Facebook and all Profile pages, like the blogger one, have created this issue where you need to define yourself. It's like that scene in Fight Club when Edward Norton asks what dining set completes him. We have to decide. interests. quotes. activities. What if your interests are to just get through the day? The activity could be avoiding your family. You don't have any quotes because you don't read. Your favorite movies are Full Metal Jacket and the Shining. Basically, you're an unstable, angry creature who has to make up a profile to reflect an educated, well rounded person.
What does my blogger profile say? I'm interested in neo-nazis and drug induced novels. But where's the forum to explain the last 20 years and why I chose these particular films and books? I spent years in New Jersey aware that I was Jewish but really much more interested to know why Jews are hated rather than what being Jewish means. I met neo-nazis in my high school. One in particular struck me. He was obsessed with cleanliness. It doesn't matter that I've become frum and now know what being a Jew means. I haven't forgotten the confusion and intrigue while I spoke to this guy. He told me he was looking for something to believe in. We were never that different after all.
As far as drug induced hippie idealism, my grandmother is the inspiration for that. She lived in Berkeley (yeah Cherrio) and Santa Cruz. We spoke about Berkeley in the 60's, and I'm very much aware that I missed something spectacular. Nothing like that will ever happen in our country again. If I could be anywhere, I would have been there.
These facets to our existance end up as a one word explantions on our profile pages. That's all we are.
Ode to Midwestern Snow
13 years ago
Yes, it's hard to express your life in one word. Makes writing a tombstone hard, eh?
ReplyDeleteThe same applies to other forms of online communication. Take chat, for example. When you chat, you often end up revealing things you wouldn't reveal otherwise, but it's so superficial. Some subtleties get lost when you're trying to type as quickly as possible. Other things don't get said because you have time to think before you respond. On the other hand, sometimes chat conversations can be much deeper than real life conversations. Because you share so many facts, you end up with a better understanding of the deeper things. Whatever. It's complicated.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget your interest of movies with a "strong, female lead."
ReplyDeleteHey, you changed the layout! Cool, but I would make the text a slightly darker shade, it's a bit hard to read...
ReplyDeleteNicely written. Also deep and stuff.
ReplyDeletewhy did you take away "how many times do you find yourself in this situation"? that made the whole thing!
ReplyDeleteok, ok I'll put it back up
ReplyDeletei have a love/hate relationship with statuses - facebook, gmail, what have you. how am i supposed to sum up my life or what i'm up to in one line?
ReplyDeleteBERKELEY FOREVER!!!!!!!
Also, which words you choose to describe yourself also shows a bit of your personality. Just another thought. Nice post.
ReplyDeletelol you mix up few things. facebook asks you to fill the form just for one reason-to know about you as much info as possible. why? they want to suggest you google adds that will be interesting for you-thats how they ear money. purpose of your blog is totally different. here you really express yourself. and by the way-i really love how you do this)
ReplyDelete