Facebook seems to be here to stay. When I first joined I figured it would be similar to most fads, then like the sun, fade away, only to come back a little brighter, a little stronger, but a little different. This fad isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It allows us to share our experiences, families and thoughts with others. In many ways, it's like this blog, only shorter and usually a little more reserved. Or is it?
It's occurred to me that anyone who stayed awake in freshman psychology can really make a pretty good judgement on someones character, if they know how to read what's really being written. Sometime there's a little dissection, but not always. Reading people's updates everyday has given me some real insight into some people's lives and sometimes their thoughts or feelings. Not sure who reads this anymore, so I'm sure there is a smirk here or there, but I'll explain.
Obviously, I'm not going to out any friends, because they are just that, friends. So there will be no names. I'd worry I'm not clever enough to disguise the target of my comments or someone might see a faux name and believe I'm speaking of them. For the most part I'm making mass generalizations based on the numerous updates I have, and have had to read. I'm guilty myself of sharing a little too much at times. Especially when relationship problems occur. Anyone who catches my updates also knows of my sleep woes, my anger with Scarsdale village occupants and other random topics.
I've picked up on a lot of married couples who mention their girls/guy's night out, their kids birthdays, their dog or cat, but rarely mention their spouses. Now say what you will, this is a sign. I've seen couples I'm friends with go months with no mention of their significant other. Hell, I even mentioned it's complicated a few times, just to stay true to whatever I was staying true to. I just think, if you're in a relationship, good or bad, there has to be some mention of that other person. Right? Or there's the other part. The people who only put the bad things their spouse does. What's that all about. Even the opposite makes me hesitant. Sure, you don't always want to air your dirty laundry on the web, but hey sometimes it's just what the doctor order. Maybe you get a call or a message from someone that brightens your day. Maybe they put things in perspective for you, because when it really boils down to it, we all want to be heard. Sometimes Facebook affords us that luxury, when the people around us don't.
I've also read things that have lead me to believe that some people live in a fantasy world. They state things about their lives that are quite impressive, but these posts seem to happen almost daily. Really, Mr. Bond, you never take any time off do you? C'mon people, for the most part our lives are a routine we've accepted because it affords us a few moments a year we cherish. Am I to believe you are really an everyday Super Dave?
I also somewhat resent the requests from people to donate to this or that charity every single day. Honestly, if I donate $10 to every charity you post, it's $3650 a year. Are you donating that much? I donate to those charities I feel are dear to my heart. I also don't think I have to copy and paste something to support the troops. I am all for our troops, who are battling wars they probably shouldn't. They are dying every day and my heart goes out to their families. Let's not forget they signed up for this. When someone becomes a fireman and dies in a fire, it is a tragedy. No doubt, but they are paid handsomely for signing up for this endeavor. Would I trade places with them, no. For those who think I'm insensitive, my brother is a cop in the Bronx, not in Westchester. He wrestles guns and knives out of people's hands on a regular basis and he doesn't complain. He knows, the longer he's there, the more things stay the same, the chances of him being hurt grow. He signed up for it. He isn't looking for sympathy because his job is scary. I worry about him all the time, but he chose this path. I don't feel it necessary to join every police fan club on Facebook in his honor. He wouldn't expect it, he'd actually be embarrassed by it.
I've put my share of negative comments, but I've also put positive comments on. I really get worried, especially when it's people I care about when I see negative comments day in and day out. Sometimes I worry, that this is more than just an attention seeking ploy, but just maybe, a cry for help. I know that when I went through a rough patch, a select few made sure I was OK. I hate this phrase, but I have tried to "pay it forward" when ever possible. There are also a lot of people I feel really show a lot of hostility to others. I don't feel Facebook is the place to attack others or throw others under the bus. It's a social network, not an area for group attacks on someone due to their beliefs or disbeliefs. Just my opinion.
Finally the quoter's. I do this on occasion, when I feel a certain way and someone else has said it better, but I can't help but think on most occasions it's because people don't have thoughts of their own. Sometimes people I'm pretty sure have Dr. Suess as their poetic background will quote Wadsworth, Frost or maybe even Shakespeare and while it may make a point, it makes me wonder more. I would love to ask sometimes "why, where, huh?" Hey every one's free to write what they want. I'm also free to point my finger and ask those questions.
