me to participate in the cyber soap opera that is real life.
And it's evil.
I won't quit Facebook. I know I won't. But I will keep in mind that it has caused me as many headaches as it has smiles. And that's going to stop.
1 comment:
Nooooo! You can't quit facebook! I have only de-friended one person ever, and that was out of rage. Generally, when people post stuff that makes me mad over and over, I just hide them. Seriously, HIDING IS YOUR FRIEND! Then you don't have to make a bold de-friending statement, but you can quietly say "you know, I don't care to read your crap anymore" and they'll never know. (However, if you hide me, I'll totally know!)
Post a Comment