Monday, June 25, 2012

Facebook is taking us farther and farther away from humanity

I've noticed lately on Facebook a phenomenon that, in all honesty, has been going on for a long time. This isn't anything new. However, what I've noticed is it's getting worse.
What's up with people posting status updates that are obvious ploys for attention. Yes, all status updates are ploys for attention. I get that. I'm talking the ridiculous, you-could-have-texted-this-to-the-intended-person-and-should-have-texted-this-if-you-actually-meant-it scenarios.
Like someone writing on your wall, "I miss you." Why do all our mutual FB friends need to know this? It diminishes the feeling behind the action. Another example, a son writing on his mother's wall about how much he loves her and blah blah blah. Wouldn't it be more heartfelt if you sent her a card, maybe visited her and told her this in person? Hell, even a text message would be more personal and sincere than this garbage.

When something substantial occurs, is one of your first automatic responses an urge to tell someone? With Facebook you can tell all your "friends" in seconds because, as humans, we want to share with others, to communicate and belong. If something bad happens, we seek comfort. If something good happens, we seek praise and respect. This feedback gives whatever happened more substance. If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? You get a raise at work but don't tell anyone ... Does it make your raise nonexistent? With that in mind, if you share your news constantly, all the things that ever happen to you, does it make your updates less substantial?

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