Facebook is a kaleidoscope of oddities governed by disconcerting rules. Actually, there's only one rule, which is this: There are no rules. On the one hand, there's some fascinating stuff to the found there. On the other, there are all of those maddeningly vague videos, uncaptioned photos and grossly misleading -- even patently false -- statements of "fact."
Here's what happened to me on Facebook yesterday in the span of just a few minutes. For starters, I stumbled upon a link to a thoughtful essay from The Atlantic about Pope Francis’ commitment to "radical environmentalism."
So far, so good.
Then things took a turn for the worse.
Here's what happened to me on Facebook yesterday in the span of just a few minutes. For starters, I stumbled upon a link to a thoughtful essay from The Atlantic about Pope Francis’ commitment to "radical environmentalism."
So far, so good.
Then things took a turn for the worse.
I scrolled down to an aw-shucks video of a man rescuing a trapped fawn; there was no indication of when or where this transpired, or how it came about. It was just a cute little video that originated in the ether and exists in a vacuum. That was followed by a dramatic, rough-seas clip of a shift change at a French lighthouse. There were no other identifying details.
Then there was the post on the death of Andy Griffith. Yup, you’re right. He didn’t die yesterday. He passed away two years ago. But there he was, newly deceased on July 11, 2014. It reminded me of the post that made the rounds a while back announcing the demise of actor Morgan Freeman, who remains (thankfully) very much alive.
I realize the people posting this stuff probably are well-intentioned. Most of them, anyway. They obviously are not trained, as journalists are, to make the information they share as complete as possible or to double-check the truthfulness of what they see, hear or read before they let the world in on their latest discovery.
But hey, it’s only Facebook, right?
And maybe that’s the point. It is only Facebook, so we shouldn’t attach too much significance to most of what pops up there. Unless it’s a smile-inducing photo of Uncle Bill, Aunt Susan or Cousin Betty. At least we already know who they are, and whether they’re still alive. But what are they doing in those pics? Who are they with? Why are they gathered around a Land Rover? Is that an elephant in the background? And why is Aunt Millie decked out as if she's on safari? I thought she was so agoraphobic that she never left her apartment in Des Moines! What gives? Inquiring minds want to know!
Doesn’t anybody feel compelled to answer these questions before hitting the “share” button? After all, context is everything. Well, almost everything. In the old-school playbook that some of us still use, accuracy is right up there too. I think Andy Griffith would agree. Or would have. In case you haven't heard, he passed away yesterday.
Then there was the post on the death of Andy Griffith. Yup, you’re right. He didn’t die yesterday. He passed away two years ago. But there he was, newly deceased on July 11, 2014. It reminded me of the post that made the rounds a while back announcing the demise of actor Morgan Freeman, who remains (thankfully) very much alive.
I realize the people posting this stuff probably are well-intentioned. Most of them, anyway. They obviously are not trained, as journalists are, to make the information they share as complete as possible or to double-check the truthfulness of what they see, hear or read before they let the world in on their latest discovery.
But hey, it’s only Facebook, right?
And maybe that’s the point. It is only Facebook, so we shouldn’t attach too much significance to most of what pops up there. Unless it’s a smile-inducing photo of Uncle Bill, Aunt Susan or Cousin Betty. At least we already know who they are, and whether they’re still alive. But what are they doing in those pics? Who are they with? Why are they gathered around a Land Rover? Is that an elephant in the background? And why is Aunt Millie decked out as if she's on safari? I thought she was so agoraphobic that she never left her apartment in Des Moines! What gives? Inquiring minds want to know!
Doesn’t anybody feel compelled to answer these questions before hitting the “share” button? After all, context is everything. Well, almost everything. In the old-school playbook that some of us still use, accuracy is right up there too. I think Andy Griffith would agree. Or would have. In case you haven't heard, he passed away yesterday.
No comments:
Post a Comment