I fought the trend at first. I refused to be part of the social networking lifestyle taking over everyone’s lives. I blatantly declined sitting in front the computer all day when there was sunshine to bask in, oceans to swim and dirt tracks to hike. I never had a My Space page, by the time I got around to it, it was no longer trendy. I was the last of my friends to finally give in and get a Facebook account. Not that I was interested then either, but there was this photo album I just had to see. Even after I had a Facebook account and grudgingly added a Twitter account to the mix, I seldom used either and surely wasn’t adding either of them to my Blackberry, which by the way, I had strictly for professional purposes. My idea of social networking was a cocktail party. But in the end, I succumbed to it all. I’m even a little embarrassed to admit that just like most of you, I’m officially hooked on all of them. I’m an electronically socially networked junkie.
I’ve grown to love a good FB (well you didn’t think I was going to type out Facebook each time did you?) scan and a thoughtful Tweet can give me the giggles. (Both are on my Berry now). But recently some of the status updates and Tweets my ‘friends’ (I don’t even know some of these people) are posting have been a bit disturbing, so I’ve taken it on as my duty to help you find your way, since, it is evident, you got a little lost.
Please do tell us if you are happy, concerned, bewildered or bored. Tell your friends when you get your hair-do done and add a photo so we can “Like” it. Share the funny thing on YouTube, the insightful thing on Shine, the sorrowful thing on the Advocate’s back page.
Tweet about that wonderful article on 'why we love heels' you just read in Marie Claire, or about that new piece of heaven-on-earth you found in NovelTeas on the corner. (By the way, do try the Jasmine tea). We’re even delighted to read about that cute thing your darling child did and now Twitter lets you add photos. (Cudear).
Your Blackberry Messenger (we’ll call this BBM from here on in) status has an even shorter limit than Twittter, but you can still squeeze some sweet sayings in if you try. So give it a try.
However, (sigh) if you are constipated, have diarrhea, or found a strange rash in an even stranger place, your FB or BBM status or Twitter post, is not the place to share this. Your medical condition, other than, “traffic gives me a headache”, is not for us to know.
Your relationship status is not meant to be shared either. I don’t mean the info section on FB where it says “in a relationship with” or “married to” so-and-so. I mean when you just found out you’re being cheated on. “(Insert name here) is a dog”, isn’t right. I don’t care who they are or what they’ve done. Don’t get me wrong, by all means you should vent, but we ask that you try not to do this in public forums. This falls into the ‘over-share’ category and there isn’t a button for that.
Don't complicate the issue either. Kindly refrain from changing your BBM status to ‘updated Twitter’ with a link to your Twitter page and then Tweeting the link to your FB page so we can see a new music video. (Seriously?)
Finally, I’d like to recommend if I may, that you think before you tag, or link. That photo we took in the park ten years ago brought back good memories and we all shared a smile. (Though I find it hard to believe I once thought LA Gear sneakers in purple with mustard laces fashionable. Egad!) But that doesn’t mean I care to share it with everyone I know, so I don’t know why you think I should share it with everyone you know. Got me? Before you post links with info or images of other people on your social channels, be sure they don’t mind you sharing it. Send it in private message just in case. Or a random sneaker may get thrown in your general direction.
Be sociable. It’s our world, we should know what’s happening in it. Share and share alike. Just don’t share everything. Have fun fellow junkies and share responsibly.
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