I look forward to all my Facebook friends new updates, but I'm going to be on the lookout. I also expect anyone who reads this to question me. Jon....... is waiting!
It's occurred to me that anyone who stayed awake in freshman psychology can really make a pretty good judgement on someones character, if they know how to read what's really being written. Sometime there's a little dissection, but not always. Reading people's updates everyday has given me some real insight into some people's lives and sometimes their thoughts or feelings. Not sure who reads this anymore, so I'm sure there is a smirk here or there, but I'll explain.
Obviously, I'm not going to out any friends, because they are just that, friends. So there will be no names. I'd worry I'm not clever enough to disguise the target of my comments or someone might see a faux name and believe I'm speaking of them. For the most part I'm making mass generalizations based on the numerous updates I have, and have had to read. I'm guilty myself of sharing a little too much at times. Especially when relationship problems occur. Anyone who catches my updates also knows of my sleep woes, my anger with Scarsdale village occupants and other random topics.
I've picked up on a lot of married couples who mention their girls/guy's night out, their kids birthdays, their dog or cat, but rarely mention their spouses. Now say what you will, this is a sign. I've seen couples I'm friends with go months with no mention of their significant other. Hell, I even mentioned it's complicated a few times, just to stay true to whatever I was staying true to. I just think, if you're in a relationship, good or bad, there has to be some mention of that other person. Right? Or there's the other part. The people who only put the bad things their spouse does. What's that all about. Even the opposite makes me hesitant. Sure, you don't always want to air your dirty laundry on the web, but hey sometimes it's just what the doctor order. Maybe you get a call or a message from someone that brightens your day. Maybe they put things in perspective for you, because when it really boils down to it, we all want to be heard. Sometimes Facebook affords us that luxury, when the people around us don't.
I've also read things that have lead me to believe that some people live in a fantasy world. They state things about their lives that are quite impressive, but these posts seem to happen almost daily. Really, Mr. Bond, you never take any time off do you? C'mon people, for the most part our lives are a routine we've accepted because it affords us a few moments a year we cherish. Am I to believe you are really an everyday Super Dave?
I also somewhat resent the requests from people to donate to this or that charity every single day. Honestly, if I donate $10 to every charity you post, it's $3650 a year. Are you donating that much? I donate to those charities I feel are dear to my heart. I also don't think I have to copy and paste something to support the troops. I am all for our troops, who are battling wars they probably shouldn't. They are dying every day and my heart goes out to their families. Let's not forget they signed up for this. When someone becomes a fireman and dies in a fire, it is a tragedy. No doubt, but they are paid handsomely for signing up for this endeavor. Would I trade places with them, no. For those who think I'm insensitive, my brother is a cop in the Bronx, not in Westchester. He wrestles guns and knives out of people's hands on a regular basis and he doesn't complain. He knows, the longer he's there, the more things stay the same, the chances of him being hurt grow. He signed up for it. He isn't looking for sympathy because his job is scary. I worry about him all the time, but he chose this path. I don't feel it necessary to join every police fan club on Facebook in his honor. He wouldn't expect it, he'd actually be embarrassed by it.
I've put my share of negative comments, but I've also put positive comments on. I really get worried, especially when it's people I care about when I see negative comments day in and day out. Sometimes I worry, that this is more than just an attention seeking ploy, but just maybe, a cry for help. I know that when I went through a rough patch, a select few made sure I was OK. I hate this phrase, but I have tried to "pay it forward" when ever possible. There are also a lot of people I feel really show a lot of hostility to others. I don't feel Facebook is the place to attack others or throw others under the bus. It's a social network, not an area for group attacks on someone due to their beliefs or disbeliefs. Just my opinion.
Finally the quoter's. I do this on occasion, when I feel a certain way and someone else has said it better, but I can't help but think on most occasions it's because people don't have thoughts of their own. Sometimes people I'm pretty sure have Dr. Suess as their poetic background will quote Wadsworth, Frost or maybe even Shakespeare and while it may make a point, it makes me wonder more. I would love to ask sometimes "why, where, huh?" Hey every one's free to write what they want. I'm also free to point my finger and ask those questions.
I look forward to all my Facebook friends new updates, but I'm going to be on the lookout. I also expect anyone who reads this to question me. Jon....... is waiting!
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