Today I was thinking about Facebook…. not because it just started selling stock and not because there is already a lawsuit by shareholders….. no, I was thinking of Facebook just because. I was wondering whether Facebook is a vehicle for fanaticism, fiasco or fun……
As I thought about this more, I began to conclude that Facebook is indeed the vehicle for all of the above.
1. Fanaticism. Okay, when a person stops their wedding ceremony to update their profile to say they are married (yes, we have all seen the videos of the groom doing this IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CEREMONY) that is going TOO far – just too far. Facebook does not need to be connected on some sort of cyberspace IV drip….. disconnect, at least for your wedding! Heaven help your new spouse if Facebook came into the bedroom that night! I have also seen multiple labor and post-birth status updates… again… if you are in labor, perhaps, just perhaps, you should focus on the fact that you have a thing the size of a watermelon being pushed out of your body. Ask for an epidural, not a status update!
2. Fiasco. To me the biggest Facebook fiascos are those individuals who start to display parts of their personal life inappropriately ALL over Facebook. I do NOT want to know about you and your ex. I do not want to know that you found out who fathered your child. I do not want to know who cheated on you, who is a scum or that you were screaming at your boyfriend at 4 a.m. And I REALLY do not want to see you screaming at your boyfriend at 4 a.m. on his Facebook page. WAY TOO MUCH INFORMATION. Please, have some decency and self-respect and work out your issues the old-fashioned way – in person, over the telephone or via snail mail.
3. Fun. Yes, Facebook can be a lot of fun! I have posted old photos of friends, reconnected with wonderful people and made new friends. I get to see my friend’s children and my girls get to see photos of their cousins. It has been a gift in this area.
Today, 273 days ’til 40, I will remember that there are many things that can be used constructively or destructively. I plan to use Facebook in a constructive way and hope to teach my daughters to do the same. As for those who do not do that, please at least do us the favor of taking your personal lives (the TMI parts) off Facebook.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
bekahdu handmade
May 24, 2012 at 00:05
Not to mention the constant whiners!..the ones whose life is never good enough. If its not good enough, get off Facebook and fix it!
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 08:36
Yes! Or the ones who take photos of what they are eating! I do not want to see food update photos three times a day – unless it is unique and fabulous I just do not need to see your hamburger or burrito! 🙂
saymber
May 24, 2012 at 17:32
Well said bekahdu!
seakist
May 24, 2012 at 00:11
#1 and #2 are why I left Face Book.
And #3 is the reason I’m glad I had it for a little while 🙂
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 08:35
I have my moments… I am more inclined to “unfriend” those whose updates I cannot stand then leave FB altogether – I like being able to keep up with family on it.
seakist
May 24, 2012 at 13:29
Ahhh, family! Mine were too busy tending to their Face Book “farm” games. To get their attention I would have to do an old fashioned phone call 🙂
timzauto
May 24, 2012 at 00:34
Your sure right about that …esp when they begin to argue in the posts …WOW GET A GRIP …awesome post …Thanks for sharing your thoughts…
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 08:34
Exactly! You are welcome! 🙂
jensine
May 24, 2012 at 00:36
I agree, I don’t need to hear to much about peoples personal lives thats what personal mails are for 🙂
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 08:34
Yes!
narf7
May 24, 2012 at 00:40
Don’t forget (and I would make this number 4 on your list) that Facebook, and other social media make it incredibly hard to stop anything becoming news. Part nuisance part vital way to share stories that might otherwise be kept in the dark. Many of our “occupy” situations are as a result of like minded people being able to voice their concerns and find their voices via social media. We can tell big business, politicians and corrupt officials exactly what we think of them via social media and they are forced to listen or lose their position of power. Egypt is having its very first open elections in over 7000 years thanks to its people being able to mass via social media and garner support to overthrow a despotic ruler. What a powerful thing! We rediscovered lots of friends that we had lost in the Ether from all over the world however you need to phase out what is so much bampf and embrace the possiblities. Thank GOODNESS for customisation! 😉
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 08:37
Yes, you bring up such a good point. Facebook can be an amazing social media vehicle (for good and bad) and is accredited to a huge role in the Arab Spring… which is actually, quite phenomenal, when you really think about it….
Dave Knickerbocker
May 24, 2012 at 00:55
Cyberspace IV drip . . . I love it!
