Facebook brings out the worst in people
Hello Facebook users of the world. I’d like to welcome you to my hub today where I’m going to speak my mind about everyone’s favorite little social networking site. First off, I am not a member of the Facebook community. I just don’t see the need for it, personally. This hub is not going to be an indictment on all Facebook users as I can see value in the site. My wife loves it and checks it everyday so if I generalize everybody on there she’ll most likely make me sleep on the couch for a few days. It is because of her that I have read plenty of status updates and she’s always willing to notify me of the most ridiculous of all status’. Because of that experience, I am using this space to hopefully make the type of users I’m describing do a much needed self assessment. You’ll thank me afterwards.
Let’s begin with the most annoying Facebook personality, the attention seeker. You have a ton of these friends and you know exactly who they are. These are the types who always leave status’ that are just begging for a reaction whether its praise, agreement, well wishes, concern or any other type of communication. Basically, they have a need to be loved and they’ll stop at nothing to get it. These are the types who go on vacation and brag about how great everything they are doing is, ex “Sitting by the pool in Las Vegas drinking a margarita. My life is so good.” Or the people who get injured and feel the need to weave it into every status update. “I’m going to the grocery store today. Not gonna be easy with my sore ribs.” And the worst of all are the people who will ask for a response without even attempting to dance around it. “Going through a rough patch at home lately. Sure could use some good friends right now.” Frankly, if you had good friends you’d be talking to them or texting them and not pleading for attention from a mixture of friends, acquaintances and co-workers.
The attention seekers are a group of users that run rampant on Facebook and they are one of the main reasons that social networking has become so popular. They are also one of the reasons why I am not a part of this social network. I know plenty of people who would fall into the attention seeker category and being able to avoid their mindless endeavors to attract attention is a motivating factor in my refusal to join. So for those of you who fall into this category please, please, try to take it down a notch. Most of your “friends” don’t care and are probably laughing at you right now.
Another group who I have come to despise is the Facebook philosophers. Once again, everybody has plenty of these friends and you probably ignore most of what they say. If you don’t ignore them then you need to start immediately or risk potential damage to your medulla oblongata. What drives a person to concoct one of these hair-brained, nonsensical pseudo-philosophical rants? Most of the time these are childish over-reactions to an issue between a person and their significant other and despite the attempted generalization of the subject matter it is still obvious. Just because you use the term “people” does not do anything to hide the fact that you’re referring to your wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend.
What’s even better is when our Facebook philosopher decides to delve into something that is completely out of their league. Life advice is abundant on Facebook so use caution when reading because some of the ridiculousness may actually seep into your subconscious. Plato and Socrates and the other great philosophers in the world’s history are currently being spit on by these people. Next time you sit down at your computer and plan to write a philosophical statement for your friends on Facebook ask yourself this question, “will they really, deeply care about what I’m thinking?” Since the answer will always be no, simply type “sitting at home on Facebook” as your status and move forward.
The last type of user that we’re going to look at it is the serial poster. These are the people who are not just on Facebook all the time but they are the users that feel compelled to update their status constantly. These people also tend to refer to their friends collectively as “Facebook” or “FB.” In severe cases these people will actually say good morning and good night to “Facebook.” If you ever come to a point where you start saying good morning and good night to a website then you should drive to the nearest Psych ward and check yourself in for a weekend.
Serial posters are also responsible for flooding your updates page with useless comments and mindless observations. “Just got back from walking the dog.” Oh really? Wow, that must have been great. It’s very interesting to know what a person that I haven’t seen in over 12 years and barely had any sort of relationship with in the first place is doing on an hourly basis. It’s this type of Facebook member that may be the biggest contributing factor for me not wanting to sign up. I don’t even really care what my closest friends are doing every day let alone a random high school acquaintance.
So if you fall into any of the categories listed above then you might need to take a few minutes and reflect one what you’ve become. Maybe you’ll need to seek help from a professional or maybe you should just take a week and stay away from the site and use that time to take a walk or watch a movie. Facebook can be a drug for some members and for others it can feel like a bad trip. Use with caution and try to help your friends who have become unbearable. Good luck.
 | Amazon Price: $199.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.01 List Price: $0.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $14.99 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $0.01 List Price: $6.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $99.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $79.00 |
Comments
Not hating on Facebook just giving a few types of users that keep me away.
i don't get why observations about peoples behavior is some how considered as adequate criticism? It just is what it is, if state your observations in a patronizing tone its still just an observation. Your rant is not much more than extended status update.
