I’m quitting Facebook. I use the active verb form because it is, like so many things, a process. You see, I’m not walking away angry, or reacting to outrage, or taking a revolutionary stand against Big Data… I’m just done with the negative changes to my cognition, to my brain chemistry, and, frankly, to my relationships. Social media hasn’t improved our relationships so much as given us a perception of connection, a veneer of the superficial imposed over the framework of real connection. The depth and authenticity are being lost. More memes, less original content. More shared articles I’ve already read elsewhere, fewer shared actual individual observations, opinions, or commentary. More advertising – a lot more advertising – and I’m no longer comfortable with the trade-off for what is, at its heart, nothing more than a hyperlinked address book of sorts, with pictures. So… I’m quitting Facebook. We’re breaking up.

It’s weird, but then, so am I, I suppose. 🙂 I’ve put a lot of thought and consideration into this, and it’s been a long time coming, supported by rather a lot of content and reading that touches on the subject of “what is social media really doing to/for us?”

I don’t actually want to lose touch with friends – old or new – or close family members. That’s not the point at all. So, I have been contacting friends in batches, letting them know I am breaking up with Facebook, and updating my contacts to enjoy a future of actual conversations (I know, right? So weird.), and email, and pictures on Instagram, which I’ve decided to keep (at least for now). It’s taking some days just to do the data entry involved with this break up – like other break ups, there’s paperwork involved. lol

I remind friends of where my blog lives, mindful that sharing it on Facebook won’t be a thing anymore. I redirect fans of my artwork from my Facebook page, to my WordPress art blog. I update my contacts as friends reach out to share their current details.

…I scroll through my Facebook feed a few more times, aware that this is symptomatic of one of the reasons I’m breaking up with Facebook; it is a huge drain on my bandwidth, without any legitimate reward. Rarely any new information gained. Too many opportunities to be immersed in drama, and negativity. Relationships colored by propaganda, trolling, and mutual outrage. Spelling errors. Russian troll bots.

…I’ll miss the pictures. Pictures of moments I did not share with my friends… possibly because it didn’t feel necessary to participate; I knew I’d see the pictures. :-\ Yikes. Yeah. Time to move on from this bad long-term relationship, Facebook, you’re no good for me. lol

Looks like I’ll be getting back more time to write… 😉 Definitely a new beginning, right here. 😀