Online Status Update Addiction

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have picked up a new pet peeve. It involves something like this:

Facebook Recently Updated Statuses
Person X is "going to starbucks!" 3:32p
Person X is "writing my english paper" 3:58p
Person X is "wanting to go shopping" 4:15p
Person X is "procrastinating" 4:16p

Try this on for size: Person X "needs to get a life that does not consist of incessantly updating his status with myriad hopes that someone actually gives a shit what he's doing".

For those foreign to the world of facebook (or myspace too), people can keep up with what their friends are doing through something called a 'mini-feed'. One can see when someone changes their profile picture, is in a new relationship, has ended their relationship, comments on someone's profile, and basically every time someone blinks. Facebook is basically the big-mouthed friend that everyone secretly wishes comes down with laryngitis.

Through facebook, one can update their status. Facebook asks "What are you doing right now?" and you can tell all. Except in all actuality, no one really cares to get a play-by-play of your life. Unless you're a creepy stalker. Sure, the occasional, witty status update is enjoyable to read. But updating one's status every hour on the hour is pushing it. Hell, its bulldozing it! So why do people do it? Need for Attention? Compulsive Obsession? Pure Boredom?

For what it's worth, here's my theory: people are attempting to advertise and sell themselves by way of technology! People want others to know who they are, their personality. Through these status updates, one can easily "put themselves out there". Their stance on an issue (Person X is "Obama 08!!!"), their favorite hangout (Person X is "going to Rum Runners tonight"), their favorite sport's team (Person X is "GO COWBOYS!"), or any old subject.

No harm in allowing people the pleasure of getting to know you. Just do it the right way which doesn't consist of updating a web-based, big-mouthed friend. There is no need to lay it all out there; if one happens upon a conversation about a subject they're passionate about, then by all means share your opinion.

In a world where everything is turning to technology, human interaction and communication should not take that turn. Whatever happened to face-to-face conversations really getting to know someone? Enough with the status updates. Grab a life.