I enjoy social networking sites; they are great for connecting with “real friends”. I have been defriended by some people because of what I say, and will continue to say. I have also defriended people as well because of their constant talking of nothing. I have dealt with the stalkers, the haters, and enjoy the congratulators.
I do not mind when I get defriended, and do not act like a baby whose lost his binky. That is the beauty of social networking sites- you can control access if you are intelligent enough. I ran into a situation where I deleted a person because we continued to fight all day long, but I still valued the friendship. Just because we are not friends on a social networking sites has no connection with how we act in the real world, or so I thought.
I was defriended by an individual, and later, saw them in the local supermarket. Did I ask them why they defriended me? No. I just had a friendly conversation and moved on about my business. There needs to be an understanding that some people do not need to be friends on social networking sites and can still have a personal friendship. No matter how much we think we are being real, or being ourselves, on social networking sites, I call “bullshit”. Sometimes we are nothing but superficial avatars of ourselves, clamoring for attention.
There are some that keep it real. They will let you know when they are having a bad day, or if their day is great. But that is not the majority. Most people are trying to pawn their music, or promote a shoe company that they don’t even get incentives from.
The power of social networking sites is not being used to its fullest potential, but rather for farming on farm town, running around in mobster-land, or for just plain old fronting. Social networking sites are a tool to inform, educate, and yes share those special moments. But there are some things that social networking sites are not for. Like arguing with your spouse or claiming that you are what you are not.
The option of defriending, blocking, and deleting is one that is important and should be exercised as often as possible. (I’m sure I’ll lose a couple after this post) For example, the friend that always has something negative to say about every post you make, well friend; you are now blocked from comments. What about the friend that always tags you in images you’re not in, or those monthly birthday calendars… cool, all 50 of us are Virgos, that’s great to know!
So no, you are not my social networking or virtual friend, but rather, negative energy that could cause cancer, a tumor, or some unknown disease that will be diagnosed in the next few months. Sure, we are not supposed to always agree on everything- what is the purpose of that? But to always be instigating an argument on the internet is pathetic. If you do not like what someone says feel free to defriend, delete, or block- that is why those options are available to you. Or, like you mom always said, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
If you get deleted, be an adult about it and move on. Do not ask why; do not send a message through the same social networking site that you got deleted from. Take it personal if you want because your friend count is down one. I am sure that there are a few supermodels that would like to be your friend and link you to pictures of tennis shoes.
