I have been on Facebook for a few months now. I have managed to reconnect with a childhood friend and a few past colleagues. The biggest annoyance I have found on there to this point are the political misinformation posts from both sides of the aisle. I had hoped the political vitriol would have calmed down by now, but, if anything it seems to be getting worse.
At least, anyone who has a brain and the ability to use it can recognize that political garbage from the extremes of both sides for what it is. But there is something far more insidious going on. I came across a link to a piece by David Budge regarding some of the recent posts I had seen lately in huge numbers. The posts are a scam and David Budge explains how "like farming" works in his piece here.
This hit home for me as I have been one to hit the like/share buttons on a few things--especially the cancer ones. Having been accused more than once of making everything up about Sandi, I take cancer scam stuff very seriously. The fact that I inadvertently may have been part of the problem by hitting like/share on cancer postings on Facebook seriously annoys me.
Before you do the like/share thing there, you should read the piece by freelance journalist David Budge in the Calgary Herald. It is quite the eye opener.
Facebook seems to bring out a lot of people's inner asshole. On some occasions, I've been forced to un-friend people, not because I can't argue my position on something but because I have better things to do with my time than listening to ignorant idiots. Like listening to a lunatic inside of a box.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, as much as Facebook can help people get closer, over time I've gotten more and more careful over the stuff I post and share there. I had the feeling that some of that stuff might have something to do with what the article is talking about, but it's nice to see that theory confirmed.
Yea, I've liked a few of those myself. Never considered what might come next.
ReplyDeleteI dropped some folks during the campaign because they were unreasonable and so over the top with personal attacks that I just couldn't deal anymore with their bs. I saw some sides of folks (and still do for that matter) that I could have done very well without as it changed how I perceive them.
ReplyDeleteI never have either, Randy. I will be thinking about it now before I hit like/share.
ReplyDeleteKevin, I am glad you posted the link to that Budge article. I am guilty of falling for many of them, although even I know some are scams.
ReplyDeleteYou and Sand and the boys are in my thoughts.
And yes, I changed the way I view someone I thought was a close friend because of the way she acted over the election. Now she's a friendly acquaintance on whom I no longer depend. Makes me sad to learn I thought she was a friend when she was not.
Thank you, Caroline. It has been hard.
ReplyDeleteWe lost some friends when I got sick and then Sandi got cancer. It was like we were contagious or something. The election stuff changed how I view several folks. I am fine with disagreement. But, hysterical disagreement is just nonsense.