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Erika's avatar

I loved this post and your thoughts about Facebook.

I remember loving it when it started. I had 8 friends, and we played these little games, “poking” each other... It was a different way to connect.

Then I started needing it to stay in touch with family and friends overseas.

Then a couple of years ago, all changed.

I saw something odd happening. All the posts were superficial - at the end of the day - I didn't actually know what was going on with my friends. I saw happy pictures and happy announcements, but when I was reaching out privately, things were not as they seemed in most cases.

I think they felt like they had to show a facade, which became an addiction: the need to pretend so people would not judge or pity them. Closing up, pretending to open up.

I had to step away then, right before it became a weapon.

I think it’s still good for business, but the personal side scares me now. It was born to connect us; I am sure of that. To make us feel less lonely. But I fear that it’s not the case anymore!

-E

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Suzanne Blakeman's avatar

I recently moved to north GA (❤️). I joined several local groups, and the most useful have been related to native plants, local hiking, and gardening. I don’t care one whit what any internet app does with my info, since I’m poor and a nobody (which tickles me to write, since I feel blessed to have enough and to be somebody ☺️). I believe our sense of place is more affected by the international corporations that inhabit every town and make it challenging to tell one from another. I travel, and I always seek out the older parts of towns to get a sense of that place.

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