This post is inspired by Facebook, and the inane 'status updates' thereon. Sometimes I literally cannot believe what people choose to post about - "I fell asleep at 8 o'clock last night!" or "Go Habs Go!" (the Habs are the Montreal Canadiens, an NHL team).
And these types of posts, inevitably, get responses & attention from others who feel they want to share their early-night stories or put forth a comment that lays bare their emotional commitment to another hockey team.
I really don't mind if people want to jibber on about these non-events. Really, I don't. Fill yer boots. What I do mind, however, is how I'll get pounced upon when I post something with a political or world-issues slant.
People who never comment will pipe up when I mention something with more import than a sports score, and at first blush, this seems like a good thing. Great! They are paying some mind to issues that go beyond Hollywood or how much they like Starbucks! but it's not like that, really. It's more that they feel they must scold me, and that is what I'm not okay with.
Their reactions range from obvious defensiveness: "That's not a big deal, don't worry, *I'm* not worried, I know everything is fine." To insult: "You are angry." And finally, to outright pathetic helplessness: "Well there's nothing anyone can do so why even bring that up?"
It is clear that there is a large amount of people in the community who feel they must police those among us who want to challenge the status quo. No government official or even facebook employee ever tells me not to discuss something.. no, instead my "friends" will jump up and try and put a stop to my thinking outside the box.
People aren't sheep, it turns out. They are sheepdogs.
My next status update will be something really interesting. Maybe something like: "I just belched."
:) I'm sure I'll get a lot of happy responses.
2 comments:
I can't get into my FAcebook account due to computer problems. What I wonder, though, is with these people who list tons of friends, how many can a person really count on? I know it isn't many.
ha ha.. absolutely! I don't have a big list of friends on my facebook - and really, I'd like to cancel it due to privacy concerns but it's a very good way to keep my collection of friends up to date on my painting 0 and also to easily keep in touch with them since many of them live far away.
-- I heard a DJ suggest the following: Post on your facebook status that you're moving and need a few volunteers to help. then delete everyone who doesn't reply. :D
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