I (we) first joined Facebook in 2007 when our first daughter was born and we wanted to share some pics with friends and family who could not be there. Back then, that was kind of the idea - keeping in touch with friends and by 'friends' I mean people who are actually your friend. I know, I'm confused too.
People use FB for different reasons, I know. Soon mine became a way of sharing info with others that may be helpful or useful - articles, links etc. and of course status updates so people knew what was happening with us. Those are the good things about FB. So, whats the issue?
I am beginning to think that FB has become the safe haven for virtual voyeurism particularly for those who have limited social skill or have some kind of 'neediness' that is born out in statements designed to illicit a particular response. People who will say "I'm so lonely right now..." and expect a deluge of "I'm here for you's" (actually I'm not actually 'here' but you know what I mean) or 'we love you, you are the best' or some such pithy statement. Maybe you are lonely because you have a lot of "Friends" but don't make the time to get any real ones? Harsh? Maybe. But, on my daily feed I am inundated with these and other such 'information' such as:
....an Instagram picture of your lunch....or new clothes...or random picture of a tree - cool, thanks for sharing.
...or the miles you just ran on nike fit -I'm proud of you!
...or the Bible verse you 'shared' from You version to show us you do read the Bible (Pssst we all know you can tap to upload without even reading it, pastorally speaking, I would love it if people spent that extra 30 seconds thinking or reading the verse than sharing it - but, that's just me)
...or the awkward selfie - again
...or the wonderful array of FB games you play. You grew a plant, won at poker or something - yay!
As if that's no quite enough, there are those who love to comment on everything you say - the FB wall hijackers. In my case, those tend to be people who are FB friends just because its more awkward not to be - like a social media version of refusing a handshake. Rude. But also, not real.
I am into real. Which is maybe why FB is no longer for me. Don't worry my 810 'friends', I won't be deleting my account but just re-branding its use. You wanna connect, catch me on twitter - real info, real links, real short -good stuff. Plus, no kittens!
As I get ready to speak this weekend, I am reminded of the sermon on the mount (a part of which I am speaking on). It's like an on-going live Tweet-fest as Jesus speaks and gives new meaning to some old understandings. It was frank and honest and true. Unlike so much of what I see on FB. It is virtual identity in a virtual world and I foresee a fallout when real life becomes unavoidable. Let's be real shall we? I for one am going to spend some of that time I have wasted on scrolling through the life you want me to see to try and see it for myself.
*insert selfie of sad face here*
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