Well, the problem with that line of logic JJ is that he's not criticizing the users directly, but pointing out reasons he's not joining Facebook. His observations are that, observations, but he's using them to build his argument. His argument is rather sound: He won't join the site because he has zero interest in dealing with the same people his wife has to. If you watch your friend, lover, parent, or child go through mind numbing problems daily, would you join the same group that subjects them to that sort of problem? And how would you describe to a stranger to problems your reason for avoiding the group?
His criticism is not on the the people he's using a patronizing tone with, it's built on that fact. It's a low level writing course sort of concept: build up your argument to prove your thesis.
Thankfully as a split personality I can be all three
I have met all three types and I have found a simple way to deal with them but I cannot tell you how or they might find me out
The more I think about it the more I have to disagree with you. You are quite right, these types of people are on Facebook but they are not exclusive to Facebook - they are everywhere. They are in bars and clubs. They are in shops and on the street. Wherever you find people, you will find these types. You are going to have to go a long way to avoid them
But the beauty of that is I can avoid these people on Facebook. The bigger point I was trying to make is that most of these offenders act differently in person than they do online.
intresting post...although i have to disagree. your post firstly sounds like a hugge facebook status rant...secondly ur blog is no different from facebook buddy unless u make it private. and thirdly why u so bothered? its bad for ur health! just relax chill and dont let such meaningless websites get to you...cuz at the end of the day we all have lives outside facebook...its just fun.
Priceless! A 'blog' ditching social network 'blogging'... surrounded by adverts for Social Networks! My best laugh all day. :-)
The fact that you've taken the time to write in such detail about 'statuses' is perhaps even more pathetic than writing them :)
Good article. And I disagreet that it compares with posting on facebook. I got his opinion but was spared the banal details about his work, hobbies, or dirty laundry. Thanks.
Another type of attention seeker is the undercover attention seeker. They are not so blatant with their status updates but desire the same reaction from people. Examples are people who constantly put up news articels, pictures or music videos just to get a "like" or comment. And to try to establish themselves as in the know about whatever media they are posting about at the moment.
Thanks be to the OP for taking time and effort to share with us his ascendant philosophy about Facebook users and the like. I'm sure he has done Plato and Socrates proud, unlike those other pretend philosophers on Facebook. :)
As to the criticism of people who seek attention, I wonder if we are not all to a certain extent like that. Only question really is how successful we are at concealing it. And really, for what other purpose would you post a status update than to get the attention of the people for whom the update was posted? So anyone who posts an update is by definition an attention seeker, unless it be that he/she has no one on his/her list, ain't it? :)
"But the beauty of that is I can avoid these people on Facebook. The bigger point I was trying to make is that most of these offenders act differently in person than they do online."
Well, if comprehension be still my friend, I do not think this "bigger" point was made at all in your original post. I would call it then an addendum to your post.
Looking at the title of your post once more: "Facebook brings out the worst in people", I tend to agree ... I think it brings out some really judgmental and supercilious behaviors in people. Then again ... this is probably not unique to Facebook. Any medium that allows someone to express himself/herself will have the potential to bring out this behavior e.g. film critics who believe their opinions are so much more superior and sublime compared to those of the unwashed masses of movie-goers.
Funny reading all the comments from facebook fan boys who will no doubt defend facebook to the death. Thank you, I thought I was the only one who despised facebook, it is really like an epidemic, but people are so brainwashed by the social networking FAD that they don't even realize they are falling right into a trap. It is pretty sad actually, I hope this social networking fad dies down because honestly I think it can do some real damage among the real world.
It seriously has to stop.
Most people don't even know that twitter was created for the sole purpose of being a mass marketing tool for companies. They think OMG OMG Twitter, but in reality they are being hearded right to the slaughter house welcoming the brainwashing with open arms to inept to realize what the bigger picture is.
love your article. and i love your point. exactly what i think about facebook..
