Sunday, December 18, 2011

Anti-Facebook Snobbery


Wait, let me explain. I'm sorry. I don't really mean to hate on you, Facebook, it just seems to happen. I just blurt stuff out without thinking. I'm really sorry. I hope you can forgive me. It's just, well, I've seen how you have changed things so much, and I feel like not all of it is for the better, honestly. It just seems to me that the last thing our already narcissistic culture needed was more stuff about me, me, me...us, us, us. Here's my list of reasons why I've hesitated to get a Facebook account for so long:


**I get concerned about the superficial nature of Facebook (here I go again, hating on you, but I don't know how else to get this said).

**Hyperconnectivity. Do I really want to be connected with so many people so continually? Is this even good for a person? I do know people who are addicted to checking in on their Facebooks.

**Is it just me or is Facebook a little creepy? Back in the day, didn't they use to call someone who peeks into another person's life a "peeping Tom?"

**I'm a really private person, believe it or not, and the thought of everyone reading what I've posted on a wall...well, it's just not for me I guess.

**Lack of real conversation in Facebook interaction. There's so much snarky banter.

What's that? You say I'm being an anti-Facebook snob? You're probably right, I think I probably am. I mean that sincerely, actually. I think I have become an anti-Facebook snob.

I feel like I owe some of you, my friends (and even family), an explanation on why I've held off for so long on starting a Facebook account. And for those of you who are aware that I actually do have an account (which I ignore), I especially feel like I owe you an explanation. I'm really sorry, first of all. I really don't want to ignore my friends. I think the nub of my frustration with Facebook is this: we have Facebook for the studio, and the studio has, like, 1400 "friends." I really do see so much "snarky banter" and other nastiness (mostly from high school seniors) that I just get weary of it. Plus, I find Facebook's terminology and (constantly changing) layout confusing. These days, since Janie went to be with the Lord back in May of last year, I've been working hard to simplify my life, and honestly, adding Facebook - and all that goes with it: the constant barrage of updates, feeling like I'm not 'keeping up,' and whatnot - seemed, frankly, like a little too much for me.

Anyway, I do actually have a Facebook account! I mostly got it, no offense, because Spotify seemed (and is) cool. And it looked like you couldn't get Spotify without having a Facebook account. So there you go.

I also know that I will not have 1400 friends, and that the friends I do have will be awesome people like you and you won't be snarky and you won't be a peeping Tom (you won't, right?). Plus, I'm probably going to set up a separate page for the blog for privacy's sake...if I can figure out how to do that....

That said, I think I am going to give the Facebook thing an honest-to-goodness try. However, I don't see myself as one of those people who constantly checks for updates, so please don't be offended if I'm sluggish about replying to stuff, or whatever I'm supposed to do on Facebook. I know you are all Facebook Jedi by now, but I'm just the padawan-learner, so go easy on me, Masters!

6 comments:

  1. You are like most guys I know about fb. Especially the not-extrovert guys.

    My friend put it well about fb, for those of us post-high-school, 20 years ago types: if you're a quiet person in the "real world", you don't have much to say (post) on fb, and enjoy just "listening". Not really peeping, because the person is posting for all to see - not peeking into private things... And If you're gabby person in the "real world" you have no problem blabbing it all there on fb either.

    The weirdness I completely agree with.

    I do enjoy re-connecting and keeping up with with friends and family across the country that I would otherwise never see. Makes it easy to do so. And especially seeing their PICTURES. (my favorite part of fb). family and friends whom I would otherwise never see: Jenny, Jill, Cindy, Jeni, Mary Catherine, Becca, Daniel, Lara, James, Brenda, sometimes Brad, Tammy, Aunt Connie, Cheryl Cochran, John Sullivan - old drama club pics, friends from our old church,... the list goes on. I see it as a blessing in that regard.

    Otherwise, I agree with all you're saying. preach it.

    Should I go friend you?

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  2. Hi Chris,
    I have my moments with FB also, but its a tool and sometimes I use it well and other times not so well. ;)

    Anyway, my comment is really more about a little comment you made about simplifying your life. For blog fodder, I'd be interested in what that looks like for you (or any of us for that matter). I'm finding it always a challenge to be singularly focused as I follow Christ with so many earthbound distractions. So, simplifying is a concept that sounds attractive. If you have any thoughts and post a blog sometime, please ping my blog or FB. (I'll try not to be snarky ;)

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  3. Oh gosh. The day after I read this blog post, you came up as a person I might know on facebook. Funny! Wishing you a blessed Christmas. Heather

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  4. Carol, I think that's the nicest way anyone has ever told me that I'm old. I guess we can be friends... 8-D

    Tim, I'll think about 'simplifying' and see about a post. Don't know what "ping" is though, so I'm afraid you'll just have to suffer through visiting my blog over and over and over again...8-D

    Heather! Nice to hear from you! Long time no talk...maybe we should connect via Facebook haha! Actually, it would be nice to get updated on your family's news....I'll stalk you on Facebook..8-D

    Ps. Heather---the puppies say hello.

    Merry Christmas everyone!

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  5. Tim: My sister just posted about "simplifying" on her blog...thought you might like it: http://awalkinthewoods-carol.blogspot.com/2011/12/simplify.html

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  6. Chris, laughing... I'll gladly suffer through these visits... with joy! :D Thanks too for the link, I'm always good for a walkinthewoods.

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