Strange facebookers...

Facebook is a strange place. Everyone in it knows (or ought to) that it isn't a good place to discuss issues, serious issues. It's a fun place to argue over movies, look at pictures, and chat about nonsense. It is NOT a proper venue for serious debate.

Part of this is because of the nature of facebook. You can't restrict your discussions to certain people. No matter who you're talking to, chances are that you or she has a friend with a completely opposite viewpoint.  Chances are you have lots of them. Chances are you also have friends that don't put much stock in actually debating. Often they will just want to either shout you down, get the last word, or argue needlessly. This is easy to ignore, to a degree, but as soon as the first person takes the bait then the thread degrades.  I often take discussions into the 'message' realm because it's nigh on impossible to keep a thought straight with all the taunting and flaming going on.

I got blasted by some facebook friends yesterday for one of my posts. I posted a quote because i found it to be insightful for my life. However, some people found it offensive in some way and brought meaning out of it that, for me, wasn't there. I can't answer for what was implied or suggested, because much of that is in the eye of the beholder. I could just sit around and post links to movie trailers and silly quotes i read on cereal boxes, but i try to post stuff that people are genuinely interested in. I like to discuss everything i post. That's why i get baffled when people start posting personal semi-attacks as replies.

None of us is perfect. It's important to realize that. If you really believe this, then we have to conclude that occasionally the things we say and think are wrong. In my book, that's OK. That's why i like discussion on facebook. It's an imperfect platform for an imperfect discussion. We're all trying to figure out this crazy life. If you've got the answers then GREAT, you have no need of silly discussions. I'm trying to figure it out with some help from this crazy bunch of lunatics i've designated 'friends' on facebook. please don't take it personally. I learn from what i read. i try to take something from every discussion, both in-person and virtual.