I mean the old facebook. When people posted pictures of things they liked, like their pets and their kids, or places they went. Or maybe they linked to interesting articles. Or just stupid videos of cats. Or even drinking pictures (which was why it was started in the first place.) Harmless, silly things like that.
But that's not what it is anymore. At least not my feed. It starts with numerous ads. Yes, I know, that's how America works. We can't expect something for like facebook for free, without paying something. Hence the ads. But somehow, facebook got by for a long time without putting ads in my news feed. Yeah, maybe Zuckerberg decided that being worth 15 billion was not enough. Yes I know, it's his right. We all do what we can to make a buck. I won't begrudge him that. Really. If I don't like it, I can always sign off.
But what really annoys me about facebook isn't the ads. It's the political crap. It's everywhere. On my feed, it's mostly conservative, right wing stuff that makes no sense. But I'm not just blaming the right. Maybe I just don't have many left leaning fb friends. I'm not sure. But I do know that almost all of the political crap I see is far right. Not just kinda republican right, not even a little more libertarian right. I mean full blown "Obama Hates America and the Kenyan is Trying to Take Your Guns, Control Your Life, and Destroy America" right.
Hey, these people can have their opinions. For me, I don't think Obama is the best president ever, but I don't think he's what these people say either. But it's hard to argue with them because they always link to articles. (sarcasm intended) Mostly from something like The Blaze, or Wall Street Journal, or Foxnews, or some other "fair and balanced" source of a) opinion, or b) brain washing, or c) news. (That was a multiple choice. Feel free to pick whichever one you think is appropriate.)
But my goal here isn't to trash the right. Honestly if I got all that crap from those on the left, I'd be complaining just as much. But I don't. At least not yet. (You lefties out there, feel free to start filling my newsfeed with mindless political crap. I'll try to ignore it just like I do the other stuff.)
And of course, I can ignore it. And I usually do. Although there are times when the stuff is just so full of lies I have to try to set the record straight. Of course, nobody ever listens.
Which brings me to my point, finally, I think. I'm pretty sure if we did a survey and asked every single facebook user how many times their political positions were changed by what they saw on facebook, the total would be "zero." I could be wrong, but I don't think so. At least in my experience, I've never known anyone to change their mind about some political idea because of what they saw on facebook. And I'm pretty sure that for those of you reading this, you'll agree.
So can't we just stop it already? Unfortunately, I know that answer. And it's because we're all so convinced (me included unfortunately) that if the other people just knew what we knew, they'd all "understand" how right we are. Which explains why a friend of mine once offered to donate $50 to the charity of my choice, if I just watched twelve Glen Beck episodes. He was so convinced that if I just "knew the truth" I'd come around to his way of thinking. Honestly, I thought about it, but I kinda felt like a prostitute, so I refused.
So I guess instead of complaining, that's what I should do on facebook. Just refuse to read the political crap. And honestly, I try, but it's difficult. Maybe they should all get a blog. On my blog, I sometimes put political stuff. But it's not right on facebook. You have to choose to read it, as you've chosen to read this. Somehow, it seems like that makes a difference. Maybe, maybe not.
Well, now that I got that off my chest, I’ll go back to facebook, where I’ll find out that Obamacare is a secret plot by the left to control us all…or something like that.