I'm glad I'm not alone. I wonder, what are you accomplishing by spending hours on facebook, maybe it would be more beneficial to go work out, take a walk or something that is actually constructive and is going to accomplish something in your life. I lasted a few weeks and thought facebook was the most pathetic venue for attention seekers! I ran as fast as I could from this black hole.
People seem to need attention and look for some response to the most stupid thought they are thinking in that 5 minutes of their day which goes on all day. I’ve noticed people so glued to this site for any response they have it streaming on their phones, which they look at driving, eating, in public places and at work. What the hell is so important! Oh someone responded and made a comment, you don’t want to be left out or you need that fix of acceptance when someone comments on anything that you post. How sad is that? Well maybe I should say how pathetic!
Let me let you in on a secret; no one cares what you are thinking or where you are on your way to. Boo f*&**%%% who, you were rejected by the opposite sex. You look pathetic collecting friends, and no one thinks your kid is cute but you! Most likely if you are spending that much time social networking your gut is hanging over your pants. Maybe the next time all of you facebook addicts are spilling your guts (which by the way, no one really cares) look down at yourself and see if you could lose a few pounds, look around and see if your car, house, yard, etc is a mess because you would rather sit on a site looking for attention. Ask yourself “how this time spent on social networking improving my life”. Are you becoming more educated? Are you healthier? Are you improving yourself in any way whatsoever?
Try seeking some professional help to see why you feel the need for constant acceptance.
i dont get when people say facebook people are like real people, thats just stupid...first of all besides all its cons facebook is a waste of time..and second of all everything on facebook is as the internet is cybernetic, 0.1 percent of people use facebook to ''really'' an old ''friend'' and im talking about thenword friend. i dont think i should tell people what to do what they should be more councious of what they are doing. thankyou guys :)
I might be the only person that I know that actually uses Facebook to talk to my real friends. Yes, I talk to them outside of Facebook too, but it's just easier to pop into Facebook and leave them a message sometimes then it is to get them on the phone.
I don't have anyone on my friends list that I don't know, nor do I have anyone on my friends list that I am not already friends with and have met in real life - not just on the internet.
I actually know exactly what you are talking about with this article. I laughed as I read through some of it because I have 1 or 2 friends that are attention seekers and have some that post "Night, night Facebook" all the time. OMG! Hilarious!
I actually have pretty much become inactive on my personal Facebook pg and just use MyPage5 now. Anyway, I really enjoyed this article.
First of all let me start by saying, i use facebook mainly to coordinate events, be in touch with my friends that i can't meet in person and to share pics. I probably have changed my fb status a grand total of about 10 times for the past 3 years. So i hope my thoughts will be credible as a person who's not in any extreme.
However i must say this. I like posting my thoughts on various subjects; be it a youtube video or a blog post. because its a fun way to kill time.
This article mainly (perhaps ONLY) talks about people who make use of facebook statuses. i just think it's a little hypocritical (and funny) to diss facebook statuses on a friggin blog. think about it, it's only the site thats different. you're doing the same thing as the facebook psychos you're talking about. only difference is yours is longer. and targets a broader audience than just your friends. Any1 who maintains a blog falls in to 1 of ur 3 categories in some level. because at the end of the day you're just expressing what you think.
A good point about your article is it's controversial nature. that way, u even get alot of comments on your blog from people who support AND oppose your views. great way to get attention too.
This actually made me lol which doesn't happen too often but I love your writing style.
This is 100% on the money. Facebook is for attention whores and people that feel the need to show everyone how cool they are.
Well, I loved your post! I thought it was very interesting and humorous. What you said in this post is sooo much like what my boyfriend says everyday lol. Im so get you on this. You are right, those people are attention seekers (most) and honeslty, the whole faceboook addiction, really is so over rated whats so great about it?!
Agreed. And it seems many of the facebook philosophers and low standard analysers have taken time out of their busy status updating schedules to infect this blog. If this blog upsets you, chances are he has hit pretty close to the bone, and you don't like to hear it.
The impulse to self appreciate and seek acceptance amoungst your peers on a website it doing you more harm than good. Ride a bike, write a book, improve your confidence in the real world.
