Dear Facebook,
It occurred to me the other day that we have been in a relationship since 2008.
17 years?!
When dear Mr. Zuckerberg decided to expand your presence from the college community to everyone, I was excited. I think most people were.
We experienced the joy of reconnecting with old friends, neighbors, and others as we eagerly grew our friend lists and caught up on the many years that had passed. I sometimes wonder why I allow someone to whom I barely spoke in high school ruffle my feathers, but it occasionally happens.
High school. Yep. I’d like to think I have greatly evolved since then. I think a lot of folks have not. I love several of my high school and grade school friends, but my post-high school life has definitely not revolved around high school.
As a friend recently put it when talking about the political divisions in our country: “I really don’t care what that person I occasionally ate lunch with in high school thinks about my political leanings.”
And speaking of politics, I stand by my opinion that you, dear Facebook, and your creator have given us a tool that, when used unwisely, has greatly contributed to this division. I hang my head in total shame that I have contributed to this.
We no longer send Christmas cards. Why would we? Everyone knows what we are eating, where we are traveling, and what our kids are up to.
You have allowed us to avoid decorum, as we hide behind our screens and fire off posts that all of our followers can see: Pastors and former pastors, former and current students… well, ALL of our Facebook friends.
Do we not know how to SPEAK to each other anymore?
What other problems have you caused?
Where do I start?
Significant others’ chats with other women. What someone I barely know ate for dinner. Braggarts who are my age who seem to be crying for validation of some sort (which makes me sad). Women who feel compelled to take photos of their legs while soaking in the tub. Yes, I am not into those “Hey, look at me!” posts.
Look. I have nice legs, but I will NOT subject you to my bathtub pics. In fact, my phone does not go with me into the tub.
Are we living to take FB pics?
Thanks for offering me the option of snoozing people.
At any given time I have a small number of friends snoozing in their little cyber hammocks. I’m sure I am napping in a few peoples’ hammocks, too.
What else drives me crazy?
Political posts!
I’ll admit I have waded into the waters in some of those random groups that you allow into my feed as suggested groups to follow. My commenting feels anonymous, yet I know friends can see my words if that post finds its way into their feeds.
What positive things have you given me?
Reconnecting with former neighbors, college friends, and yes, high school friends. Being able to share my children’s accomplishments–of which I am quite proud–and select photos of my grandchildren. Sharing my writing and yoga classes and other events I have created or helped create. Seeing former classmates’ and neighbors’ successes and families. Being able to support and pray for people who are going through trials or loss.
I long for the days of Walter Cronkite, limited news outlets, and NO social media. I’ve told numerous people that if your uber wealthy founder, one Mark Zuckerberg, were to shut you down today, I’d throw a party… a HUGE one. Many people would be in therapy the rest of their lives.
Not me.
Call me old fashioned or analog, but I long for the days of landlines, newspaper reading, no social media, and PEACE.
Facebook, we may break up yet.
For now, though, my dear and not so dear friend, we remain in relationship.
God help us.
Amy Walton is a yoga and breath work teacher, corporate trainer, and Christian writer who longs for days of yore when it comes to technology. She stills checks and replies to email several times a day, so feel free to reach out to her at amywaltoncoaching@gmail.com.
