Today In Society

Cory

Just going on Facebook reminds me of all of the pessimists in the world, especially when it comes to religion. My reply is normally goes a little something like this.

"Who are you to say god does or doesn't exist? The universe is beautiful and powerful, but most importantly Infinite. In an infinite universe, there are infinite possibilities, so don't go around denying everybody's beliefs accept your own, because that will get you nowhere in the social world. Not believing in the power of life and the universe will be the thing that kills you."

MoonIzAMoore

Totally agree. My friend on Facebook is attacked daily in what are supposed to be support groups because he does not believe in God. He was told at some point that his illness was his punishment and until he believed, he would never be well. Although support groups on FB help a lot of people, the insults and arguing make you not even feel like you are getting support. @Cory, glad you posted this. Xx

DaltheJigsaw

Cory said:

Just going on Facebook reminds me of all of the pessimists in the world, especially when it comes to religion. My reply is normally goes a little something like this.

"Who are you to say god does or doesn't exist? The universe is beautiful and powerful, but most importantly Infinite. In an infinite universe, there are infinite possibilities, so don't go around denying everybody's beliefs accept your own, because that will get you nowhere in the social world. Not believing in the power of life and the universe will be the thing that kills you."

Facebook is a virtual world created by people who want to live in a virtual world. LOL!:)

Invincible_summer

I just completely avoid posting in "Groups" on Facebook. Way too much drama and ego-stroking.

Nevermind

Cory said:

Not believing in the power of life and the universe will be the thing that kills you.

This part especially probably doesn't help matters. Thoughts of death have a nasty way of deepening polarities.

Cory

Nevermind said:

This part especially probably doesn't help matters. Thoughts of death have a nasty way of deepening polarities.

I would have to partially disagree with that, because it could also be a way of convincing the person that the matter is imortant.

misecmisc1

let people share what their views are - after all, every view is just a view - and having view and experiencing truth are different things.

chela

I have been increasingly aware of Right Speech. I see how others post anything that comes to mind, without giving the slightest thought (apparently) about the effects to others' psyche. I try not to do this (anymore), and have had to hide some "friends" because of the complete negativity. I have decided to try to use FB just to spread positivity and love, so I have found some pages that generally share positive quotes and things like that, and I share them with the thought of inspiring someone to be more positive in their day. But you take some negative with the positive, no matter what kind of socializing you are doing. It's best to try not to get too attached to anyone else's idea or opinion unless you find it really helpful in some way.

Brian

I learned long, long ago to just not respond or argue with people on Facebook. If someone posts something you disagree with, let it go.

karasti

FB has a lot of pros. There are a lot of cons, too, but mostly it's on each person to avoid the cons. It's quite possible. That is why FB has features like block, and control over your newsfeed and stuff. Not only do you have the choice to not respond to stuff you don't like, you have a decent amount of control about not seeing it at all. Of course, sometimes those people are your family, but again, you still have a choice to ignore what they say. People say what they are going to say, and it's not up to you (as in anyone) to correct them all the time. I try to treat people's FB walls as their home. Yes, some people have them set up more publicly but if I wouldn't walk into that person's house and say it, then I won't say it on their wall, either. I'm completely entitled to say, do and believe whatever I want in my own home. As well as my FB wall. If people don't like it, they need to not read it. Not try to change my mind.

Theswingisyellow

To the OP: In a society bereft of ethics, morals and finding the sacred in life, from a society that offers up nihilism, narcissism, greed, spectacle and where everything is a commodity; what would one expect? We are awash in the three poisons.
@cory-"Not believing in the power of life and the universe will be the thing that kills you."
I think this is very true.
What can we do? Look for the shining things in life, look at what we do as individuals-be our own lamps unto the world.

Theswingisyellow

FB strikes me as having a great potential to spead ideas, a venue to speaks openly regarding society, politics, philosophy and religion. But instead one gets to see a picture of someone's lunch. I deleted my FB account.

karasti

@Theswingisyellow then that says more about the people you added than FB itself. There is a TON of idea exchange that happens on FB if you know where to look and they are pretty easy to find. The people who post nothing but duck faced pictures of themselves in their car quickly are removed from my newsfeed or my friends list.

vinlyn

Facebook, like much of the internet, is what you make of it.

My biggest problem is how difficult it is to search for people who have common names.

Theswingisyellow

@karasti-Your probably right. My experience with FB has been with people I primarily work with, lots of ego pumping self promotion with absolutely no attempt at any type of constructive commentary. I viewed it as a waste. So this created a bit of a bad taste for me. As @vinlyn states "Facebook, like much of the internet, is what you make of it" rings true.

Dandelion

In the past I had an on off relationship with Facebook. These days I like it, and find it useful. I run a group on there for artists that want to find other artists to exhibit their work with, in group shows here in London. I've made some really good artist friends via this that I probably would never have met otherwise, and met them in person via 'gatherings' that are organised through the group. You can use Facebook HOWEVER you like, as is pretty much what @vinlyn has said... so enjoy that freedom! Don't throw the baby out with the bath water I say when it comes to social media.. just exercise your control with the settings, and be clear in your mind what you want Facebook etc, to do for you to benefit your life. Until I realised I needed to be more clear in my mind, just what exactly I wanted Facebook for, I found it difficult. But I don't think it is for everyone.. some people are very private and find the concept strange, each to their own I say. I agree with @Brian about not arguing on F.B too; humans haven't evolved enough to be able to communicate in their 'natural' (probably not quite the right word, but it is the best I can do right now), way over the internet.. there is something about being behind a computer and the way we communicate, which I.M.O is quite different to how we communicate in person, probably something to do with us not having body language to read, perhaps. I think it can make us disassociate from seeing people as actual human beings with their own lives, problems, and emotions. We don't seem to soften as much as we can do when having a conversation with someone sat in front of us, I believe it makes us a bit inflexible in our opinions because we don't have the benefit of a more real human contact that as humans, we are designed to have. I wonder though, if in years to come, that gap will close a little as children being born today will be brought up socialising on electronic media just as much as socialising in person (hopefully social media won't take over!), and will have a better, and more innate understanding of how to communicate constructively via electronic media. Or maybe, I am too optimistic, I don't know! Up until Dec last yr my sister was living in Saudi. Facebook was a great way to have free communication with her (Skype I find hit and miss with the quality), and without Facebook communication would have been more difficult and less practical. It isn't as good as real human contact, but it (for me anyway), serves a valuable purpose.