When I first decided to get on Facebook, I thought that the idea was genius, and it would be the greatest thing since the internet was implemented.. I imagined that people from different geographic locations would be able to connect, and learn from one another. I believed that ideas would flow freely between people and the world just might come together because someone in Africa, or Russia, or The Middle East would be able to find common ground with a man in Alabama, or a woman in Maine, or other families throughout the U.S., and finally the world would start to come together because we would see each other as people, and not ideologies, or Governments, or threats. I was excited that people would now become smarter because they would present ideas out there, share some laughter, or discuss and embrace differences with one another. I thought that people would present challenging discussions to one another that would push intellect, and people would take the time to share ideas and learn from one another, writing with clarity, and precision, and that soon the the world might just be better because we would be able to express ourselves and see others do the same, and know that we all are very similar, and be able to identify, and treat each other with respect. I thought all of this would occur, and now I realize one very important thing: I was living in a fantasy world of the highest order when I thought that. Shame on me.
Don't get me wrong, some of that does exist, as seen with creating awareness of benefits for disasters, connecting people in sorrow, making people aware of certain news events, and keeping people who don't normally see one another in contact as friends and families. All of that is a great thing that should be noted and appreciated, because there is some sort of connection there with each other. but the problem seems to be at least from my point of view that instead of drawing us together, in some ways this media is ripping people apart, and created an environment of laziness, isolation, and divisive dissent in ways that I have never seen before in my life. Yes this place could be fun, intellectually stimulating, and a great place to unwind from work, and a place where sharing information and laughter could flow, but there is definitely an aura of stupidity that permeates it now. Stupidity that compartmentalizes people into groups, and dismisses ideas that are different by making people react defensively, to one another, and passively to their own thought processes, and angrily towards ideas that are not like theirs. These conditions turn normally level headed adults into blabbering children stomping their feet in tantrums to get the point across that it's their way or they are taking their ball and going home.
Facebook has become infiltrated with idiocy, share and paste mentality, and bumper sticker slogans that do absolutely nothing except make people have a sheep mentality.Instead of stimulating conversation, they provoke confrontation because most of these stupid bumper stickers are designed for some visceral reaction of anger, laughter, or sympathy, and any dope can grab one and post some prefabricated idea that they had nothing to do with writing or thinking up. Very few people take the time to post something from their own thought process, and ask what anyone thinks. Instead there is the "Honk if you love Jesus" procedure of saying, "Follow me people..Just don't think, follow". I get increasingly annoyed at just how lazy this makes us as people because there is no true thought process for doing this. This doesn't mean that these people are dumb. But it does mean that the action is. The result is the mindless agreement of people who roll with the slogan, or bumper sticker, and of course the inevitable confrontations of people who don't. Setting the stage for butting heads with just clicking a mouse on "share". I am not condemning everyone, because in between the cracks there are some wonderful people who provoke thought and present very interesting things within their posts, such as News articles on things not really known, or particular poetic quotes, or books to read, or wonderful pictures of their families, trips and nature. But those folks are getting to be fewer and fewer, as the bumper sticker mentality takes over. Perhaps it's OK to do some of those once in awhile for fun, but there are segments of people who do nothing BUT that. And those seem to be from the people who have the most to say, but take the least amount of effort to say it. Whether it's a time issue, or laziness issue is not the point. I want people to know my thoughts if I put them out there. NOT thoughts of somebody else with me saying "Yeah that's what I think too!" over their shoulder.
I respect different opinions, and I love to discuss (mostly in person) differences with people because that is the only way to grow and learn. Anyone who knows me personally knows this. And even if we agree to disagree, at least there was the mutual exchange of personal thoughts. Not some idiotic mindless slogan.designed by some twisted Hallmark factory. Whether it be politics, relationships, thoughts on human behavior, or society, why not post YOUR thoughts clearly, intelligently, or humorously, but make them YOURS. I stay away purposefully from hotbed topics on Facebook because people do not discuss anything. They shout, call names, and post these stupid slogans to fire up whomever is with them. We people should be more intelligent than that, and I certainly would partake in discussions more on Facebook if people initiated them with some substance. That is what would create that fantasy land that I was envisioning. people learning, and growing, and connecting with ideas that could make us all better. Instead this turned out to be a cyber world of sheep, copycats, and share whores who don't want to write and discuss their own thoughts just because it's easier than thinking and fleshing out thoughts before writing them.
Am I being brutal? Probably not as much as I want, because I toned this down somewhat. I'm getting tired, and more tired of seeing people behave dumber in a society that is not helping except in the loss of "common sense of interaction" department. If people want to be pissed at me for that then so be it. If stating the truth is going to piss people off, then 2013 is going to be my year to lose quite a few "friends". So "Honk if you have nothing to say" all you want. I may not be on your page to hear it.
