Misunderstood

I am slowly learning that trying to explain your thoughts or opinion about something on Facebook is an exercise in futility.

The message is almost surely lost in translation.  My experiences/observations over the past week or so break down something like this:

Chance you will offend someone...40-50%

Chance you will spark a debate you never intended to start...65-75%

Chance you will be personally insulted...70% (for me personally, it's only about 10% because I have nice FB friends but some of the stuff I have read on other people's walls is UNREAL)

Chance you will incite others to write passive-aggressive status updates on their own wall...40%

The initial topic doesn't even have to be controversial-- trust me, it will BECOME controversial once posted.

In order to reduce drama in my life, I'm trying to teach myself the art of "keeping my mouth shut". Or in this case, "keeping my fingers off the keyboard".  Because even when I think my contribution is fair-minded or that is adds a logical point, it will never be received this way on social media.

And after all, I don't have to comment on everything my friends post.  I don't have to jump into every debate, right?  That is the hazard of spending too much time online in the evenings.  I admit it, I get sucked in.

At least here in bloggyland, there is a little more space to expand on a point, to clarify your meaning.  And I feel like if I have been reading a blog long enough, I understand the author enough to hear the right tone and inflection in whatever they present.

So even if I happen to disagree or have another idea, it's easier to let things be or to just thank someone for sharing their ideas.

So in FB land, I'm going to try to avoid all that nonsense and maybe spend a little more time in this space.  I want to write more but I just can't seem to get back into the routine of it.  And I really miss it!