A couple of weeks ago, my life changed.
A friend pointed out a transition that would alter the fabric of my interactions. As of a few weeks ago, the mighty Facebook decided that I can no longer ‘become a fan’ of a particular person, movement or even a sausage roll trying to become more popular than Cheryl Cole. Today, I can only ‘like’ something.
The ‘like’. The new language of Facebook mediated kindness. Express your interest or affirmation with a simple click, at no cost, except for the fact that everyone, anywhere can do a google search and find out everything you’ve even expressed an interest in. Bet you wished you hadn’t been so eager to pledge your allegiance to ‘One Tree Hill’ now, or the sausage role for that matter.
I decided to do some research. Why Facebook forced us all to start ‘liking things? I quite liked being a fan. “We believe this change offers you a more light-weight and standard way to connect with people, things and topics in which you are interested” announces the Facebook help center.
Interesting. I think Facebook, whilst not entirely accurate, can be used as a kind of social barometer. Follow the latest emerging trends, see who’s connecting with who, what events are going on, how is the corporate world trying to connect with us, how are we connecting with each other. My question is, do we really want a “more light-weight standard way to connect with people, things and topics”? I’m not sure I do.
I don’t just want to like something, I want to become a fan. I don’t want to float through life with my light-weight standard ways of connecting. I want to embrace life, non-standard, multi-faceted and exciting. I want to delve deep into friendships and relationships, the ups and downs and twists and turns. Light-weight and standard just will not do. I want life to the full.
I want a life like that, but I don’t always get there. In fact, I think some parties probably prefer it that way. A light-weight, standard way of connecting suits a lot of people’s purposes. Light-weight and standard produces quick and easy statistics so others can spot the emerging trends, sell the data and target the new product. Light-weight and standard means less time trying to navigate the complexities of social life and more time to be ‘productive’.
I don’t want to live with the illusion of liking. I want to become a real fan of life, a real fan of faith, wrestling and real. I want to be part of something bigger, a new way, with real purpose.