Thats my two cents. I'll go update my status that i'm done.
i have to say that this is a very good article...
facebook is an introverts worst nightmare, when i say introvert i mean the sort of person who likes to have few but meaningful conversations with people(mostly close friends)....a genuine conversation where there is no desire on either side to show off to one another or to people observing the conversation as in facebook.....
the mindless chatter that goes on in facebook is enough to make an introvert sick to the bones
if someone types a nonsense update on facebook i wouldn't really mind as it is up to them how they spend their time, however, if they think that i give a rat's ass about their daily nonsense update they are just wrong
this is an excellent article. i have just removed myself from the networking site and this site has definatly made my mind up i dont want facebook because it is full of nosey people and people who are looking to attention seek . to see how many likes they get on there status or pictures its a joke its a website for gods sake if people paid as much attention to there real life instead of to that site everyone would have a much nicer life and we would be able to have a normal conversation . i will not be returning to facebook i am only 17 and all my friends keep saying im stupid for deleting it and keep asking me to get it back but to be honest i can see what you mean by this article and they cant its really irrating :\
Now seeking professional help.
I agree with your article because I know tons of people who are attention seekers and these people constantly updating profiles pictures, posting more pictures, changing status messages, and always adding people to their friends list. It's more about who makes more friends, has the best pictures, and gets more attention.
Although, there is nothing wrong with using the site and checking up messages or conversing with a friend, but it's gotten to a point where people are using Facebook at work, in class, on the train, and such. There is more to life than Facebook. I think people could be doing better things than spending hours on Facebook such as volunteering or doing something productive.
Good to read many perspectives from people about this site.
WEll it got you NOTICED!!!
Hey , i agree with you. And its a fact , that almost everyone in facebook is an attention seeker , why the hell would you even shout out loud that your single , or even the liking thing , its just kinda stupid really , i cant put up words for this.
It's just facebook...don't take it so seriously!
Hi,very well written there,i stop being active in facebook since last year,i am just so fed up of loging into the site,seeing all those attention seeker status,asking for others concern etc,one thing for sure is nobody cares about that,try to get a life not just 24/7 updating wat ur doing on facebook and the other thing is i found alot of nosey people are trying to find out wat i am doing recently on facebook,wat gurl i went our with etc..i just find them very annoying so as a result i stop logging in and updating.
Very well said, my friend..
I have a theory for what they may call you - the cynical motherfucker who is being left behind and feels that by asserting his own knowledge he belongs to none of these groups? You, my friend, are all of the above, you have just chosen another platform and many more words to acheive all you described and more! Facebook / myspace, hell even whatever the fuck this website is - you're a genius! Look at all your comments! Great philosophy! I have one for you - the know-it-all - especially those that philosophise about philosophy! 'FYI' I hate people that say 'FYI' and was deleting my facebook regardless of your article. One more actually - the useless cunt - the guy that writes a thesus about something that they won't even be a part of! Douchebag, nice try though, I like your writing style :) And that is serious, I just don't agree with most points, you are very hypocritical, just crossing different web platforms.
Clearly Ryan is one of the attention seeking personality types listed in the blog..hence the defensiveness of his comments. I for one couldn't agree with ussoccerthoughts more. Let's face it, he said what we all know already, just refreshing to read it in black and white!
I believe that alot of people including me are seeking attention and sometimes we need it. But when it becomes a habit their may be something going on deep inside us that requires so much attention that we may have a disorder or something missing in our lives.
Where's the LIKE button............
I like this Hub very Much
My personal pet peeve is the attention seekers who fish for concern using what they think are cryptic messages.
ie
"sometimes people in your life just try to bring you down, but I know I,m better than that"
You just know they are sitting there waiting for the
"Oh dear what happened Jane, hope you are ok" messages.
