The Facebook revolution has swept through my friendship circle like an unexpected belch at dinner. Once its out there, you cant take it back. I have contacted many friends through Facebook, some have accepted my requests, some not. The one question that remains constant is this: "How many friends can I accumulate, whether I like them or not."
It all began with a competition I had with my partner on who could get the most friends. (Currently, I am winning. ) Which poses another conundrum in this age of "being the best". At what cost are we selling our souls to make our profile bigger, our presence in the market better? On my list of friends are people I have met through Facebook, in the late night Poker games and friends I have searched for after many years of no contact. To this end, I realise that adding to my friends list does not automatically generate invitations to dinner and weekends away.
We assume that when someone accepts our friend request, they are ultimately saying, "Hey, how u doin'. Lets stay in contact". When in reality all it means is another notch on the Facebook belt. How many times have you tried to contact and ex-lover, an old friend you had a falling out with, a cousin you never really liked? Probably once or twice. Facebook gives you the opportunity to open the door to a cyber-connection you don't have to explain or maintain. It's easier just to add a friend than to actually be a friend. We've all done it. We search their profiles - what are they up to, where are they now - in the secret hope our profile is bigger than theirs! We've lost understanding on how to communicate face to face with people in our everyday lives. Our alter-ego craves the attention paid to its profile and salivates at the thought of being looked at without actually having to talk to anyone. To that end I haven’t added anyone to my friends list that I don’t like or haven’t had a good laugh with.
Life has become a steady stream of internet links, mobile communication and bad manners. We have become impatient, demanding and self-appreciating. Even dinner conversation revolves around Facebook, "everyone's on it" and its hard to ignore. So lets' bring back the wine, the conversation, the good food and good company. I'm already doing my bit. On my profile you can send me drinks and food ( I received a chocolate cake the other day), I can chat online and use webcam. Who needs to get changed out of their jim-jams to get out there? This is where the action is and if I don't want to wax my legs for a night out with the girls, I don't need to. Give me a comfy seat, my laptop, and oh, can you pour me a glass of wine? Cheers.
it is wat it is!!