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 08:33
Thanks!!!
buckwheatsrisk
May 24, 2012 at 01:16
i am so with you on that!
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 08:33
🙂
That Gurl
May 24, 2012 at 02:24
Well said! 🙂
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 08:32
Thanks!!
Trinity River
May 24, 2012 at 02:56
Facebook makes me crazy. It’s has gotten way out of hand. I’m seriously thinking of removing myself from it completely.
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 08:32
I have those days too…
writerwannabe763
May 24, 2012 at 02:58
Agree 100%….Diane
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 08:32
Thanks!
viveka
May 24, 2012 at 09:58
Totally agree with you – I don’t use Facebook more then post my … blog and playing my CityVille, but even that has lost it’s charm. This with people sorting out their problems on FB, is down to bad judgement – not the right forum, but people don’t have a clue at times. Also FB are not very user friendly when there is a problem with your profile.
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 10:36
Yes, so very true! It is as though these people do not have any concept of appropriate boundaries.
sloppy buddhist
May 24, 2012 at 15:54
and one can always block and delete…and what is private and what is public is contested…great conversation!
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 16:15
Ah, so very true! I have thought about blocking a few friends and relatives of mine!!! 🙂
cometscorners
May 24, 2012 at 21:18
Totally agree!!
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 22:50
🙂 🙂 😉
becca3416
May 24, 2012 at 22:13
Amen!
400daystil40
May 24, 2012 at 22:37
🙂 🙂
The Quiet Borderline
May 24, 2012 at 22:57
Hehe.. I like your balanced point of view.
Everything in moderation!
400daystil40
May 25, 2012 at 10:06
Yes! Now, if only the people on FB would listen to me!!!
John Paul McNeil
May 25, 2012 at 05:02
Hadn’t been here in awhile, forgot how good your posts were (how do I follow without getting all that extra “stuff” ?…sorry, another issue). Speaking of “stuff”, yes, FB. The Home of Stuff. One hears that with all this social media, it is becoming such a small world, tra la la. I agree with you, if not done consciously, it actually distances us. Thanks for continuing your thoughtul posting.
400daystil40
May 25, 2012 at 10:01
Thank you so much!
sued51
May 25, 2012 at 20:12
Really good post. I found that I allowed it to affect my mood too much…I now just check out family photos for the most part…Also, I know lots of marriages that got broken up because of it.
Good point made by the commenter talking about the Occupy movement. It is useful tool for important issues also.
400daystil40
May 26, 2012 at 00:01
Yes, I can understand that! I also tend to look at photos and spend my time “lurking” more than posting.
Spider42
May 28, 2012 at 20:48
Like all things and the internet itself (as I keep trying to tell people but they don’t seem to get it…), facebook is simply a tool or a means to an end. It is not anything near an end by itself and never will be, simple as that.
People just get so caught up and turn it into their “15 minutes” or boost to their self-esteem or that it validates some very basic need to be praised/accepted or something… I feel a bit bad for you but then I also feel that unless your IQ is deficient, the net and all gives everyone whatever information they need at a moments notice – ignorance is no longer even a valid excuse if you are online and for those who are net savvy/heavy users but learn nothing, for you I have no pity and simple shake my head and hope that you find yourself a recipient of a Darwin Award sometime soon.
400daystil40
May 28, 2012 at 23:04
You made me laugh and I agree with your comments completely! I LOVE the Darwin awards!!! Sometimes I worry my girls may end up with one due to their teenage lack of common sense!
Spider42
May 29, 2012 at 13:31
You can only do your best and then stand back to catch if there is a fall.
As we get older I think this applies to not just our kids but our siblings, our friends, everyone. The older you get the less you want to be told you are wrong (most of the time) and teenage foolishness is still youthful folly, but its good practice for when they’re not kids or teens anymore I suppose. 🙂
400daystil40
May 29, 2012 at 14:01
You are so right! 🙂
artistspromenade
May 29, 2012 at 20:18
Love your post. Great discussions too.
I wonder how it is possible to spend all day on line cataloging your pain, food, and problems? I barely have enough time to read all the crap let alone write it. Sometimes I want to scream and remind people, “you’re speaking to the public.” T.M.I.
When my mom was young she was told families “don’t air their dirty laundry.”
On FB, it’s raining dirt laundry.
400daystil40
May 29, 2012 at 22:07
Yes, I agree with you completely!!!!! 🙂