"Now That's a Facebook Status"

I've written once before about the love-hate relationship I, as well as many other people, have with today's use and misuse of social media.  While social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have become very convenient mediums for maintaining contact with friends and family as well as successful mediums for marketing endeavors, it seems that the very purpose of social networking has gotten a little out of hand. 

It becomes difficult to personally justify such claims because I am just as guilty as succumbing to the power of Facebook and Twitter in updating daily statuses or tweets, numerous pictures during an afternoon or night out with friends, and even the muliple selifies--often at different angles. We've all done it. 

If I ever get to the point where I start posting stories (hello??? That's what my blog is for... A bit ironic that I publicize them on Faceook and Twitter...) or long-winded venting sessions on Facebook, or if my status is updated ten times a day, please do me the kind favor of calling me out and tell me to get a life.  Seriously. 

There was a time when I deactivated my Facebook account for about 6 months.  And for awhile, life was awesome! Drama free, simple, and void of social media to suck up my personal time. 

That's when I jumped on the Twitter bandwagon, and while I initially thought it was ridiculous (like, really... why does anyone care about trivial passing thoughts or what you're doing at a specific moment?), my justification for becoming a tweeter was so I could follow my favorite country artists and celebrities.

Newflash.  It wasn't long until I was succumbed by its power and I also began my own tweeting frenzy, and sure enough, I also reactivated my Facebook account.  And even today, after sending off a thought or a picture in the world of cyberspace, my subconcsious still asks why the hell I even bother. 

It's like an addiciton I suppose.  Aside from the legitimate use for marketing or public relations endeavors, for instance, we all must know (c'mon, at least deep down??) that it's bad for us.  (Do a majority of our kids even play outside anymore?)

I mean, what's the alternative point of posting a status other than an invitation to "like", reply with comments, and/or engage in a heated discussion?  Is it a cry for attention?  Do we all wait in anticipation to see who might respond or who will say what?  How do we even appraise a "legitimate", a "good" or "bad" status?

That's why I always feel like I am in a stagnant, back-and-forth battle whenever there is a debate or discussion regarding social media (I mean, is there ever really a winner in the argument?)

So just the other night when I was at my Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner, the inevitable topic of social media came up.  Of course Grandma was not shy to discuss her serious aversion toward Facebook.  Grandpa always concurs, this time shaking his head in agreement as he was busy devouring the delicious salmon he cooked for dinner. 

So for the sake of argument, I made a fair claim regarding the legitimate use of social media:

"I agree wholeheartedly with your aversion toward social media, Grandma.  I really do.  And even I admit that I get sucked in to it's power just like everyone else.  Why I keep doing it?  Who knows... But consider its convenience and significance in today's society. It's the way the world goes round now.  How do you argue for the fact that social media is essentially the primary means for a company's marketing and public relations endeavors?" 

Unless you know my Grandma's quirky personality, you can not understand the hilariousness of her response.  With a slight pause and fork in hand, ready to eat her last bit of salmon, she rebuttled:

"Well, I'd rather just go out in the woods and build a teepee.  Nobody knows how to read a smoke signal anymore either."

Grandma, now looking slightly upward and to the left while pondering her next statement, takes that last bite of salmon...

"I always wanted to be an indian." 

The fact that she didn't even answer my question didn't matter because what transpired was just too adorable. I, amused as hell, responded to her:

"Grandma, now THAT's a Facebook status!"

This is just one of the numerous reasons why I adore my grandparents.  Moral of the story?  While some people may call social media illegitimate or a time-waster, no matter how trivial or irrelevant said topic may be, there are some things that are absolutely worthy of a Facebook post. 

Happy Hump Day.

~ Elizabeth