Considering the use and abuse that comes with Facebook

Where else can you find up to the minute plans of people you never see in person, photos of the latest haircuts of all your friends, overused inspirational quotes, and above all else, the central location for complaints, but Facebook? As an initial disclaimer, I am in no way discrediting the genius behind the social media that is Facebook; I’m simply stating my opinion on its use and abuse.

I think it’s safe to assume that those with a Facebook account knowingly spend an extensive amount of time on the internet in general, but also constantly checking who’s doing what, where, when and with whom. I’ve noticed that at the times when I’m doing the least, (and sometimes out of sheer, seemingly unconscious habit), I check Facebook.

And then one day I realized I didn’t actually care about all that I scrolled through. I cared about the people, but the real versions of them, the versions I talk to in person. It’s a strange phenomenon in our current day that we interact more through technology than face-to-face communication. I’d do anything to receive a handwritten letter, to be with friends without texting others, to not see people working and eating dinner at the same time and that not being promoted in restaurants everywhere. It’s a sad picture that’s around of a technologically hooked world.

We’re obsessed with trying to figure out what a vague status might be about, liking and commenting on the relationship status that changes every season, and getting a pity vote from anyone that wants to listen or simply has nothing better to do. We all know the policy of, “once on the internet, forever on the internet,” but I think some judgments slip in terms of censorship and decisions made regarding what one shares with his or her close friends, coworkers, neighbors, and occasional basic stranger.

We’re obsessed with trying to figure out what a vague status might be about, liking and commenting on the relationship status that changes every season, and getting a pity vote from anyone that wants to listen or simply has nothing better to do. We all know the policy of, “once on the internet, forever on the internet,” but I think some judgments slip in terms of censorship and decisions made regarding what one shares with his or her close friends, coworkers, neighbors, and occasional basic stranger.

What may be between a few people, when posted in fits of anger or lack of thoughts for repercussions, intensifies that much more when providing those uninvolved a chance to put in their own opinions.

It isn’t the concept itself, one of a wonderful means of keeping in contact with distant family or friends that space keeps apart, but it shouldn’t become a substitute for physical interactions.

I think that if people spent less time looking at what they don’t have and took time to step outside, enjoy the breeze by the water with a best friend, even just looked up at the stars every once in a while, they might just live differently. And I think that’s what we need to do.

I think that if people spent less time looking at what they don’t have and took time to step outside, enjoy the breeze by the water with a best friend, even just looked up at the stars every once in a while, they might just live differently. And I think that’s what we need to do.

We need to start living, period.