Junk food the Facebook way...

Let's admit it, Facebook brings out the narcissist in all of us.


Today, it's Facebook, yesterday it was Myspace, and way before that it was Friendster. It's not so much about Facebook or any particular social networking website itself than it is our perpetual need as human beings to be affirmed that we are part of society. We need our lives to be constantly acknowledged for us to feel we exist. Granted, that need has always been there way before any of this ever existed, but I just can't help but feel that things such as Facebook has just turned that desire into something ugly.

Once upon a time, you feel acknowledged and reaffirmed when someone pats you on the shoulder, someone calls you on the phone, someone meets you up for coffee. Now, we post stuff up on our profiles and wait for people to say something about it. How many times have you eagerly logged onto your Facebook account just to check if anyone left a comment or a 'Like' sign on the latest photo or post that you made? How many times have you secretly wondered why no one has said anything about your latest status update? How many times have you gotten a kick out of knowing that so many people seem to be interested in the things you have to say and share? If you've ever done any one of these things, even once, you know what I mean.

And what do you make of people who seem to be posting something on Facebook all the time? It's one thing to have interesting things you want to say or post online, but please explain the need to update the whole world on how your lunch tasted, what time you woke up in the morning, and when you saw the Mamak dig his nose making your roti canai? It's narcissism.

I have this nagging sensation that it is the people who don't (or hardly) ever Facebook at all that lead fuller, more proper lives. I may be wrong.... but a good number of people I have on my friends list do not Facebook at all. They have an account, but they don't actually do anything with it. They are all busy living out there in the world of sight, scent, sound and touch... not in this virtual reality of endless 'like''s, LOL's, videos and comments.

I'm not saying if you Facebook regularly you're a hopeless narcissist. And I'm not saying if you Facebook, you've got no life either. Heck, even I do it. I think Facebook is fun. You get to share videos, see your friends photos and say whatever you want to anyone and everyone so easily. It really is a fantastic way to connect to everyone instantly. This was impossible 15 years ago.

But looking at the way many of us use it, I just think that getting into the world of Facebook is a little like eating junk food. A bit is fun. A lot is indulgence. Too much just makes you feel like shit and you get fat and lazy Whichever way, it's still rubbish.

Ironically, I'll probably post this up on Facebook for everyone to read and wait eagerly for someone to like it or drop a comment....  :-P

Don't shoot me.