Really??????? The person who originated the post was only after one thing, obviously. And using tactics like the inference that I am not a friend if I don't repost the thing is simply bullying and blackmail. And it makes me mad!
And while I'm at it, what is it with all the reposts of things that it only takes two ounces of brains to realize is either a hoax, or mostly untrue, or outdated ages ago? FB has become a trash depository of outdated urgency messages that float around and float around and never die because nobody thinks twice before sharing them. Come on, people! Think before you click. You're already on the Internet. It only takes two seconds to do a search and make sure the missing child is still missing (or was ever missing in the first place), or the urgent call to arms wasn't resolved ten years ago, or the great ugly message about any politician who is currently still in office is based on fact rather than fiction (most of them are fiction).
News reporting has, in the past, had strict standards of making sure the article was based on facts and showed more than one side of the situation. FB is not a news source. Never has been, never will be. But today too many of us treat it as though it were one. It is a social site, pure and simple. Don't spread things that are gossip as though it is news. Most of you would never do so in real life.There, I've ranted and I've raved, and I haven't stopped one thing. Hmmmph!
We are not a bunch of stupid lemmings but sometimes on FB it appears that is exactly what we are. It's time to claim back our brains and start thinking for ourselves again. Going with the masses has only got this nation into a whole world of hurt. It's just not good policy in any society, FB or otherwise.
I'm not after comments that rant on about this same rant. But if you have some constructive ideas, please leave them here. Let's start a movement today to reclaim our place as a thinking society.
6 comments:
Easiest solution... stop using it. :) I did ages ago and contrary to rumor I did not drop dead. I just moved to Pickwick TN... some would say that is the same thing except in Pickwick people do FB.
I think it's good to remember what the great parts of social media were in the first place that made them so awesome - it's the connections. I'm fine with anyone who posts something about themselves, even if it's their opinion on a political stance, it comes from them. What has happened is that no one is confident in their own ideas, so they regurgitate others. Being a creator and an original poster is your way of fighting regurgitation, so keep it up! ^_^
Dan, I have been so tempted and then, like Heather says, it does have its place and it has its good stuff, and so I keep using it. But I do get frustrated with the amount of garbage I have to plow through to get to the good. I love the little sayings people put on - it gives me a little insight into their own feelings at the time, but I would definitely love more to actually hear from their heart. And thanks to both of you for your comments and ideas.
That is why I have thus far steered clear of FB. Yes, I am the last one to know when someone is pregnant or getting divorced or likes donuts but whenever anyone has shown me a FB page it just looked like a dumping ground for negativity. I also don't like that people think they can be rude online and as long as they tag the words "I'm just sayin'" after their rudeness, all is well. We are still real people, even in a virtual world and people need to learn some virtual manners. I am not saying I will never, ever get on FB but so far it has not had enough power to pull me in. As the blogging world dies down I do miss those connections but I have just never seen enough that is real on FB to persuade me to jump in. Most of my FB using friends admit to spending way too much time on it and many even admit that they spend 8+ hours a day on there and are not cultivating real relationships in person, even with the people who live in their own homes. As with most modern advancements, I guess FB is a double edged sword. We can use it to build and to strengthen or we can use it to tear down. If the good that exists there is good enough to hang on to then I guess I would give the same advice we are given in the church, be in the FB but not of the FB. Hee,hee!
Julie, as usual your words are profound. So true! Be in FB but not of it. There is a good side to FB. I have had contact with people I never normally would even talk to in years. Now that's ok with just passing acquaintances, but I'm talking about first cousins whom I really do care about but life gets so busy and there are so many. Most of my "friends" on Facebook are amazing women with very positive attitudes. That helps. And it seems to spread, too. I guess we can make a difference anywhere we go by our attitude. I am finding myself using it less and less, however. It is easy to misuse it, like all things that can be good there is a bad side, too.
I like to take a break from FB also, like Julie if it is really important I'll probably hear about it. I wish it were only what Heather likes it for but it is so much advertising these days. Not as fun skimming through that stuff as cute pictures. I try to avoid it on the weekends and some days all together.
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