Before I start, I’ll be honest with you. I spend an inordinately large amount of time on Facebook. So much time in fact that I am seriously considering giving it up for a while, in an attempt to ween myself off of it. I am truly an addict.
And also, before I start, and just for the record; I don’t want to take part in “Mafia Wars”; I couldn’t give a flying ape’s testicle what new animals you have on “Farmworld”; and I have no interest whatsoever in becoming a fan of “sleeping in on a Sunday” or any such regular event that people seem to think it’s quirky to announce they like doing; and I do not want to “reconnect” with people I haven’t spoken to since I was 11.
I use Facebook for one thing, and one thing only; stalking people who I have not seen for years and subsequently judging their lives against mine. That’s what it’s for!
Because, good people, Facebook is the ultimate benchmarking tool. Where am I against the stupid kid from my class? Where am I versus the sporty guy? Am I doing better or worse than the fat boy? The answer to all these questions and more is there for you, at the press of a few buttons, and the uninvited look at a few private pictures which have been deemed “not too embarrassing to post”.
It is possible to spend hours each month, (conservative estimate) sifting through the reams and reams of photos posted by various friends. Each photo boldly telling you, the sad viewer, “look how much better a time I am having than you”. In Facebook photos everyone is having a good time except for the sad loser looking at them. That’s because no one takes photos of themselves sitting in their pyjamas at half twelve on a sunday eating a curly wurly whilst watching the Hollyoaks omnibus. No, every photo is a happy embrace with a friend, or a flirty smile to the camera whilst toasting the night. These photo’s are only a reflection of the lives people lead, but what a reflection they are.
In fact, not only can you judge your “friends” (who you may not have seen for the last 5 years) by the photos they have on there, but you can see what type of company they keep by monitoring the posts that are made on their walls. Most of the time, you don’t even have to go out of your way to do this, as the posts are nicely presented to you whenever you log on.The majority of the posts are harmless enough, but give the on looking Facebook voyeur yet another chance to glimpse the wonderful life you have created for yourself.
But is this healthy? Is it a good thing to see every single night out picture? Do you really want to know every little thought that pops into a person’s head whilst they mess about online? Do we want to become the generation who relates to their fellow man by “poking” one another virtually? I know I don’t…. But do you think I can break away from it? Not a chance.
I even use the damn thing to advertise this blog!
You are SO right about Facebook. I think if you can use it for advertising that might be all its good for. I shut down all my FB pages back in May then re-opened my account after a week of FB withdrawal symptoms. Now I find myself becoming very bored with it as far as a social network. I get constant friend requests then notice that 4 months later they have yet to say hello. Your honesty about the FB stalking is very much appreciated. And funny, too!