After the debacle of the Cambridge Analytica breach, I was done with you! We were already on shaky ground anyway, you and I. But seeing Mark (Zuckerberg) defend his position and decisions around the data breach, just made up my mind. His playful responses at the US congressional hearings then cemented my decision.
This decision was further influenced by his insincere apologies in televised interviews. I mean Mark, c’mon! If you’re going to apologize do it sincerely at least. So after all of that, I was definitely ready to go.
I wrote the breakup letter. I deleted all of my photos – well except for a few where I looked kind of cute! I un-friended all those people I’d wanted to un-friend all along, and I was gone.
But then I realized…
Facebook is very cunning and foresaw the future! It purchased Instagram – which I love! It also purchased WhatsApp. I realized then that I would likely remain locked into an unhealthy co-dependent relationship with Facebook. It might be for the foreseeable future, and that would happen whether I liked it or not.
If that wasn’t bad enough another thing happened. This thing meant that the likelihood of me being able to leave this relationship of broken trust and exploitation was greatly diminished. What could that thing be? I hear you ask.
Facebook Groups
Yup! I started to be invited to join a number of Facebook groups with people I admired and respected. I wanted to say to these group members: No! I will not be a part of this madness! But then I’d read and comment on the posts or share a post, and I’d feel connected.
I even started to watch Jada Pinkett Smith’s “Red Table Talks,” which were shown on Facebook Live. How could you Jada? How could you??? Transparent conversation and real talk on a platform that needed it most? Too much!
I had to accept that despite all attempts to turn Facebook into Mark’s money-making-machine, at its root it still connected me with others of like-mind. It connected me with something real and true. Despite its best efforts, may I add.
I want you to know I’m watching you Facebook. I think you and I need a bit of therapy to heal this damaged relationship. I’m still waiting for you to take ownership for your part in things. I take ownership of the fact that I allowed you to become too important in my life.
Maybe we’ll get through this, and maybe we won’t. Only time will tell.
—
What’s your take on what you just read? Comment below or write a response and submit to us your own point of view or reaction here at the red box, below, which links to our submissions portal.
◊♦◊
Sign up for our Writing Prompts email to receive writing inspiration in your inbox twice per week.
Photo by William Iven on Unsplash
