My Love/Hate Relationship with Facebook
I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook.
I was a late-comer to the phenomenon. For a long time I didn’t seen the point of virtual relationships and therefore resisted signing up for years. When I did sign up I was pleasantly surprised by the possibilities that Facebook provided. There are not many days, except when I am away on holiday, that I do not check into Facebook to see what is going on there.
I love the sense of community, the entry into the lives of my friends, the sense of connection across time and space. For many people but particularly, I think, for people who are self-employed and don’t get out too much in the working day, Facebook creates a very important and powerful space for coming together, sharing and caring.
BUT, or perhaps that should be AND, I hate the narcissism, the small-mindedness, the small-worldedness and the competition that develops. I hate the boredom that ensues when endless photographs of lattes/lunches/smoothies/paleo meals (whatever those are) are posted. I find the ‘look at my life, isn’t it perfect?’ posts nauseating beyond description.
Which is why I was so delighted to happen upon (via Facebook, of course) this fabulous post which so perfectly captured my irritation with how the network is used.
The “7 ways to be insufferable on Facebook,” sum up my feelings perfectly.
Yet I continue to have a morbid fascination that makes me keep looking at it, despite the irritation, revulsion and – sometimes- horror it can make me feel. It is rather like a bad car crash – I know I shouldn’t look at it (don’t even want to) as I go past, but somehow I can’t help myself.
Because I also know that there is a lot of good in Facebook.
I guess it is just another opportunity for me to practice one of my oft-used statements: take what works for you and leave the rest behind.
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Tags: coach | community | Facebook | love/hate relationship | narcissism | take what works
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