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When Orkut finally logs out in September, I will definitely remember it but won’t miss it much thanks to Facebook. Orkut was
Linked to
the world
As news of Orkut
signing out of cyber space started doing the rounds, a sense of déjà vu sank
in. For us, Orkut would always be special. For, it was our first brush with social
networking cutting across distance, cities and even countries. This was where
we first discovered our long lost friends, kept in touch with colleagues and
relative and shared our precious moments captured in camera with our nearest
and dearest ones. That was time when people used to look in aghast at those who
were not part of Orkut. That was till Facebook arrived on the scene and became
a part and parcel of our lives.
When Orkut finally logs out in September, I will definitely remember it but won’t miss it much thanks to Facebook. Orkut was
Facebook is
now like our cup of morning tea – if we don’t check it once we get up we don’t
get that kick that refreshes us for the rest of the day – and also like the
daily newspaper – if we don’t read it we miss out on the daily updates of
friends and all that they have shared.
Now with
smartphones in every hand, not being online on FB 24x7 is almost like being an
outcast.
Like on
Facebook is full of action; it makes the most introvert person in real life and
outspoken and witty in the cyber world. It’s a 24/7 competition for many who
keep on posting status almost every hour to outdo each other.
While some
self-proclaimed models feel FB is a platform to showcase their pictures, others
post pictures of their babies daily as if it’s a baby book. And still many others click pictures just to
post them no matter how small is the occasion is or whether it’s any occasion
at all. If it’s an outstation trip, then a new album or multiple albums follow
suit.
Some give a
daily dose of their lives, about their mood, what’s in menu, husband’s new ways
of romancing, kids’ daily progress, books to read, movies to watch, just random
videos and thoughts and what not.
One
of my office colleagues, who thinks he is a scholar, always is after those who
are into Facebooking, “What will happen to today’s youth who is wasting time on
Facebook.” I am sure he is not alone, but I want to tell them that it may be sheer
madness but Facebook has its own charm.
On the flip
side, then there are human bugs who have the irritating habit of tagging – and
bugging -- all in whatever they post. A Facebook friend’s friend used to tag me
in everything – right from her good morning wish and different thoughts
throughout the day and end with a good night. I had to put my friend in the acquaintance
list because of that taggy friend of hers.
Then there
are those who take pride in declaring their smallest of achievement with élan,
giving others the chance to mock at them. Once I had a message war with one of
my ex-colleagues who was upset because I forgot to click the ‘like’ button when
she posted about her local beauty pageant success.
Many make
their relationship public and some even declare break-ups on Facebook. Once
when it happened with one of my relatives, the boy had to say sorry to the girl
when people started sending him hate messages because of breaking a
relationship with a girl on a social network.
But then
Facebook is not about sharing random things. Time and again, it has played a
very important role in spreading important information and uniting masses – be
it the Anna movement or the December 16 rape aftermath in Delhi.
Sometimes I
wonder how life will be without Facebook. As I deleted Orkut account today, I
thank my stars that I have Facebook to keep me connected to the world.
