Tuesday 3 December 2013

cliché rant to end the silence

Many times before,
between my last post and now,
I've picked up a pen and stared at a blank sheet of paper
(Read picked up my phone and stared at a blank screen)
And willed my creativity to express in words the deep thoughts within me.

But as the lack of posts suggests, it didn't happen.

It is somewhat sad then that my silence is to be broken by a cliché rant, but some expression is better than none?

I'm beginning to dislike... no... hate, facebook.

My reasoning is simple. You see, providing your friends and family (and the occasional attractive stranger?) With a platform from which they can view at least the highlights of your life comes a certain degree of expectation.

Particularly in my case where your audience is "back home" and eager to keep in touch with the loved one "abroad".

Meeting this expectation is beginning to drain me.

I felt obliged, for example to post a status on my recent completion of my MSc (shameless plug).

I can hear the protest of the skeptic reader who thinks that no one or nothing can oblige you to post on Facebook.

But I must defend myself,  for this is a case whereby silence (the lack of a post) leads to speculation which, for any person who is honest enough to admit that what people think about you sometimes does matter, is a dangerous thing.

Did she not pass? Imagine,  her parents spent all that money! No wonder she hasn't come back yet...

I thought you had a new boyfriend,  no pictures of you two? Maybe she made him up. Is there something wrong with him? 

What do you mean you're deleting your account?  What are you hiding?

You see, a Facebook account comes with the expectation that you will bare to your loved ones at least some part of you.

Not so much as to be "airing your dirty laundry in public", but just enough to quell any misguided assumptions based on your silence.

And that is why I'm starting to dislike... no... hate Facebook.