I love Facebook as much as the next person. It allows me to keep in touch with friends all over the world. Birthdays are the best, when the first congrats trickle in from Australia hours before the birthday actually begins, and the last ones are added hours after my California birthday ends if someone in Hawaii chimes in with a congrats. Almost two full days of actual birthday!
November first is a day for remembering the dead in many cultures. A friend of mine, who lost her husband and the father of their two boys early, posted a comment on Facebook on November first. She said that when she needs a good cry this time of year Amazing Grace holds a special place in her heart.
The reaction my friend got was totally surprising. Instead of notes of sympathy someone started off an avalanche by asking if her taste in music really is that bad. Others quickly started adding their suggestions of obscure, but in their mind undoubtedly more appropriate (and “better”), sad songs.
I’m not making this up. I’m not even improving the story the slightest bit. It happened exactly like this.
So, that’s where we are. People are so concerned with our their images that they’re unable to see what’s going on with another person, and spend their time making sure their choice of music tells the right story about them. Question is: where do we go from here?