"All the world's a stage, and the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts."

- William Shakespeare

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

'like'

I only have two assignments due in the next few hours so I felt right now was the perfect time to write a little post. This one's just for fun, I don't plan on being profound -- just procrastinate-y.

The other day, I found myself participating in a conversation about the 'poke' option on facebook. My friend was asking what its purpose was (which, in the end is a futile question because I'm sure it actually doesn't have a purpose, but we managed to have a whole discussion about it, so... yeah) and my argument was that its purpose is to acknowledge someone without having to use those tiresome things we call 'words'.

Of course, this sounded ridiculous then and still does now, but I happen to think it's actually true. We're the generation that went from phone calls to texts and now we've fallen so low all we can do is poke. How sad is that?

Now you may say, "But, Lars, I haven't used the poke button in years" (I know this is true for me because really, the poke button just creeps me out), but have you used the 'like' button? I think it holds the same purpose. I see a status, a picture, a quote - anything really - that moves me, makes me laugh, makes me think and what do I do?

I 'like' it.

I don't take the time to say "Hey Carly, I totally agree!" Or "Wow, Sharon, it's SO snowy there! What are you doing with your snow day?"
... I just 'like'. And I know I'm not the only one.

I love that facebook doesn't have a 'dislike' button mainly because not having that option causes people to actually speak or share their opinion, even if it's just to say, "I wish facebook had a dislike button."

Like I said, I just wanted to put my opinion out there. This has actually been on my mind since the appearance of the 'like' button, so I thought now was as good a time as any to share it with the world. Do with it what you want... But I'd love it if my sharing of words with you causes you to maybe share some words of your own. Or you can just be that witty person who 'likes' this post on my facebook page ;) I won't judge... well, at least, not out loud.

Keep it real!

5 comments:

Carly Dodd said...

Not only was the poke conversation hilarious, but I totally agree and have often thought about the lack of effort needed to 'like' something.
i mean, sometimes all you can do is like, but honestly, it's made us lazy and can also be slightly confusing. (which PART do you like. also, liking is not the same as agreeing if a status says 'having the worst day of life' or something similarly negative.

all that, and the mention of my name in said post makes me say, I really like this post, I agree, and am increasingly afriad of the upcoming generations lack of vocabulary (etc)

Minty said...

I think its soo true. Our generation is one that has gone from physically writing to each other, to phone calls, to multiple phone lines, to personal phones and texting and facebook and facebooking on your phone, etc. I wonder if people remember how to write each other. Just yesterday my mom got a letter that had the stamp on the wrong corner.
There is a difference between acknowledging a person's post or status update and actual communication. Throughout the expansion of communication methods, we've actually become WORSE at actual communication. Unfortunately, however, I have no idea what to do about it.

Jer said...

Like.

lol, had to.

Larissa Benfey said...

@Jeremy - hahaha thanks ;P
@Quill - good point about the confusing part in all this about which aspect of a comment is being liked. ;)
@Minty - that's HILARIOUS that someone put a stamp on the wrong side of the envelope!! though, I'll admit, once or twice I've had to stop and think about it... :s

Anonymous said...

Wow Larzidoodles... so true. I've never thought about that before! I think I am going to have to rethink my approval system to include door step handshakes for things that I would normally 'like' :)