Facebook | Am I Thirty Yet

So I’ve already let you guys know that I don’t think too highly of Facebook. The past week Facebook has been even more annoying than usual and it’s all because of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. And no, it’s not the videos of my friends getting drenched with ice water that’s irritating. Those are usually entertaining. The thing I have a problem with is the people constantly complaining about the latest social media trend.

The premise for the Ice Bucket Challenge is pretty simple. I’m sure most of you are familiar but here’s a crash course for those who do not know about it yet. Once you are nominated, you have 24 hours to post a video of yourself being doused with ice water or you have to donate $100 to the ALS Association. If you decide to make a video, you still donate an amount of your choice and nominate three of your friends to do the challenge.

Seems like a fun gimmick that raises a ton of money for a good cause, right? Who in their right mind would have a problem with this? Well seems like a ton of people, who must be REALLY fun at parties, have a lot of animosity towards this challenge. I’ve seen a slew of people on my FB feed complaining about the abundance of videos, claiming that the posters are just looking for attention.

And a part of that is true. I bet a bunch of people are looking for a chance to get nominated so they can post a hilarious video of themselves getting covered with freezing cold water! Everything we put on social media is to get attention. But when it’s raising money for a horrible disease, why are we complaining? I’d rather see 100 Ice Bucket Challenge videos on my newsfeed than the usual selfies or “OMG I hate Mondays!” posts.

The bottom line is that this trend is raising money and the videos are helping. Last year from July 29 to August 19, the ALS Association raised $1.9 million. The same period this year? They have raised $22.9 million. People aren’t making these videos in an attempt to get out of donating. (Unless they are really shitty people. In that case, they should just get a bucket thrown at their head.) And the videos are a way to pass along the information and get more participants and donations.

Let’s stop shitting on people who want to have a little fun while donating to a good cause.

And one more thing, because I haven’t posted in awhile and I’m feeling generous, here’s Tom Hiddleston doing the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Any trend that gives me this photo is OK in my book.

I am going to start off by saying that the main reason I’m posting this is to let you guys know that I’ve created a FB page for this little ol’ blog. However, I wasn’t going to just put a post with some shameless self promotion. You deserve better than that. But a little bit of self promotion never killed anyone, right? You guys should definitely check out the page for more of my random thoughts and funny photos! It’s just going to be more nonsense from me but if you like this blog, then you’ll like the page.

Now onto a little bit about Facebook. I joined FB back in 2005. (Cue the “I’m so old” speech.) Back when I joined, a valid college email was required. Now, everyone and their mother is on FB. In fact, it’s mostly just mothers on FB. Teenagers are no where to be found. We recently had high school interns at my job. Since I handle my company’s social media, we started talking about FB. One of the interns, a 17-year-old Junior, mentioned that she might have FB but she can’t really remember. She’s sure it’s still up somewhere but she can’t even remember the login information. I cringed. Facebook to them is what Myspace was to us! (Fun Fact: I actually think my Myspace account is still living somewhere on the internet.)

While we all still have our Facebook accounts and will probably never get rid of them (it’s just too easy to plan events with FB), it’s definitely not the same as it used to be.

Friend Requests
Before: Every friend request would get approved. I’m looking for a goal of 5,000 friends so everyone will know just how “popular” I am.
Now: I don’t care if we have 20 mutual friends, if I don’t know you from real life, request denied!

Personal Information
Before: Gotta make sure that my correct name and email address are in there. How else will long lost friends from elementary school find me?
Now: Ha, you want my email address and telephone number FB? In your dreams! And since you require some sort of name, how about I use my stripper name? (Everyone has a stripper name, right?!)

Tagged Photos
Before: Oh snap, gotta put up those new photos of me from my birthday celebration this weekend! Look at how many shots I took!
Now: I think this photo of a baby llama would make an excellent profile picture. It kind of resembles me. Went to a bachelorette party this weekend. All those photos must be burned. Any idiot that tries to upload them to FB is getting stabbed.

Drama
Before: I am angry with my friend. I think I’ll post some passive-aggressive status about shady friends. If anyone asks me about this, I’ll respond with, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Now: I’m hoping that we’ve all matured a bit and actually confront people in real life if a problem arises.

Your Wall
Before every other post looked like this: “Day drinking!” “Partyin’ it up in the club!” “Finals, Finals, Finals!”
Now every post looks like this: Babies. Babies. Babies. Wedding. Babies. Engagement. Babies. Babies. Wedding. Babies. (Throw a few more babies in there for accuracy.)

Poking
Before: Someone just poked me. I have no idea why that is or what that means. I’m just going to ignore it.
Now: Someone just poked me. I have no idea why that is or what that means. I’m just going to ignore it.*

Stalking
Before: Ah, just became friends with someone I find attractive. I will spend the next five hours going through every single picture he has.
Now: Ah, just became friends with someone I find attractive. I will spend the next five hours going through every single picture he has.*

*I guess some things never change.