Freedom of Facebooking

Facebookers have matured over time. Thankfully the narcissistic @work/@home statuses and futile poking applications are on the verge of extinction. I read a post by a Facebook Product Manager that said people have four primary reasons for updating their status: to shape how others perceive them, to maintain and grow relationships, to share content that others might find valuable, to source information. However, unemployed and nothing better to do, here is my impression of how people utilize freedom of speech on the Facebook social space.

The wise post long phrases, from songs, poems or their own musings. They are not bothered whether the monologue makes any sense or adds any value to the community whose walls it will populate. So it is okay if no one likes or comments, they keep on posting their lengthy philosophies of the day.

Then there are those whose cryptic status will invoke mystery in the reader. I can appreciate that not all statuses are meant for everybody, but I am confused whether it would be invading privacy to ask or rude not to ask anything when a friend just says he/she is upset or goes dot dot dot.

The nosy ones seldom have their own status updates, but they are always there with their timely likes and perfunctory wishes. They are true believers of knowledge is power.

The lazy ones keep on 'like'-ing, which could cover 'well said' to 'funny'. Facebook does not have a 'noted' or 'ditto' option, so do not be surprised when you get a like on a question or a sad news or on those mysterious dots. But some even go as far as liking their own status! I

The introvert-pretenders keep their accounts active but never communicate. For their friends, it is as good as them not having an account. Its is like that aunt who calls you up and hangs up the phone as soon as her prying questions end. It is equally annoying when someone has two accounts, and you do not which one to tag or invite. That's a price the community pays for a free service.

The spotlight seekers put up intimate feelings on their statuses. Many of them do not realize that they would never declare their love for their spouse in front of a 280 people gathering. Sure you love your spouse and child and mother. Perhaps the best way to let them know is to tell them face to face or maybe post on just their walls. Such a status compels the courteous friends to come up with equally coy responses, and these statuses become hit items.

The gullible hope copy pasting a sentimental status or clicking to join a cause makes a difference. I fear they do not often check out the details of the cause they are supporting. A quick search by a responsible netizen would break many a spam and hoax chain. I say, Google before you speak! It feels good to be making a difference and this is as easy as it gets. But to what end? Out here, it is not the thought that counts.

Many of these come together on special occasions like Eid or a cricket match win. Its customary but at the same time pretty boring when everyone is saying the same thing in as many words. When a thing has been said and well said, have no scruple; simply like it!

Creative people find uses that general people do not. Some use tagging to not only mark you in a photo but to make sure you do not miss any of their uploads. So if you do not want notifications for all the comments on their photo, give a little effort and remove your tag. Some use peculiar aliases and profile pictures, which by the way are meant to reflect their identity. Others use your friend list to broaden their social circle. Facebook should make a personal message for friend request mandatory, it will often help the receiver to identify a friend request.

Busy-bees, that's a vast majority, do not bother to check out any article or note shared by their learned friends. While facebooking is a leisure activity, it has tremendous potential as a information sharing tool. As for the sharer, it would perhaps help to have the content or at least the topic summarized in the 'say something' box. I recommend this for shared videos too, whose titles are mostly inane. Facebook here could make it easier to comment on a link that has opened in a new window. Another confusion arises when one shares an article with a disapproving note and a friend likes it. Facebook notification will say that your friend likes the link but it may as well be your criticism that has hit home.

There are of course no rules and guidelines to facebook usage. But we could do well to remember it is a social space, just like any other gathering where you go to have fun but at the same time try to be civil and engage in a healthy conversation. I fall back on the age old maxim - do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you.