I found this rather interesting graphic that suggested a challenge I am imposing on myself: I’m going to try and turn the page on my use of FaceBook for a while. It’s sort of the anchorite in the desert thing except no voice from above told me to do it – rather a voice from within that suggested enough was indeed enough.
In one of the rare moments when the stars align and send a message I found myself involved in a Facebook “discussion” that was as foolish as it was futile, being inundated with unsavoury and unresearched memes and claims, righteous indignation on a particularly innocuous subject, a revealing report on my “screen time” and the little icon at the left in the picture below.
I hadn’t signed in to Facebook first thing in the morning the way I normally do and suddenly an FB Icon appeared with an alarm clock. Now I had not asked to be notified by the good people at FB so it was obviously based on my visiting patterns. And as I found out there is no way to remove it until the system decides to do it – again based on patterns.
Though as an application Facebook has reconnected me with neighbours and acquaintances from the past, kept me in touch with friends, and introduced me to new people I have also allowed it to engender anger and frustration. And notice I said “I have allowed it” so the fault is entirely mine.
It has broadened my world in many ways but it has also narrowed it in others. As much as I love my American friends and I understand their point of view there are things other than the situation in the US; as much as I care deeply for my British/European friends there is more than Brexit, as painful as it is, happening in the world; and as for Canada I sometimes wonder why people still live here since things are so bad? And I don’t mean the weather.
Perhaps if there were a way to expunge the political from feeds and leave only the cute kitty, adorable dog, silly memes, recipes (and their results), birthdays, or family photos/events I would be happier. Yes I know a very narrow view of the world but surely that’s what it was originally intended for – to keep up to date with people. Perhaps even foolishly just to see a picture of what they had for lunch!
In any event we will see how I make out on this challenge. I have an addictive personality and have been known to backslide – at times all the way to the bottom of the hill. Meanwhile I will be posting on here, I have an email address and two telephone lines – yes I still have a landline. So I won’t exactly be out of touch with people.
On this day in 1790: The first boat specializing as a lifeboat is tested on the River Tyne.
Willy Or Won't He 
Some years ago I wanted to close my account and could not because I did not remember the password I used…. I like the way you explained why you wanted to have a break , I agree with your arguments !what is great now is to be able to read you in my mail !All the best Willym !
Who’s bitching about how bad things are in Canada? That person needs a good kick in the ass. Sheesh. We are among the most fortunate people on the face of the earth.
I couldn’t agree more but there is a segment of the population out there who tell us that we are being led to rack and ruin and democracy as they see it is lost – particularly with a teen-aged drama teacher in charge and allowing the country to be overrun by…. etc etc etc etc… the one thing is that they are all “proud”….
You do know where our friends at Ontario Proud get their funding, hrm?
https://www.canadalandshow.com/ontario-proud-mostly-funded-by-developers/
Good luck in breaking free. If you think Facebook will let you out of its clutches easily you might be in for a surprise.
Oh . . . THOSE fuckers. Emboldened by Trump’s success to crawl out from under their rocks. Let’s hope Canadians are smart enough to send them scurrying back.
I have the same feelings as you about Facebook. I would have disconnected from it long ago except that it’s a major source for me to get my blog to friends and family (who for a variety of reasons can’t seem to follow the blog independently). In the past I got into a couple of minor “discussions” that were simply a waste of time and energy. So now I unfriend or block anyone whose political and social views and “shares” offend me. I figure that’s my right. I really dislike Facebook corporate and guess I’ll finally have had enough one of these days.
I hope you not only make it but find it so rewarding that you stick with it!
I’m not on facebook much but I have gotten into discussions – yeah, discussions – online that left me wondering whether it was a healthy activity at all. I have cut back on how much I engage on political, social, economic, and religious issues online.
Of course, virtually anything said online can manage to get people going, but I’m not blaming anyone but myself. I’ve stepped away.