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I had to leave. facebook. Him indoors, he can cope with it. And so can you probably. And so can the millions of people who are very controlled and can limit their time and involvement with it .
But me? I became hopelessly addicted in the time it took me to figure out the like button, and simultaneously, became totally unsatisfied with everything that facebook is.
Don't get me wrong it's not all bad, not all rampant egos, CIA spying and memes. I have met many wonderful people, some dedicated activists, renewed friendships, created some new ones and learned some new stuff...not much new stuff though.
Maybe it's the French genes which make me invariably totter towards a revolution, but I always ended up getting animated or upset, at someone or something. Mostly it was the general apathy and moral/intellectual laziness which seem to pervade the whole place, that got to me.
I would ruminate for days on an offending status comment and even more so, on the lack of response on something "important " I had posted.
People I had never met, sent me into the depths of despair. I made a few enemies as well as friends. I oscillated most days, between paranoia and elation. My son called me his facebook stalker and deleted me on several occasions because I insisted on posting "wise and encouraging" comments on his page, usually in the form of some positive thinking kittens.
First thing I did in the morning? facebook. At night? facebook. I'd lie to him indoors, telling him I was only checking my mail before switching off. But within a couple of clicks, I was reading what someone I didn't know or care for, had posted on the status of someone I didn't know or care for.
By three am, totally indignant towards noone in particular, I'd switch off reluctantly, pressurized by the turning and tossing of him indoors, woken up by the nasal declamation of some performance poet.
Sometimes we had surreal exchanges that went something like this:
me - I see you have not commented on my status.
him - Why should I, you're sitting beside me. Don't you think it's a bit silly, me commenting on what you are writing whilst you are sitting beside me telling me what you're writing?
me - That's NOT the point, I want people to know you care
him - Which I obviously do since I am with you for twenty years and I am currently sitting beside you
me - Have you even read it?
him - We've been discussing IT, non-stop for the last 2 days
me - Have you even read it?
him - No
me - Will you read it?
him - Yeah, ok.
me - NOW.
I am now going through detox or rather will be when I eventually press the dreaded "permanently deleted with no option for recovery" button and finally escape facebook. It's been fun, it's been worthwhile. You were all lovely. Now for something completely different !
But me? I became hopelessly addicted in the time it took me to figure out the like button, and simultaneously, became totally unsatisfied with everything that facebook is.
Maybe it's the French genes which make me invariably totter towards a revolution, but I always ended up getting animated or upset, at someone or something. Mostly it was the general apathy and moral/intellectual laziness which seem to pervade the whole place, that got to me.
I would ruminate for days on an offending status comment and even more so, on the lack of response on something "important " I had posted.
People I had never met, sent me into the depths of despair. I made a few enemies as well as friends. I oscillated most days, between paranoia and elation. My son called me his facebook stalker and deleted me on several occasions because I insisted on posting "wise and encouraging" comments on his page, usually in the form of some positive thinking kittens.
First thing I did in the morning? facebook. At night? facebook. I'd lie to him indoors, telling him I was only checking my mail before switching off. But within a couple of clicks, I was reading what someone I didn't know or care for, had posted on the status of someone I didn't know or care for.By three am, totally indignant towards noone in particular, I'd switch off reluctantly, pressurized by the turning and tossing of him indoors, woken up by the nasal declamation of some performance poet.
Sometimes we had surreal exchanges that went something like this:
me - I see you have not commented on my status.
him - Why should I, you're sitting beside me. Don't you think it's a bit silly, me commenting on what you are writing whilst you are sitting beside me telling me what you're writing?
me - That's NOT the point, I want people to know you care
him - Which I obviously do since I am with you for twenty years and I am currently sitting beside you
me - Have you even read it?
him - We've been discussing IT, non-stop for the last 2 days
me - Have you even read it?
him - No
me - Will you read it?
him - Yeah, ok.
me - NOW.
I am now going through detox or rather will be when I eventually press the dreaded "permanently deleted with no option for recovery" button and finally escape facebook. It's been fun, it's been worthwhile. You were all lovely. Now for something completely different !
