Face-less

         I don't have a Facebook page. Taking into consideration that I’m supposed to be a “normal” teenager, it may come as a shock to most, but it's true. It isn’t that I’m completely against the internet and the special programs on it – I mean, you wouldn’t see me marching outside of Facebook headquarters, waving a massive wooden sign, and trying to force others to join my “boycott Facebook” cult. I just don’t understand those supposedly “social” sites. I had a Facebook page before, but was hardly online to begin with. When I was online, I’d sign in to simply comment on a silly photo or be disappointed by no messages from my 80 so-called “friends”. The thing is: you don't have real friends through Facebook. You don't keep real relationships by simply commenting on someone’s status or sending cute little buttons. You need to talk about more than a wild haircut or your trip to the beach that went wrong. By having these “Facebook friends”, do you know what makes them laugh when they're down? Do you know if they talk with their hands or squeak when they talk? Do you know what not to do around them because it's annoying in their eyes?

         My first point: You don't make friends through Facebook; you make acquaintances. Let's face it, people talk about the most irrelevant/boring things on Facebook, it can make you dizzy. “So-and-so...is eating a taco”, “...loves her friends”, “...has to fix a light bulb in his room”. If you were sitting in front of this person, would they be saying what their status says? Unless they’re completely self-absorbed, your answer would be “no”. Also, you become so wrapped up in posting the best picture of yourself, trying to think of the catchiest status, “poking” people for no good reason whatsoever, and commenting on whatever there is to comment on, that you don't even ask your best friend how they're doing anymore. Not that it's your fault you don't ask. You don't ask because you don't have to.
         This brings me to my second point: You make stalker relationships through Facebook.
         Picture this: you look at the latest pictures of a friend you met at camp last summer, read her status and wall, and scan through all the comments on her pictures. What did you find out about your pal? Well, judging by the pictures, she came back from Yosemite National Park yesterday, had her braces removed since you last saw her, gets along with little kids, and likes green Popsicles. Now, those were the pictures. From her wall, you read that your friend was carsick for most of the drive to Yosemite, was attacked by a ferocious bee while eating her Popsicle, and went with several other families from her school, all claiming they had a great time and that they want to do it again next year. (I could go on with what information you can find, but I'll stop right there.)
          You just found out all these facts about your friend without even speaking to the girl. She doesn't even know that you were reading about her! Doesn't that seem a little stalker-ish to you?
          My third point: Facebook is an antisocial network. All you need to make a friend on Facebook is their name. That's it! Then, you hit a button to send your "friend request" and you're good to go. Phew! Almost broke a sweat for a second.
         It's becoming harder and harder for kids (and adults) to actually WALK up to someone and use the vocal cords that God gave them to say "hi." Why? Because they spend all day on the computer sending impersonalized friend requests to strangers who accept the request and become their best friend in a millisecond. Sadly, it's not like that in the real world.
         Take a Facebook user (and I'm talking a 100% FACEBOOK user - the guy’s only away from the computer to use the bathroom. So you readers can picture it, he loves the site so much he wears a wrinkled Facebook T-shirt, his hair is in a mess of tangles on his head, he hasn't taken a shower in a couple of days, has stubble on his face from not shaving, and his eyes are blood-shot.) Now, plop him in a room full of people. What do you think his reaction will be? Well, in my imagination, he'll shrink into a corner with his BO, not knowing what to do.
         So, this is my view of, not only Facebook, but MySpace, twitter, and whatever other social networks are out there. Now, I’m not saying that the sites can’t be used to our advantage in business, advertising, etc. It’s just overused as our life source. Is it really necessary? Hopefully, by sharing what I’ve found, you’ll glance at your “virtual life” with new eyes of reproach. Perhaps, you’ll look upon a life of fresh air, laughter, and real fellowship – the life God has given you – with a thankful countenance. And who knows, you may even choose to be “Face-less”.