The socially inept network
I must admit I find it quite humorous – in a disturbing, twisted kind of way – just how quickly our society has adapted, communicatively speaking, since the ascension of Facebook to the top of the “coolest thing going online” list in the past handful of years. And while I’m certainly no stranger to the hugely popular website, I’m fairly certain I’ve managed to avoid that insane addiction which continues to afflict an ever-increasing percentage of the world’s online population on a daily basis.
Facebookaholism.
Yes, this chronic illness – while not officially recognized by the psychological community – is as dangerous as any I’ve ever encountered. And it’s only getting worse.
I’m sure those of you who, like myself, frequent the world of Facebook know exactly what I mean. You know, those people who, no matter how hard they try, simply can not break away from their smart-phone, laptop, desktop or, nowadays, tablet for more than ten minutes without updating or checking their current Facebook status. Or, for that matter, the status of their mother-brother-uncle-cousin-friend-best friend-best female friend-etcetera (the list goes on and on).
And if you’re reading this wondering to yourself just what, exactly, I’m talking about, you’re probably better off in the long run. Why? Because this Facebook addiction is serious business.
These hopeless addicts, these Facebookaholics, represent people of all ages. Teenagers, adults (young and old), even toddlers are impacted by this growing threat. I’m sure that somewhere out there, right this very minute, there’s some small child waiting hungrily on his or her mother (or father) for some breakfast while she mindlessly re-posts music videos of her favorite 1980s hair band.
That’s right, you guessed it, Facebookaholism at its worst.
In this day and age, we even have websites dedicated to the affliction. I’m not kidding. Most of theses sites even feature their own version of a 12-Step Program. Honestly, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, or both.
People lose sleep over Facebook. They ignore loved ones, not to mention their jobs. Some even break out in a cold sweat when their Internet connection slows and Facebook just isn’t moving fast enough.
Again, that’s not to say I don’t take advantage of (and even enjoy at times) the Facebook experience. The site itself can be a useful tool, provide all manner of entertainment and it’s a great way to communicate with distant friends and family. You can share photos, the latest joke and, with a quick click of your mouse, “like” any other posts that happen to catch your eye.
Sometimes, however, people simply go too far.
My personal favorites are those people who, literally, take zero time whatsoever to double check what they’ve actually posted. And I’m not talking about spelling errors here, I’m talking about the vulgar, senseless language that some Facebook bottom-dwellers seem to favor. What’s sad is that there’s no way to tell if these poor souls are even aware of what they’re doing. Do they realize that everyone out there in Facebook land (at least those they’re connected to) can see, plain as day, what they’ve just put out there for all to see?
Believe it or not people, but there are ways to get your point across without pulling every four-letter word you can think of out of the hat. Oh, and then posting it online where everyone and their brother (or sister-mother-nephew-cousin-etcetera) can see it. Really, there is.
Actually, the more I think of it, the more I realize that my Facebook page could use a complete overhaul. Back before my days as an Evening Sun staff writer, I “friended” just about anybody and everybody. The reasoning behind this was simple, really, I was using the site as a promotional tool for the various musical groups I was associated with at the time.
These days, however, I must say it’s disheartening to see some of the rubbish people so casually throw out there on Facebook. I’m sorry, but I simply don’t see the need for gossip, name-calling and vulgarity. Therefore, I think I’ll spend this weekend giving my profile a major overhaul. It may take me four or five hours (or longer) but hey, at least I can honestly say I’m no Facebookaholic.
What is that they say about denial?
Follow me on Twitter ... @evesunbrian.
Facebookaholism.
Yes, this chronic illness – while not officially recognized by the psychological community – is as dangerous as any I’ve ever encountered. And it’s only getting worse.
I’m sure those of you who, like myself, frequent the world of Facebook know exactly what I mean. You know, those people who, no matter how hard they try, simply can not break away from their smart-phone, laptop, desktop or, nowadays, tablet for more than ten minutes without updating or checking their current Facebook status. Or, for that matter, the status of their mother-brother-uncle-cousin-friend-best friend-best female friend-etcetera (the list goes on and on).
And if you’re reading this wondering to yourself just what, exactly, I’m talking about, you’re probably better off in the long run. Why? Because this Facebook addiction is serious business.
These hopeless addicts, these Facebookaholics, represent people of all ages. Teenagers, adults (young and old), even toddlers are impacted by this growing threat. I’m sure that somewhere out there, right this very minute, there’s some small child waiting hungrily on his or her mother (or father) for some breakfast while she mindlessly re-posts music videos of her favorite 1980s hair band.
That’s right, you guessed it, Facebookaholism at its worst.
In this day and age, we even have websites dedicated to the affliction. I’m not kidding. Most of theses sites even feature their own version of a 12-Step Program. Honestly, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, or both.
People lose sleep over Facebook. They ignore loved ones, not to mention their jobs. Some even break out in a cold sweat when their Internet connection slows and Facebook just isn’t moving fast enough.
Again, that’s not to say I don’t take advantage of (and even enjoy at times) the Facebook experience. The site itself can be a useful tool, provide all manner of entertainment and it’s a great way to communicate with distant friends and family. You can share photos, the latest joke and, with a quick click of your mouse, “like” any other posts that happen to catch your eye.
Sometimes, however, people simply go too far.
My personal favorites are those people who, literally, take zero time whatsoever to double check what they’ve actually posted. And I’m not talking about spelling errors here, I’m talking about the vulgar, senseless language that some Facebook bottom-dwellers seem to favor. What’s sad is that there’s no way to tell if these poor souls are even aware of what they’re doing. Do they realize that everyone out there in Facebook land (at least those they’re connected to) can see, plain as day, what they’ve just put out there for all to see?
Believe it or not people, but there are ways to get your point across without pulling every four-letter word you can think of out of the hat. Oh, and then posting it online where everyone and their brother (or sister-mother-nephew-cousin-etcetera) can see it. Really, there is.
Actually, the more I think of it, the more I realize that my Facebook page could use a complete overhaul. Back before my days as an Evening Sun staff writer, I “friended” just about anybody and everybody. The reasoning behind this was simple, really, I was using the site as a promotional tool for the various musical groups I was associated with at the time.
These days, however, I must say it’s disheartening to see some of the rubbish people so casually throw out there on Facebook. I’m sorry, but I simply don’t see the need for gossip, name-calling and vulgarity. Therefore, I think I’ll spend this weekend giving my profile a major overhaul. It may take me four or five hours (or longer) but hey, at least I can honestly say I’m no Facebookaholic.
What is that they say about denial?
Follow me on Twitter ... @evesunbrian.
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