I have despised social networking since it starting peeking it's ugly little head into the world around 2005. I knew there would be a following of idiots since the beginning because humans are proving by the day how pathetic and unintelligent a race they really are and I consciously stayed away from it, all the while being teased by brainless imbeciles trying to pollute my good sense in trying to avoid it. I'm so happy more and more people are staring to see how disgusting, attention seeking, self-indulgent, unhealthy, and egocentric it really is. If your life is so f-ing great, you truly wouldn't have the time nor the idiocy to tell others about it online, you would undoubtedly simply be living it, peacefully, contently, and genuinely. What the hell has this world come to? I wish people really wound stop and think of how foolish they've become engaging in these sites. I'd be so embarrassed of myself if I ever took the time out to find myself so uniquely important that I had to exclaim to the world what I was doing or thinking on a page dedicated to ME. If those of intellect from the past looked upon our degrading society now, they'd be so disgusted and ashamed. No wonder the world's falling apart.
How can you forget parents posting every manusha about there kids life's. I just want poke my eyes out. But have to disagree since you talk so much about what you don't like. What are types of things u think are acceptable posts. If a philosophical statement provides wisdom whats wrong with sharing. Yes most FB people have IQs of monkeys but that's the problem we need to change the culture of FB, people need to say things of value but your right most is attention seeking bs
all you have to do is keep only the friends that arnt attention seekers and delete the rest... alternatively ignore their posts but selecting that option. simples. life goes on
Haha! I LOVE your article. Its so true.
I agree with you wholeheartedly on this. The attention seekers being the worst, it seems like they need everyone to validate everything they’re doing and constantly fishing for compliments.
I find these the most shallow, insecure and full of themselves fake types.
I deleted a lot of friends, then decided to deactivate my account all together. I couldn’t give a rats ass if you are stuck in a traffic jam or ‘how does this size 6 dress look on me’ when I know full well you’re nowhere near a size 6.
I agree with you wholeheartedly on this. The attention seekers being the worst, it seems like they need everyone to validate everything they’re doing and constantly fishing for compliments.
I find these the most shallow, insecure and full of themselves fake types.
I deleted a lot of friends, then decided to deactivate my account all together. I couldn’t give a rats ass if you are stuck in a traffic jam or ‘how does this size 6 dress look on me’ when I know full well you’re nowhere near a size 6.
facebook is used by conceited people. Period.
People who only want to talk about themselves!! Post thousands of pictures of THEMSELVES! And everyone on facebook enables this to happen. Sad and pathetic not to mention boring.
What would it be like if we walked around carrying tons of photos of ourselves, stopping strangers in the street to show them and talk about ourselves to people we don't really know. wierd, but thats what youre doing on facebook- blah blah blah is anyone really listening??
I love your post. I have decided to quit facebook and start living my life. People are caught in a limbo and they don't know it just yet. I'm glad i got off the hook after being with facebook for years.
Although I completely agree with you it's funny to see so many Google sponsored adds on this page ..
There seem to be a lot of Facebook users on here getting upset. Why? Did you get your answer for what you do with your pathetic life?
Facebook can be good but it is a waste of time. Undoubtedly people put up pix and how their life is going only to be misleading about what they actually do or live their life. Most are serious about it.
I ask, why can't people post about the bad things in their lives? Wait, that right, because it is better for these people, in the end, to fabricate.
Its like wearing a Halloween mask. People do things that they would not if the mask wasn't on.
Take the mask off because most Facebook profiles are a mask.
Facebook is like the news. Ultimately, the weather. A forecast is a prediction and a Facebook profile ultimately is a forecast that predicts that most people are just good liars.
So hey... If you're gonna have a list of "cons," you also have to have a list of "pros" to be fair on both sides. So get to it... Write one up. I dare you ;)
If I may express my opinion, I don't think you're a person who gets much joy from life, do you? I agree witht he person that posted that you got NOTICED by writing this harsh, judgemental piece about Facebook and the people who are part of the social network.
The person who posted it got NOTICED because a sh*tload of people feel the same way. It's slightly short-sighted to assume someone doesn't "get joy from life" because they point out a few truths about a social network site.
Why would anyone jump to the defence of Facebook anyway? I don't get it.
