I have come to the conclusion that it's impossible to leave Fecebook altogether if one has family and friends that are pretty much FB-only types. These days FB-only types are legion, too. You may send them a regular email; they will answer it on FB. You may call and tell them you've been worried at not hearing from them; they will tell you they've "facebooked" you, as if that's a verb.
In short, once you go FB you can't go back.
And so, in order to maintain both connections and sanity, I limit FB exposure. Once or twice a day I'll go check- scan the "home" page, read the messages and my "wall". There are always memes to post, news to share, funnies. There are some FB pages that are just hilarious- "Awkward Bands and Musician Photos" has brought me to tears several times- and some that are informative, and some that are rather like a group meeting. I can too easily be drawn into the drama of the moment, so I avoid tsuris and breastbeaters. I don't lurk. I avoid commenting.
And most of all, I don't even try to keep up with everyone anymore. I think that's where the trouble comes from. There's too much going on, you just can't read everyone's page, comments and "shares". I figure if it's important enough it'll be brought to my attention. I don't need to see today's cat photo funnies (and ever since reading how a lot of them are done, with dead animals, it's taken the ha-ha away) or angst-ridden Hallmarkish quotes. But I do like the news (it really is the best way to get local news around here) and seeing friends' photos.
FB is something you can work out for your own means. For some, it fills their days. They're there anytime you log in, day or night, and ready to argue. I can't do that. It has its place in my life because I can't be in contact with some people any other way. That's how it'll stay. But as a steady diet, like sweets and chips, it's bad for you.
MYSTERIOUS GARDEN
10 months ago
Posts
8 comments:
I am on F/B,but not really. Most things people post are unimportant messages that you have to wonder why someone took the time to write. The only reason I look is to see pictures from friends and family members. Every now and then I see a political statement that I ignore whether I agree or disagree. I don't want to get into anything like that.
Facebook is one of many things I just don't do. It seems like a roach motel to me--easy to get into and impossible to get out of. I'm glad you're limiting yourself--you sound like you're being very sensible about it. There is much more to life than FB.
No FB here. I spend too much time on the computer as it is. And yes, people have tried very hard to convince me that opting out is a mistake, but so far I am happy with my decision.
Arleen- there are family members who communicate in no other way now, so in order to know what's up I have to be on there. :P
Moony- If Sandy had never hit Jersey, I'd never have joined it. But once you join, it's definitely a roach motel.
EC- I wish I'd never touched the tar baby, to tell the truth. It's more aggravation than hilarity. But it's only what you make of it. When you learn how to block out notices of what everyone posts it's easier to take.
I get in once every couple of months to ensure my privacy settings are as high as possible, but otherwise, I only keep it so that I have control over my own name on the site.
GDad- that sounds like a good plan. I've taken email addresses in my name just to secure them. Sheesh.
Post a Comment