Original post November 12th 2012
Two years ago I had never heard of Facebook, but now, it is my go-to site as soon as I log onto my computer. I want to see who is doing what and complaining about whom. I am not the only one doing this, I see my husband do the same thing and, from the amount of posts I see people make, it is clear we are not the only ones.
What is it about this social networking site that has everyone returning to their computers time and time again to get updates on their family and friends? Is it the voyeur in us that has to see what others are doing? Seeing that this friend ate potato chips for breakfast or that friend is heading to the mall or still another who is viewing Facebook from her computer at work.
Is it the narcissist in some that gets reassured by seeing that others have worse problems than their own? Seeing that So and so had yet another fight with her husband, XXX has a boss who is a jerk, a friend, who doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her whole body, having a anxiety attack because she thinks her but is too big?
Is it just basic human nature to have friends and seek out their company, even if it is from a few random blurbs they choose to share throughout the day? Blurbs, which in turn, we fill the need to respond to as they must have been speaking directly to us, right?
Of course that could also go the other way as in “dang dude, I don’t think I would have said that” much less posted it for the whole Facebook community to view. Seriously, I know this is the new age of technology and it is supposed to capture what you are thinking at the moment but I am still of the mindset that some thoughts and personal conflicts are not meant to be posted on Facebook.
As a mom to three grown children, all living in different states, I love to keep track of them through Facebook. For the most part I speak with my daughter every day. On the rare occasion we do not speak, I can still keep tabs on her via her facebook post. I also find the pictures she posts of my grandchildren priceless. I can honestly say I have seen more pictures of the children since she signed up for Facebook than ever before.
My oldest son lives in Florida. While he does not call every day I am comforted when I see he has became friends with yet another person. It is not so much being grateful that he has a lot of friends as the simple act of seeing that he was on the computer today and knowing that he is alive and presumably well.
Our youngest son has yet to join Facebook; something about being too busy. Seriously, is that actually an excuse in this day and age when you can update your status while sitting at the drive-thru waiting for your order to be filled? In reality, I know his reasons are just but that doesn’t stop the mom in me from wanted to be able to keep tabs on him as well.
I am not sure how I survived before Facebook or what I did with the time I now spend checking, posting, re-checking and re-posting my every move but I am sure glad I have found this all important venue. In a way it is almost like facebook itself is my friend as I talk to it every day and really enjoy its company. On the other hand I could be losing it and need an intervention. Either way, I think I will end this for now and see what all my friends are up to; Facebook is waiting for me…
Oh and one thing to remember… while a post can be deleted from your wall, if it was memorable enough, it will forever linger in the minds of all who saw it.
Two years ago I had never heard of Facebook, but now, it is my go-to site as soon as I log onto my computer. I want to see who is doing what and complaining about whom. I am not the only one doing this, I see my husband do the same thing and, from the amount of posts I see people make, it is clear we are not the only ones.
What is it about this social networking site that has everyone returning to their computers time and time again to get updates on their family and friends? Is it the voyeur in us that has to see what others are doing? Seeing that this friend ate potato chips for breakfast or that friend is heading to the mall or still another who is viewing Facebook from her computer at work.
Is it the narcissist in some that gets reassured by seeing that others have worse problems than their own? Seeing that So and so had yet another fight with her husband, XXX has a boss who is a jerk, a friend, who doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her whole body, having a anxiety attack because she thinks her but is too big?
Is it just basic human nature to have friends and seek out their company, even if it is from a few random blurbs they choose to share throughout the day? Blurbs, which in turn, we fill the need to respond to as they must have been speaking directly to us, right?
Of course that could also go the other way as in “dang dude, I don’t think I would have said that” much less posted it for the whole Facebook community to view. Seriously, I know this is the new age of technology and it is supposed to capture what you are thinking at the moment but I am still of the mindset that some thoughts and personal conflicts are not meant to be posted on Facebook.
As a mom to three grown children, all living in different states, I love to keep track of them through Facebook. For the most part I speak with my daughter every day. On the rare occasion we do not speak, I can still keep tabs on her via her facebook post. I also find the pictures she posts of my grandchildren priceless. I can honestly say I have seen more pictures of the children since she signed up for Facebook than ever before.
My oldest son lives in Florida. While he does not call every day I am comforted when I see he has became friends with yet another person. It is not so much being grateful that he has a lot of friends as the simple act of seeing that he was on the computer today and knowing that he is alive and presumably well.
Our youngest son has yet to join Facebook; something about being too busy. Seriously, is that actually an excuse in this day and age when you can update your status while sitting at the drive-thru waiting for your order to be filled? In reality, I know his reasons are just but that doesn’t stop the mom in me from wanted to be able to keep tabs on him as well.
I am not sure how I survived before Facebook or what I did with the time I now spend checking, posting, re-checking and re-posting my every move but I am sure glad I have found this all important venue. In a way it is almost like facebook itself is my friend as I talk to it every day and really enjoy its company. On the other hand I could be losing it and need an intervention. Either way, I think I will end this for now and see what all my friends are up to; Facebook is waiting for me…
Oh and one thing to remember… while a post can be deleted from your wall, if it was memorable enough, it will forever linger in the minds of all who saw it.
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