Facebook continues to amaze and amuse me. What has really struck me lately is how it takes friends and acquaintances from wildly different parts of my life and puts them all in the same place. One friend of mine called this 'homogenization' of people. (Thanks Mark) I guess I am used to my friends being compartmentalized. . .college, former youth, family, online friends, etc. Some of these friends know some things about me. . .others are privy to a whole different slate of information. (For example, many people know what the name of this blog signifies. Many do not.)
Just the other day, a several friends posted their status messages, as usual. The first one was one of my more conservative friends who was ranting about President Obama. Directly after that, was a status from one of my gay friends talking about a Pride March he was in. Right after that was a family member talking about moving from one state to another. And after that was a Christian friend of mine, using her status to broadcast her faith.
You get the idea. I had to chuckle. I started to think, which one of my friends would unfriend me if they could see all my other friends. Would my pro-choice friends disown me because I also have pro-life friends? Would my atheist friends sneer at my christian friends? Would my straight friends be shocked that I have gay friends? What kind of conversations would ensue if everyone was gathered in one room?
It only makes sense. I usually describe myself as a mutt when meeting new people. I have threads of many different philosophies, beliefs and choices flowing through me. It helps me to relate to individuals and groups of many different backgrounds. I was just always the kid who had friends of all different kinds, shapes, and colors. I always try to respect other people for their beliefs; while still holding intact my own beliefs. So my FaceBook friends are a reflection of all of this.
I would like to bring everyone together in one room. Just to see. How many people would get into heated conversations. How many people would make new friends. How many people would storm out of the room.
Wouldn't it be fun to watch.
Ah, well said. I find that my fingers are rather tied on Facebook because I have a similar mix on my list. Friend compartments that have always been separate for me are now all lumped together and watching what I say. It's not that I worry what some will think about me....I just don't like to stir the pot. And I know you will understand when I say that if I post any of my more liberal thoughts (and I have a lot of them!), I will have dozens of "friends" on my doorstep trying to lead me back to THE LORD. I'm just not interested in going there, so I tend to keep my mouth shut and post about trivial things.
It's kind of unfortunate in a way, but I guess it is worth it to reconnect with people you never would have seen again otherwise. I've just moved so far from where they would want me to be, that I hate to make them sad. So, I don't! :)
Posted by: zootnarf | 16 June 2009 at 12:10 AM
You captured just how I feel. There is a real sense of not wanting to 'stir the pot', because it doesn't seem worth it in the long run. A strange place to be. I find that I can be much more honest with this blog. Speaking of blogs, I miss reading yours. :)
Posted by: Metaphileo | 18 June 2009 at 11:52 PM
I have a blog? ;) Maybe it's about time for my once a year post. I'm a terrible blogger.
Posted by: zootnarf | 26 June 2009 at 03:40 PM
Have a wonderfully happy birthday tomorrow! I've been thinking about you and your mom. I hope things are going well for you and your family. Enjoy your day and another year!
Posted by: zootnarf | 27 August 2009 at 10:44 PM
Thanks Zootie! (see new post above) I hope you and your hubbie are doing well.
Posted by: Metaphileo | 28 August 2009 at 01:31 PM
A true friend is forever a friend.They are with friends -- the people with whom we often share our deepest thoughts.
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