Pointless Facebook statuses

Internet | October 12, 2009

Can someone please tell me why anyone would post that? (Point of clarification: The blurred out part is a person.) I mean, I understand that people sometimes like using social media as an emotional outlet, but if I were ever temporarily emotionally insane enough to post something like that, I’d delete it immediately to save myself the embarrassment. And since this person posted this publically, shouldn’t she be aware that people just might comment on it?

I wouldn’t notice if this were a one-time thing, but it’s not. Every other one of this person’s statuses goes something along the lines of: “Wants to kill everyone. Fuck you all” or “ughhhh” or “Is really fucking depressed” or “Worst fucking day ever” … etc.

I also have another Facebook friend who isn’t quite as fond of the word “fuck,” but whose statuses look something like: “__ just wants to crawl up in a hole and die” or “Where’s the silver lining?” or “I hate life. I was optimistic for so long, but…” or “__ is desperate. Everything sucks.” Every time I look at this person’s FB page (which is not often, believe me), I get slightly depressed myself.

Why would anyone do that? Don’t they think that after a few of those remarks, people (including me) will just start viewing them as adults (yes, adults) still stuck in an angsty teenager woe-is-me frame of mind?

Maybe it just stems from my dislike of Twitter and Facebook statuses in general, but I don’t understand. I, personally, rarely post anything as my status, but when I do, it’s usually something people comment on or relate to. I at least try not to publicize my bad moods and bring everyone else’s spirits down in the process.

What do you usually post as your Facebook status? Hopefully nothing like any of the examples above?

13 Responses ↓

  1. Vasili says:
    10/12/2009 at 901pm

    I. can’t. stand. those. stupid. statuses.

    I don’t usually update my status, but if I do it’s usually something about homework or a party.

    What’s really starting to bother me is all the people saying something along the lines of “AP sucks”, “AP is soooooo hard.” One day, the entire front page of statuses was those types; I was ready to scream at all of them. :P

    Reply
  2. Adam says:
    10/12/2009 at 919pm

    Oh, I agree. Those statuses are basically just attention-seeking, made obvious by the “not explaining on facebook” comment. If they’re not going to explain, they shouldn’t bother writing it in the first place.

    I update my status once every month or two, I guess. I try to write something interesting (and it seems to work, as I generally get at least a few comments on it).

    Reply
  3. Adam says:
    10/12/2009 at 919pm

    That first bit barely made sense, whoops. I meant that people who write those statuses are attention-seeking…

    Reply
  4. Regina says:
    10/12/2009 at 939pm

    I usually use my statuses to post, well, things that i’ve done/will be doing, or funny quotes :P
    I hate it when people post depressing and cryptic messages that no one gets. The whole point of statuses is to let people know what you’re doing (I think statuses are useless, but for the sake of this argument I’ll just pretend they’re not), not to rant about something and expect people to feel sorry for you.

    Reply
  5. Manda says:
    10/12/2009 at 1035pm

    I usually just have a song lyric or two as my status. Rarely do I ever put anything else – I use Twitter as my outlet! :P

    Reply
  6. chervalier says:
    10/13/2009 at 147am

    heh wow awesome observation! Most of my friends’ are like what you’ve mentioned too.. Let’s list the past 5 ones of mine to see if they annoy you…

    Most recent one first..
    1) Cherlynn is blasting “Shut Up” by Black Eyed Peas out my window to the #$%^&@ noisy neighbours. Think they’ll get the point?

    2) Cherlynn is disappointed
    3) Cherlynn cannot believe she spelt Singapore SingFapore.. omg ><
    4) Cherlynn is happy that TGIFriday's is coming to Singfapore!! Sad that they're taking over Balcony but BUFFALO WINGS FTW!!!

    5) Cherlynn tried counting sheep to fall asleep before but they jumped over the fence too damn quickly!!! Stupid sheep.

    I think mine are alright.. I dunno what you'd think lol. Perhaps my entire comment might have annoyed you already. Hah. If so, I apologize deeply.

    Thanks for commenting on my blog by the way, about the telemarketers. They suck BIG TIME.

    Reply
    • Meg says:
      10/13/2009 at 1109am

      Haha, see, I think those statuses are cute. I don’t mind random statuses that are interesting; it’s the same “woeeeee is meee my life is so hardddd” statuses over and over again that I think take up too much space on my news feed.

      And I quite enjoyed your long comment!

      Reply
  7. nadine says:
    10/13/2009 at 218am

    Random stuff like, Nadine is awesome. :D

    Reply
  8. Ann says:
    10/13/2009 at 328am

    I was going to mention Twitter..!
    Meh, I suppose I post the irrelevant status every now and then (but NOT the emo/attention seeking ones), and mostly fill my twitter with them, but I guess it’s nice for me to tell SOMEONE what I’m doing, and think that they might be interested. I’m always interested in what other people are doing.

    Mind you, most of that applies to Twitter.

    Reply
  9. Clem says:
    10/13/2009 at 347pm

    OH MY GOSH, MEG, have you seen lamebook.com? It’s like Failblog just for Facebook. :D

    I don’t use Facebook like that. I probably update my status a few times a week at most. I don’t want a lot of my “friends” to know everything I’m thinking; I tend to use Twitter and DW/LJ as an outlet.

    My last few statuses have been

    STILL REALLY SICK D:
    is still sick
    home sick
    feels disgusting
    This is the best and Aisling Brock gets all the credit for showing me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zcOFN_VBVo

    … yep. :P I’m not very interesting. Usually I post links on my statuses, except when I’m feeling sick. Then I just complain!

    Reply
  10. Lexie says:
    10/14/2009 at 902am

    I haven’t updated my status on Facebook in a few days I think my last status update was posted in a moment of desperation. My desktop wouldn’t start up and I had no one else to ask so I posted a status message asking if anyone was willing to help me.

    The ones before that were status messages from other people that I decided to repost because they were messages calling for volunteers for relief operations dedicated to helping victims of the typhoon that hit our country a few weeks ago.

    Reply
  11. Latrina says:
    10/14/2009 at 940am

    My facebook status is usually random things — but normally stuff people would have an input on. Although I’m sure I’ve posted stuff like “..having a bad day because–” but it’s usually stupid stuff that people could get a laugh out of it & start up jokes.

    I agree with you though. I have a lot of friends who use their status input as an outlet for bitching. :|

    Btw, hope you feel better!

    Reply
  12. Britney says:
    10/19/2009 at 1227pm

    I try to post more interesting things as my status. I hate those pointless statuses as well.

    Reply

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