Intrigued, I read a column from a writer who decided to stop
hitting the “like” button on Facebook.
Elan
Morgan said she didn’t want to help Facebook’s advertisers track her online
life. She wanted to know what would happen if she stopped liking posts and
instead added comments. In that way, she could reconnect with people through
words.
There’s a lot of merit in what she wrote, but frankly,
this world needs a lot more likes, and I don’t care if Facebook knows what I
like.
This is what they’ll find – I love desserts. If somebody
posts a recipe for a chocolate cake with chocolate filling and chocolate icing,
I’m liking that bad boy from here to Tuesday.
Likewise with any dessert that includes crushed candy
bars on top. I liked a recipe for one calling for a can of sweetened condensed
milk, a whole jar of caramel topping and Butterfinger candy bars and my hips
are still not speaking to me. I’m seeing a lot more recipes for desserts on my
Facebook feed, and all I can say is “bring it on.”
I also “like” pictures people post of their family, and
if your son or daughter loses a tooth, catches a huge fish or wins a trophy,
I’ll immediately “like” that post because I know you’re a proud parent.
If
you post a picture of your grandbaby, I’ll “like” that picture a dozen times
over. That’s because I know what it’s like to be over-the-moon crazy about your
grandchildren. I’ll take it further and comment that her smile is gorgeous, his
rosy cheeks are adorable and she looks just like her mama.
And
if Facebook wants to track that I love babies, then track away, social media
giant.
If you post a YouTube video of the stupidest answers from
“Family Feud,” I will immediately “like” that post. In a world of apocalypse
endings, crooked politicians and global warming -- oh, I’m sorry, climate
change -- a laugh from the question “name something that comes after the word
pork” and the contestant’s answer is “cupine,” is exactly what I need. Track
away.
I won’t “like” your obscene or vulgar links on Facebook, and
I’ll admit to being a fuddy-duddy when I see photos of young girls in “hoochie-mama”
clothes.
A
word of advice girls – don’t debase yourself by posting half naked selfies to
the world. Have more dignity and pride and remember that true beauty comes from
the inside. Not your bosom.
I also won’t “like” stupid human trick videos because
somebody’s always getting hurt, and I don’t find that humorous. I’ll watch your
smart dog tricks videos all evening long but politely skip over any video of a
cat.
I’ll “like” your vacation pictures but I wish there was a
“green-with-envy” button. I laugh over the Maxine posers and the snarky e-cards
with comments like “I just wanted to lose weight by staying in bed, watching TV
and eating Girl Scout cookies. Is that really too much to ask?”
For those with sad posts, such as the passing of a
relative or the loss of a pet, “liking” the post is surface sympathetic. If I
can, I’ll pull an old-fashioned move and give you a phone call because nothing
beats human contact.
While I think Morgan has valid points, I’ll not be stingy
with my “likes.” If that means Facebook knows I like dogs, ice cream and clips
from “The Office,” I’ll keep hitting that button and add to the positivity in
this world.
Even if, sigh, you post a video of your cat.
This column was originally published in The Fort Bend Herald.
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