This is in no way an attempt to debase behavior patterns or imply anything is wrong or right. The social sphere is all very organic and well uncontrollable. Like a wild fire. I am sincerely intrigued, that's all. Maybe Valentine's day and the abundant sharing got me pondering.
Someone posted on Facebook, "Looks like everyone has the best boyfriend on Valentines day". I thought it was cheeky and clever and would be interested to know his marital status and profession. Maybe a comedy writer because it would make good stand up. Others may find the comments offensive or even bitter. Thus is life and we don't have to agree; it's small stuff anyway.
Have you ever felt unsettled about learning deeply private and personal news via social media about a person you don't communicate with in the "real world". Like you're a creepy fly on the wall but you've done nothing wrong in fact. Is this just the social norm for our generation and we better start posting to keep up? Or maybe we should only follow/friend people we would realistically communicate with outside of social media? This isn't it either. I like following Martha Stewart. I could be thinking too deeply about it but I am actually curious and might conduct a case study. If you have some insight, post it on Twitter @pensivefoodie.
Are you supposed to like something on Facebook that is deeply or even partly sad? Twitter is effective in sharing and "affirming" content without the connotation that is it "likable", which may not be the case. For instance the death of a loved one or an egregious wrong.
This video had me crying in the Best Buy parking lot, while my boyfriend ran in to buy a keyboard. He returned to the car to me a blubbering mess, keyboard in hand and confused. He took my phone away. This is not the first time.
This concept applies to trivial rants too: Something like this girl hates her mother-in-law, husband is a dud, and her little one peed the bed, again. How about a Like with insert condition button. Or better, a Hug button. Here is a use case for your reference.
- Read Sad Content
- Experience cognitive dissonance: Is it disrespectful if I like this? Will the source get the wrong idea about my intention?
- Reflect: This person needs a Hug or Support.
- Click Hug Button and/or Like with a lump in my throat and a very heavy heart.
Facebook, get on it or Twitter will continue to outpace you.
Just an observation. I have yet to read a post from a Wounded Warrior or a child with a terminal illness like this, "I am having a really hard time making it day to day." Or from a young woman with an intellectual disability, "Hey, the world is sometimes less than accommodating and marginalizes me." Are these posts out there? I am sure they are. But they are not as frequent, as "I hate traffic". Is this a lesson? Yes, I think so. No one cares you hate traffic.
Thanks to my big, brave sister, and her insight from a position as an Oncology Counselor for this invaluable reminder.
On a lighter note. Have you experienced this moment? "Sh*t a Tyho. Argh *typo. Too late, already shared. What will the world think?", says the sneaky grammar gremlin in your ear.
Another observation. I am grateful for the variety of beliefs, lifestyles, and cultures social media connects. Like this, a post on Instagram a while back, by Erica Domesek, the craft goddess behind P.S-I Made This. I've even found it to share. It was great. The woman has, well, serious balls and business chops.
Nonetheless, she's neither better nor worse than a woman her age who has four children and posts a picture of her child's first day riding the school bus. Seriously, to each his own.
"Insert name surely can't always look that gorgeous and together, can she." Real Simple magazine launched a fun hash tag campaign #rsgetreal to disprove that very thought. People posted to Instagram their vulnerable and non-perfect moments. Dirty dishes. Piles of laundry. Fast food for their kids. It was very refreshing and these were my favorites. I would totally eat the meal in the third shot.
Do you ever feel defeated when no one likes content you thought was wildly genius, share-worthy, or beautiful? I do sometimes. Have you ever deleted it you felt so bad? Not yet.
Do you follow someone back as a courtesy even if you're not sure you would be interested to hear/see their personal details? The jury is still out.
How should you feel when you friend request someone and it remains pending for a super long time in internet terms? Meaning: a day or heaven forbid twowholedays. Think Zuckerberg in the last scene from Social Network. They portrayed him as a bit of a weasel in that movie anyway but he likely has enough money not to give a crap.
Do you ever feel you need someone to physically remove your phone from your possession and not give it back for a while so you stop checking emails and refreshing Instagram? Guilty.
Is it ever awfully tempting to delete all your accounts? As if a burden would be lifted and you'd stop comparing yourself to people you may or may not even know. It's all relative anyway.Apples are not oranges and never will be. Furthermore, if I truly believe what I have been raised to believe then all the excess is superfluous anyway.
Some quick thoughts to finish it off.
- How many pictures is too many pictures, in succession?
- Should professionals allow clients, students, colleagues to friend/ follow them?
- Do we share to spark an emotional response from others, to inspire, to gloat a tad, or just because everyone else is?
Personally, I probably share too much about my pets. I don't have children so this is likely to be the case. I'm also not totally sure how I will share kid-related content if and God-willing when I have children. I post a lot about what I'm eating. I love to eat. Sue me. And I post a lot about family; they are post-worthy and a source of love and hope.
End post, and tweet.