So, I decided to go on Fakebook this morning (no, that's not a typo) to get caught up on what some friends were up to. Hadn't been on in a while, mainly there for messenger/video chat, to check in occasionally with a few close friends who I know are more real or to visit a few groups I belong to... Wow, I couldn't get over all the happy, peppy posts of people doing only wonderful things and trying to look good. It hit me all the more strongly how much it's about "me, me, me!" Even from people I do know about otherwise. Another outlet to be fake.
9
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8 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.So from other people's responses, it seems you were talking about Facebook.
I initially read your post as Facebook but then when you wrote "no, that not a typo," I thought "Wait, what did I just read?" I went back and saw you actually wrote "Fakebook" and assumed it was some other kind of social media platform. 
joeymf86
Level 8
Aug 10, 2018
1
I was discussing something similar with another Mom. Facebook is the worst thing to every happen to parenting. Based on all the perfect kid posts there are, you feel so inadequate. No one ever posts “mediocre day for the kids and I. We all survived!” But in reality, most days are just that.
Christiep77
Level 7
Aug 10, 2018
1
I use different social media forums for different things, but I typically try to be positive rather than grumpy, whiny and complaining all the time. I post things that amuse me, or strike me as interesting or worthwhile. If people don't like it, they can unfriend or unfollow if they want.
And maybe the happy, peppy posts you're seeing are of actual people doing wonderful things and the fact that it strikes you as fake is more telling about you, than them.
Perhaps striving to be happy and peppy isn't fake, perhaps it's people doing their best to spread positivity, hope and joy, rather than raining on everyone's parade.
Perhaps...
scurry
Level 9
Aug 10, 2018
2
I don't have a problem with happy and peppy per se, just that what I'm seeing in them is, "look at me, look at me, aren't I fabulous" -- and nothing else. It starts to become like a show.
@bleurowz Understood.
I often wonder if the people who over post the forced-happiness-stories are so miserable that being able to post something positive is the only thing that helps them get out of bed each morning. I often wonder what they're struggling with and how difficult it must be for them, that they to need to appear happier or more productive than they really are.
I know what you mean. Social media makes everyone less content because you’re comparing your insides to others’ outsides. I forget which comedian was remarking on a podcast how he saw a 13 year old girl at the mall sitting slumped over looking miserable on her phone and every 30 seconds she’d pop upright give a big smile or confident look and snap a selfie for Instagram before returning to the same miserable posture and expression. Which I believe is an apt microcosm of everyone on social media ever.
Wurlitzer
Level 8
Aug 10, 2018
2
Just to play devil's advocate; do you think they should post boring or melancholy things that nobody cares to see to seem more real?
mattersauce
Level 7
Aug 10, 2018
2
That's the problem with Fakebook. Everyone posts an artificially upbeat, happy and sometimes privileged view of their situation. Studies show you tend to be depressed the more fakebook you watch.
@rogueflyer so my question again; should people instead post boring or miserable content
that nobody wants to watch? Is it the fault of the person posting for a watcher's depression?
I understand your point but I don't think people conceive of the opposite reality that's constantly proposed.
@mattersauce It's not either/or. Not saying every post should be morose and I'm okay with happy posts, but for some people it's like, "look at me, look at me, aren't I fabulous." And nothing else.
When I go to Facebook I expect to see highlights from people's lives. It's not the full picture and I feel like if anyone is expecting to see the real picture then you're setting yourself up for failure. It's like complaining that someone dressed up on a first date because it's not what they wear every day.
I don't think the problem is that they're trying to be fake, I think it's that we expect them to be more real.
@mattersauce I think we all have correct points I just choose not to go to my Facebook account. Life is better this way. Agnostic gets nothing for this service and it's so much better IMO. Be well.
After I defriended all the Trump supporters I only have a few great people left..mostly agnostics with a good sense of humor.
birdingnut
Level 8
Aug 10, 2018
2
Invite your true friends to Agnostic and dump Fakebook.
@rogueflyer I post ads for agnostic.com on my Facebook pages and talk about it, but if any of them started coming here I don't know about it.
I can't dump Facebook since that's where my daughter, one sister, and all my Thailand friends message me, and I"m also on two different Facebook bird photographer forums. Also, about eight gaited horse forums.
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