Dear Facebook,
I know this is an awkward way to break up, through an impersonal letter, but then again, our whole relationship has been impersonal, hasn’t it? Oh, we’ve had our good times, especially back at the beginning when everything was new and exciting. But things change. And I’d like to steal George Costanza’s line and tell you, “It’s not you, it’s me,” but that’s not true at all. Actually it IS you.
Let me start with business. I’ve been blogging at TruthNotes for nearly a year now, and like most bloggers, I found Facebook to be an excellent way to get the word out there and post my articles for more exposure. I’ve had a couple of really popular articles, even one that was shared over 10,000 times on Facebook. Things were going well, but then you suddenly changed that with no explanation. One day in April (April, mind you, seven months ago), you suddenly told me that you deemed my blog “unsafe.” You gave me no reasons for this, just simply made me go through a security check before posting my article for the day. I figured it was a fluke and dutifully typed the security challenge and then clicked the link to contact you and tell you I was getting this message in error. Alas, though, it was no fluke. I continued to get the message every single time I posted a new article. And it wasn’t just on my end. Other people had to do the same to share my article again and even sometimes just to view the article! And what was the “unsafe” link? My own files. Trust me, I take my reputation as an author and blogger seriously. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. I even monitor my comments so as not to allow swearing or other inappropriate things. And no matter how many times I let you know I was getting that message in error, you never once gave me the dignity of a response. Not even an automated reply. I even sent a certified letter to your headquarters. Twice. Nothing. Not a peep. Would you put up with that kind of customer service from, say, a bank? I wouldn’t. And I don’t have to put up with that from you either. You aren’t so high and mighty as all that. I’m done.
Since you’ve never given me an explanation, you leave me no choice but to draw my own conclusions. Here’s my theory. I talk about Jesus too much. You figure anyone who talks that much about their faith must be a religious wing-nut. I must have some “dangerous” ideas to spout off, right? And so you label me “unsafe.” With the lack of an explanation from you, I’m forced to guess on my own. And I’ve gotta tell you, my faith is too important for me not to share. If you can’t understand that, there’s no way this relationship will ever work. Period.
Now to the personal side of things. Sure, I’ve enjoyed seeing pictures and posts from friends, especially ones I don’t see on a regular basis. But at the same time, I find it’s all too easy to waste time with you. I find I’m far more productive when I’m away from you. Plus I can spend more time with real people, like my husband and kids. I don’t need you stealing time from them anymore. And I’m past the whole “like” thing. It felt good for a while to see how many people liked my posts, but I’ve come to realize that I’m more than a bunch of likes. My worth isn’t determined by how many people like my status. I don’t need you to validate me because that’s not where my true worth lies. I am valuable because I’m a child of God. He created and redeemed me, and that’s where I get my self worth. My friends and family love me for who I am, faults and all, and that’s something you can’t provide. I don’t show my ugly side to you. I only post things that will make me look good to others. It’s a fake relationship, and I don’t need that.
So thanks for the memories, Facebook. It was fun for a while, after all. But I’m glad to be free of you now. And if my blog views drop because I’m not posting on you anymore, I can live with that. My viewers can always follow me via e-mail notifications (the “follow” button on the right-hand side of the page for a PC under “recent posts” and “archives,” or all the way down on the bottom of the page for a mobile device). I’m sure you have so many other members that this won’t even be a drop in the bucket. Actually, you’ll probably never even read this at all. But others might, and it’s possible that just maybe they’ll agree with me. Regardless, it’s time for us to go our separate ways. Farewell, Facebook.
November 24, 2014 at 8:30 am
I love it!
LikeLike
November 24, 2014 at 8:44 am
Amen! Welcome to the club, Ruth! I’ve been Facebook-free since late May for very similar reasons – both business and personal. Take it from me: While there is a certain amount of “missing out” on the goings-on of your friends, it’s a splendid feeling to be free of “the big blue social machine.”
You also hit the nail on the head when you talked about your worth being more than “likes” and views. Too many people seem to artificially puff themselves up in a misguided attempt to inflate their ego and glorify their lives.
I’m glad to see another unsatisfied user taking a stand!
LikeLike
November 24, 2014 at 11:09 am
I am feeling as do you. It takes up a great deal of time and takes it away from family and friends. I see myself going to FB less and less. Thanks, Ruth.
LikeLike
November 24, 2014 at 12:18 pm
I don’t think FB monitors millions of individual users’ content unless someone alerts them first. Chances are that one or more readers/FB users (someone who saw the post shared by someone else) reported one or more of your posts as offensive/inappropriate – this is the first post I’ve ever read so I have no idea on your content, but if perhaps someone felt your faith was pushing too hard and speaking too harshly against something they may have reported it. This is only a guess on my part. It’s unfortunate and poor business that FB has ignored and refused to communicate with you about the issue. That seems unprofessional and unfair. But I doubt this happened in a vacuum. More likely you’ve been reported (I’m not saying one way or the other if that’s actually justified, but just probably the reality). There are plenty of other avenues to share posts whether twitter, google plus, etc. so all is not lost if writers decide to forego FB 🙂
LikeLike
November 24, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Ruth, wonderful post, I also am fb free, I rather hear from people the old fashioned way, in person, phone call, etc. I love your posts, and I heard about you through word of mouth too.Keep up the excellent blog!
LikeLike
December 1, 2014 at 5:42 am
Ruth I totally agree. I have been Facebook free from the day it became Facebook. I have heard way too many negative things. The whole being liked or not liked is so lame. I know some people who are addicted to Facebook. If you want to know about their life or be part of it you have to be on their page. Why are people texting, e-mailing, or using Facebook to communicate? Talking on the phone or in person has gone out the window. The world is becoming more rude and less polite. People need to give up Facebook for Lent and spend more time calling and hangouting with family and friends. If they did they would see how much time it takes up in there life, and why there is no need to have a page.
LikeLike