Facebook to _________

Today, I had my first day of work at the a lovely coffee shop called, "Starbucks". Well, it got me thinking about a lot of things. 

First, that I missed having a "human connection". Yes, it's a Starbucks philosophy used to teach people about customer service. But, it's also very real. After traveling with Brian for three months, basically living in the twenty-four hour B and K show, I have grown very lonely the past few weeks being home. I missed being around Brian all the time. Yes, twenty-four hours a day after three months only made me more excited to wake up every morning to talk to him more. But, I also missed being around people, too. Having random conversations, and hey-- I'm home! I can speak English to people! Sweet, sweet English. 

Well, working today reminded me that speaking with others (even if it's simple chit-chat) is a part of who I am. I would consider myself shy by nature. I'm not the first to volunteer, or the first to speak in a group (one on one is more my style). But, I do love talking, making people laugh, and sharing. This usually overrides the shaking in my bones.

Second, that I hate Facebook. Really. With a deep and burning passion. How did working remind me of this? Well, it reminded me of how much time I would have spent on Facebook, scrolling endlessly, trying to find some way to reconnect with old friends, then waiting for replies. I find myself thinking, "Hey, this would make a good status" during the day. Sometimes, I'm so hung up on something I think makes me sound particularly clever, that I don't have another worthy thought for hours. 

I'm not even ashamed to admit it. If you don't think worry about your Facebook persona, or feel just a little better about people reading your stuff, then I'm pretty sure you're not human. It's human nature to want to be accepted. In fact, social rejection is basically the equivalent of being burned. The brain doesn't know the difference. Humans are desperately social, and this is the new way we socialize. 

But I hate that. I feel itchy about the fact that I am easily stalk-able. That you can get an idea of who I am without speaking to me. (In a way, blogging is similar. But, it can be more easily regulated.)  I don't feel the need to commit life events to memory, because Facebook can do that for me. And, I cannot stand that I was all up in a fuss about posting the pictures of my trip on Facebook. Why? If my friends want to see them, I should be glad to show them in person. 

I am beginning to think that Facebook is the killer of MY social life and of creativity. (I see the merit of Facebook, don't get me wrong. But I take it to a new level.)

The only thing I am afraid of, I suppose, is the black. The non-existence that I feel would come from deleting my online identity. It's a scary thing. I think I am correct in saying that Facebook is our new socialization. And to opt-out is like opting out of social loops. It'll be hard work, but I think it will be good work, fulling work, and I will be more productive, creative, social, and alive because of it.

But, hey, if a big enough solar-flare hits and the internet goes down, all this will be moot anyway.