published in assam tribune, Good bye Orkut, thank you Facebook!

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/showpage.asp?id=Sunday_Reading,2,348,216,1068,717

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

 

good as start-up, but Facebook with its vast options is way ahead. It is like switching from a basic cell phone to a touchscreen smartphone –like we remember our first Nokia 3315 that would not break even if thrown on the floor but don’t miss it as now we have our iphones, Samsung Galaxy phones or the Nokia Lumias.

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.