I have a 'friend' on Facebook who recently posted a profile picture of herself skinny dipping in Ladakh. While I am all for individual freedom, I must admit I was shocked as an audience at the organic exhibit. Today, Facebook is making us see too much of people's lives - too much that we can puke with all that information. People are literally exposing their butts in public! Here's why it is a bad thing:
1. First The Shallow Reason: You Cloud Their Wall With Irrelevant Info About Yourself
What is your #OOTD (Google that!), when are you lusting for a red velvet cupcake (girls especially), and where and who did you drink with last night are basically you using up my Facebook Timeline space to self-glorify yourself. I like seeing your pics every once in a while, which possibly even makes me feel jealous about your great life, but every time? That's just too flashy and exhibitionistic!
2. Intellectualizing Facebook and Expressing Your Political Beliefs Is Mostly Pretentious
There is a new wave of Facebook activism in India, where people post ten liner statuses about the Swachh Bharat Abhiyanan, but still litter the roads when they step out in real life; where men diss sexism in all its forms, using fancy adjectives and all that - and yet hurl denigrating remarks at the woman who chose to wear super-short clothes in the metro. Every time a politician makes a political gaffe, we see statuses of at least 10 Facebook activists ripping him apart, using copy-pasted arguments that were stated earlier by the media. The reality is - we don't need people telling us over and over that politicians suck! We know it enough already!
3. Negative Press: When Things Go South, Don't Post! You Look Like A Brooding Dog
In an extension to the previous point, if you have faced any misgivings in the past, posting about them on this networking site will, unfortunately, not make it cathartic. For instance, someone posted a sentimental status on how much she was missing her mom, while a woman on her friend list snarkily labeled her attention-seeking in a chat with another friend. True, the catharsis of posting those sad quotes only makes people lonelier in the end. Because the internet doesn't elicit the warm, comforting embrace that posters seek. Because the internet is a cold place, mostly.
5. Let There Be Some Mystery About You
If your friends know everything about you through Facebook and Twitter, why would they take time out for you? They already know where you are working, whether you are Right Wing or Left Wing, what colors you like, who are your best pals, what's your favorite drink...Instead, be a little mysterious. Don't share everything on Facebook. Let only special people in on those precious thoughts and funny humour.
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