I have a 'friend' on
Facebook
who recently posted a profile picture of herself skinny dipping in
Ladakh. While I am all for individual freedom, I must admit I was
shocked as an audience at the organic exhibit. Today, Facebook is making
us see too much of people's lives - too much that we can puke with all
that information. People are literally exposing their butts in public!
Here's why it is a bad thing:
1.
First The Shallow Reason: You Cloud Their Wall With Irrelevant Info About Yourself
What is your #OOTD (Google that!), when are you lusting for a red velvet
cupcake (girls especially), and where and who did you drink with last
night are basically you using up my Facebook Timeline space to
self-glorify yourself. I like seeing your pics every once in a while,
which possibly even makes me feel jealous about your great life, but
every time? That's just too flashy and exhibitionistic!
2.
Intellectualizing Facebook and Expressing Your Political Beliefs Is Mostly Pretentious
There is a new wave of Facebook activism in India, where people post ten
liner statuses about the Swachh Bharat Abhiyanan, but still litter the
roads when they step out in real life; where men diss sexism in all its
forms, using fancy adjectives and all that - and yet hurl denigrating
remarks at the woman who chose to wear super-short clothes in the metro.
Every time a politician makes a political gaffe, we see statuses of at
least 10 Facebook activists ripping him apart, using copy-pasted
arguments that were stated earlier by the media. The reality is - we
don't need people telling us over and over that politicians suck! We
know it enough already!
3.
Negative Press: When Things Go South, Don't Post! You Look Like A Brooding Dog
In an extension to the previous point, if you have faced any misgivings
in the past, posting about them on this networking site will,
unfortunately, not make it cathartic. For instance, someone posted a
sentimental status on how much she was missing her mom, while a woman on
her friend list snarkily labeled her attention-seeking in a chat with
another friend. True, the catharsis of posting those sad quotes only
makes people lonelier in the end. Because the internet doesn't elicit
the warm, comforting embrace that posters seek. Because the internet is a
cold place, mostly.
5
. Let There Be Some Mystery About You
If your friends know everything about you through
Facebook and Twitter,
why would they take time out for you? They already know where you are
working, whether you are Right Wing or Left Wing, what colors you like,
who are your best pals, what's your favorite drink...Instead, be a
little mysterious. Don't share everything on Facebook. Let only special
people in on those precious thoughts and funny humour.
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