A Rant About Facebook

Well, it seems my blog has become unduly boring, dear reader, mostly due to the fact that I've consistently neglected it for the last few months. However, I do have some incendiary insights to share with you today, about your favorite topic (yes - I know all  your favorite topics) -- Facebook.

Photo courtesy scrapetv.com

I am taking a Facebook hiatus. I know this may be a foreign concept to many, but let me explain.

In case you didn't know (I mentioned it to a teacher today, and he didn't know and found it rather hilarious), people over the last few years have taken to giving up Facebook for Lent. I think it's a good idea. It's not exactly why I'm taking a break, however.

In the midst of conversation with PJ and Katie, I discovered that I turn to Facebook when I'm having a bad day. I don't know why, for I certainly don't find solace there. In fact, Facebook, like good wine, is proven to be a depressor -- looking at the highlights of the lives of others certainly isn't going to make you feel great about your own lame, bad day, after all.

Because of this, I decided to see how I fared off Facebook.

Guess what?

I feel markedly better, and I've redeemed at least three hours per week.

That's not insignificant. Think about it.

Now, for a rant --  FACEBOOK HAS TOO MUCH POWER OVER OUR SOCIAL LIVES.

I'm serious! There's a flipside to the coin, of course, but I'm going to concentrate on the negative side for now. The advent of Facebook has created a relational phenomenon -- we now conduct our relationships in the public eye, often for the public eye.

When someone asks you out but doesn't subsequently post that he's/she's your boyfriend/girlfriend on Facebook, are you really, officially going out?

What's the best way to show that you're having fun in college? Why, post pictures, of course! Your old high school classmates are never going to know that you're having a great life unless you provide them with the all-important, indisputable proof of a photograph.

I'm only being a bit hyperbolic. Since I've gotten off Facebook, some people seem to think it equivalent to my showing up on a list of missing persons. Among the reactions...

A text message asking, "Jaimie!! What happened to your Facebook?!"

Uh... *shifty eyes* If I killed it, can we still be friends?

A text message from a friend I haven't heard from in forever: "Hey, I was thinking about you and just wanted to see how you were doing!"

My answer, suspecting the issue: "I'm doing well! I'm taking a break from Facebook if you were wondering what happened to me. :)"

Her answer: "That's exactly what I was wondering!"

>_> Oh. I thought maybe you were just asking because I actually came to mind out of nowhere. But the absence of my Facebook is important, too.

I know, I know. I'm being overly sarcastic, but you get the picture. I'm going to resume Facebook after Easter (not coincidentally, which is why Lent only partly plays into this), so it's not like I'm advocating a total shut-down. It does frustrate me, however, to see the effects that my leaving the Facebook world has on some people's peace of mind.

So, to all who were wondering: off-screen, my life goes on.

I promise.