If there’s any lesson I’ve learned in life it’s that you’re welcome to hold any opinion you want as long as it’s well-known that it agrees with everyone else’s. I find being around people draining, which is why it’s so odd I’ve spent so much time on social media. I’m increasingly turning into the least social person I know. And I’m OK with that.
I’ve been uneasy with Facebook for a long time. I resisted getting on it in the first place. While I’ve been able to reconnect (and, in some cases, connect) with people I genuinely like, the cost has been high. I’m not going to go into any detail here, but this morning I expressed an opinion that proved to be wildly unpopular. I’ve never been good at saying what people want to hear.
Not my writing style.
Craig Ferguson has a bit he does that I think is dead on. He says that before he says anything he asks three questions:
- Does this need to be said?
- Does this need to be said by me?
- Does this need to be said by me right now?
I’m not sure which of these I did wrong this morning. Number 3, I think. Maybe #2, but I’m leaning towards #3. The point here is that I got up on a beautiful (if a little sticky) Friday morning and immediately managed to piss people off and, in turn, get pissed off myself. I don’t need this shit. No one does. I’ve got work to do.
I’ve deactivated my Facebook account. For my own sanity. If I feel like I have something I want to say I have a perfectly good place to say it right here. I don’t have to worry about accidently harshing the mellow of those with delicate mellows who might be exposed to a contrary opinion through the vaguaries of Mark Zuckerberg’s latest timeline algorithm. No one’s going to accidentally stumble on something here. You come here and you get what you pay for. Don’t like it? Don’t come here. The other side of it is that it’s not as quick to write things here as on Facebook. There are many more chances to heed Craig Ferguson’s wise counsel. I can have opinions and the world can easily ignore them. Which is how it should be. Everyone seems to be happier.
Like I said, I’ve got work to do.
I’m especially bummed because you won’t be in Where’s the Middle? anymore
Lately I have been posting my opinions on Twitter. I just prefer it, because only a few of my friends are on it. I can then do it somewhat anonymously. Please note though that there is nothing in life like being trolled by vile, anti-Semitic misogynists on twitter.
However one thing about FB and this election: I have seen the deep, dark soul of some friends who I presumed were good, decent people. I thought the election of 2008 told me all that ,…wrong. The Trumpenstein has brought even more crap to the surface. It is sad that I will never see them the same way again, and that for the first time in my life I am considering ending friendships based on who you support. That is all.
I *am* voting for Hillary. Really :-)!
well, I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure it was something quite accurate that your conservative friends don’t want to hear. :) Eventually leaning left will come into vogue again and then we will be popular.
I was accused of being paternalistic.
Isn’t that what all lefties are? we want to take care of everyone?….as if that is a bad thing ;)
To Claire above…I guess I was just lucky. My over the top right leaning friends & family just deleted me from FB so I don’t get to see all the hate.