About Facebook...

I am a fan of Facebook. It’s the only social media I take much active part in, and I spend more time than I should over there, just scrolling and laughing with my kids and checking in on nieces and nephews. 

I post things, too. About blog posts, book releases, book sales, sunrises, and my grandkids. (My cats are snobs—I don’t post about them.) I tell everyone Happy Birthday, mourn losses with people to whom I have a vicarious online attachment, and pray for whoever asks for it. I laugh uproariously sometimes and pass things on— “Did you see this? Isn’t it a hoot?” I “hide” posts because they are hateful, misogynistic, racist, homophobic, mean, stupid, obscene, profane for the sake of profanity, or not the truth.

I don’t unfriend many people, although there have been a few. An inspirational author who requested that people “unfriend me now” if they disagreed with something she said. So I did. A writer to whom I had donated money in her Gofundme account because she was ill, who thought her atheism (which is certainly her business and her right) made me open game. It didn’t.

Mostly, these days, I “share” things which are funny, inspirational, or particularly
beautiful. If I have friends with new releases (other than our own Kristi’s, whose last one I missed--her cover's right there. Isn't it cool?) I try to pass the word. I “like” a lot of cats, babies, and puns.


But here's what I don't do, and I’m going to make another list. (I may need some counseling or a 12-step-program about lists—I’m making a lot of them these days.) Please add to it or show us your own .

  1. I don't say Amen when someone says I must if I believe in God. My belief is all about Him and not about you at all.
  2. I don't repeat or "share" anything until I've checked its accuracy.
  3. I don't spread falsehoods or hurtful memes about your political candidate.
  4. If you spread them about mine, I "hide" the posts and become all the more determined to vote both my conscience and my heart. It is my hope you do the same thing.
  5. If you send me flowers, I send you a smiley face and say Thank You, but I'm not going to send them to 15 of my closest friends. 
  6. If a post isn't fairly literate, I'm not going to read it.
  7. If anyone's naked, I'm hiding it. Naked has plenty of really good and interesting places to be--my Facebook page isn't one of them.
  8. If the picture's gruesome, I'm hiding it.
  9. If there are more f-bombs in a post than there are other words, I'm hiding it. I'm not a prude, but I am one of those who think if you have to swear every other word, your vocabulary's seriously stunted and what you say is boring.
  10. I love our country, the American flag, the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem, and our military. I do not feel compelled to try to force you to feel the same way about them as I do.
Next? What are your social media loves and hates?

Happy Halloween and have a great week!



Comments

  1. You pretty much said it all, Liz. Great list!

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  2. F***ing on the money, Liz! 😉
    This is pretty much my list as well... I don't do political, 'cuz it's as personal as my faith. I despise any guilt/pressure/school project/who's really a friend must-share type of posts. And I keep hubby and kiddo details to a minimum. Great post!

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    1. Thanks, Ava. Wouldn't it be cool if everyone was as smart as we are? :-)

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  3. Your list covers it for me--I kinda have a love/hate thing going with social media. For all the reasons you mention, I enjoy FB, but there's a part of me that feels a little manipulated by it. I see people who aren't on social media at all and I confess to being a little bit envious of them.

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    1. I won't say I'm envious, but I admit if it weren't for the promotional part of it, I'd have gotten off FB for the duration of the election season this year. Too much ugly!

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  4. Yup, what they said. But I'm still shy about posting (or maybe just being anti-social). Thanks for a wonderful list, Liz.

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  5. You covered me, too! And you used my cover - thanks! That is a particular favorite (I know, I say that about them all)....

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  6. I think your list is right on target but would add one more item. Sharing those posts that are bullying, particularly the ones that intimate you don't have a heart if you choose not to share. Emotional blackmail in a sense. Thanks for the post.

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  7. I agree wholeheartedly with you, Liz. I really hate the posts that scold you if you don't believe as they do.

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    1. Me, too, and what's worse is that they make me angry. I know anger's an honest emotion, but I'd really rather not waste it on someone who's deliberately baiting me. :-)

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  8. I agree with you, Liz. I like your list. I'm new to posting on FB, only having ever been a reader and sharer. Unfortunately, posting has become a necessity for promotion. It's a bit of a struggle for someone who is more comfortable staying in her cave. Not possible these days, I'm afraid. I enjoyed your post.

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    1. Thanks, Joyce. I know exactly what you mean--well, most of us do. We're social, but only when we want to be. And not often. Or much. :-)

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  9. I probably wouldn't have joined FB at all if it hadn't been for promotional needs, though I do like keeping up with family and friends. I definitely have a love/hate thing with FB. I guess I'm not that social!

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    1. Yeah, love/hate perfectly describes it, doesn't it. I would have gotten on because I love seeing everyone's pictures and cute things and recipes, etc.--but this year's election would have sent me away in a heartbeat if not for the promo.

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  10. So far I have pleasant experiences on Facebook as an author (I have a separate personal profile). Most of my friends (I have almost 2000) are authors or readers and the conversation is very writer oriented. The best part has been going to conferences and meeting the people who are my Facebook friends for the first time. They have all been wonderful.

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    1. I have an author's page, but in truth I spend very little time on it. My own page, though, is like the back fence if I lived in the suburbs. I'm glad you're having such a positive experience!

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  11. Liz, I love your posts! I have found some new, wonderful authors to read based on you sharing information about their publications. I well be really glad when the election is over and we are not inundated with political "stuff". I do love keeping up with many family and friends through FB.

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    1. I do, too, Carolyn--I'd hate to give it up. And I'm glad you've found new authors. It makes reading all the more exciting, doesn't it?

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  12. I love your lists! And my pet FB peeve is guilty coercion.

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    1. Yes, especially when I allow myself to actually FEEL that guilt!

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  13. Mom sent this to me. Love it! I look forward to reading your blog on a regular basis, Liz.

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    1. Thank you, Elisabeth! I'm happy to see you here.

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