Facebook can be useful for keeping in touch with family/friends and for getting important notifications, such as when someone has a baby, when it's someone's birthday, etc. This is the only reason why I am on Facebook. I will also post a few pictures on Facebook every now and then. On the other hand, people who find it necessary to update everyone regarding the smallest events in their lives on a daily basis are extremely annoying. I believe they are abusing Facebook, and they are using it for the wrong reasons. I have a couple of family members and friends on Facebook who believe it is their full-time job to notify everyone when they sneeze, cough, have a headache, stomach ache, etc. They will even notify everyone when they take their medications. Also, they enjoy bragging about their achievements with every opporuinity they can get. Facebook has allowed me to see people for who they really are. I didn't realize there were so many people out there who needed that much attention. It's really sad!!
U people need to get a life worried about what other people are doing, it's their life not urs! Think about it u guys are up here talking about what people do and say on facebook with their free time and look what ur doing with urs, yeah talking about what people do and say on facebook that's really sad... Why don't u guys take all time and energy that u have and donate money needy family/shelter, cancer or animal shelter etc. obviously u guys don't have a life that's why ur up here worried about what other people are doing with their own.
I love your post , facebooks keeps getting more pathetic everyday , personaly I really hate it , but I have so many dead brain friends who I have to stand , I never post anything but I keep an account to look my pathetic sister in law and few " friends and co workers" . I really wan to eras it but can't find that option yet in fb , and plus man people will feel I erase em. Is stupid I s gossipy ,I s for noisy people , ( if you really care about friends , call em , hang out. E mail em !
Sites like fb just benefits. Companies , FBI, and new world order dho !
Agreed. However - the medulla is a control center for your most basic of life function (such as breathing, swallowing, vomiting). I'd imagen that the nonsensical rhetoric preached by the facebook attention seekers would cause more damage to some area of the cerebral cortex.
How can I ' like or share this on my fb'
I am with you 100%! I canceled my Facebook a year ago and the stress of reading everyone's ignorant posts and my own ignorance for spending my valuable time reading are days in the past! My life is truly less stressful. Why should I have been friends with an "acquaintance" that wouldn't recognize me if I ran into her at the grocery store! And why should I have to know where she vacationed that year! I wish other people could see just how poisonous, addictive and a flat out waste of time Facebook really is. And the only reason anyone is dogging you about this article you wrote is because you stepped on their little Facebook addicted toes! :)
The problem isn't necessarily Facebook, but some of the people on it. It could happen on another website, or in real life. Facebook is between MySpace and LinkedIn on social networking/social media websites when it comes to formality, with MySpace being very informal, and LinkedIn very formal. LinkedIn is more for professional purposes, MySpace is more for personal and entertainment, while Facebook is used for people you know (friends, family, coworkers or people you play online games with, or people you have common interests with). The point being any type of addiction is bad. Some people feel the need to remove that aspect of their life, that's fine. The point is moderation. Go on these websites when you have the time to do so. Think of it as recreation or free time after you have done your work and all the important things you need to do.
Come the times, come the website (sic)...
Facebook is a response to the need for social networking, not the other way around. Sites like FB are inevitable. They didn't create the people involved in them. Of course it's unfortunate that it comes with the 'bad' as well as the 'good' it professes to accomplish. That also is inevitable. Any opinion about them (and Facebook in particular) is just that, an opinion. Nothing wrong with that. If it sounds ridiculous to think of your left arm as anything more than just your left arm, then you'll understand why FB is no different. The opposite of love or like is indifference, not hate. Only the indifferent are spared the inanities of using such devices for personal citation. They use, are done, then move on. Anything more is everything you described as wrong with them - if you're inclined to think so, and nothing more.
Amen!
The people who dissagree with this, are the attention seakers themselves and get mad about this, cause they know its true and don't want to admit lol.. I agree it is pretty damn annoying.. I admit, I've done it a couple of times, and now when I look back on it.. it looks retarted of me haha
3 Tips To Successful Blogging
- Cheap Ass Phones - Home Page
Buy cell phones, smart phones, cell phone accessories, unlocked phones, free cell phones with plan, and more at Cheap Ass Phones. - 3 Tips To Successful Blogging
Anyone can start a blog using Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr or one of the other blogging websites available on the internet but not everyone will create a blog that will make money for them. In fact, most... - Best Android Deals
Acquilles 2 years ago
lol
dont mind but im a fanatic boot facebuk..
love to sit and see through things..
still you made gud points though..
a healthy post..