Do you farm out your status updates?

Lazy people are taking over the Earth. Too many take the path of least resistance, follow the pack, and turn off their minds. Hollywood does nothing but produce sequels to popular movie franchises and bring old TV shows to the big screen. Some days, I struggle to find people in the crowd who have an original idea or thought. It's disheartening.

Now, yet further evidence of the dumbing down of America is the Status Shuffle on Facebook. I don't know if it's because I'm a writer, but this application really gets my goat (if I had a goat, that is). Basically, the Status Shuffle is for those people who are too downright lazy to tell their friends what's up. The app gives you a variety of funny lines to choose from (see the one below and try not to blow soy milk out your nose), you select the one you like, and voila your wacky, templated, status update goes up on your wall and out to your friends.


Maybe the boring, the dimwitted, and the stupid need this kind of leg up to compete in the cutthroat world of status updates. I mean, how's Average Joe suppose to keep his online friends if he just tells them he had a great day golfing. Or, is Generic Jane really going to get Terrific Ted to accept her friend request if her last status update says "Took my dog to the new dog park today. Lots of nice people and doggies there!" Heck no! Jane and Joe are doomed without the canned wit of Status Shuffle, right?

Alright, I can already hear you all now. "It's just for fun, Amber. Lighten up." Yeah, yeah, I get that. I guess I just don't like it.

If my friend, Andy Accountant, is a bore, well, I expect that his update will be a snooze. I'm not expecting him to resort to Status Shuffle to make him the funny guy that he simply isn't. Go ahead and post a status update that says you got a new pocket protector today, Andy. That's the real you! Using the Status Shuffle update of "I hate mosquitoes!!! I mean, I know I'm delicious but damn..." is ridiculous.

I guess it boils down to being genuine. Yeah, it's just a fun app. Woo hoo! But, if you're in my online network, it's because I like you. You, just the way you are.

Now tell me how your day really was. I'd like to know...

12 comments:

  1. The tarnishing of social networking into a verde gris crust covering real people. #fail to those who implement. And an 'unfriend-infollow' from me. Love your blog Amber!

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  2. I wouldn't like it, but I'd take this over the Farmville updates, anyday.

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  3. I couldn't agree more! I want to know about the "real" you. Great blog post. :)

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  4. Bob: Verde gris crust? I think I had a piece of pie on Memorial Day that was made with that! Ok, bad joke, but it was MINE and not a template ;-> Anyway, I completely concur with you! Unfriend and unfollow, indeed! And, thanks so much for the compliment, Bob. I really appreciate you taking the time to brighten my day!

    Dana: Thank goodness that I don't see any Farmville updates! I think that would drive me batty, too!

    Sukhraj: Yay! The good, the bad, and the ugly, right? It's all about being real, baby! :-> (Thanks for the nice words, Sukhraj!)

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  5. i have a really sweet "older" friend who uses the status shuffle occasionally. I have to admit, they are cleverly written, but it's clear when reading her status posts that she has not written them herself. It's in a diff color or something (totally embarrassing). If I was ever going to steal a line, I think I would type it in myself and try to pass it off as my own...ha ha!

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  6. Anonymous: There you go! Good, old-fashioned plagiarism! Now, THAT'S all-American!

    Yes, it also says on the bottom that it's an app (although it amazes me how many people don't ever look at the fine print on apps). Maybe, I'm looking at this all wrong. Instead of slamming the shuffle, maybe I should apply to be one of their writers! I've got good lines! >> Thanks for chiming in on the conversation!

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  7. I agree with you, Amber. I'd rather get no update from a friend if it was a canned auto-update.

    I also think you nailed it here: If you know someone is a bore in real life, why would you want to see them pretend to be interesting? Talk about the ultimate fraud!

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  8. Tom: Thanks for your comment. It's all about being authentic, right? Just be yourself. That's all that really matters. ;->

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  9. I agree. It most irks me when people copy and paste the facebook shuffle and give credit to themselves.

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  10. Anonymous: Thanks for commenting! I concur. Plagiarism is an inexcusable offense.

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  11. I agree...I just saw one today from a very funny friend of mine and replied that her status was ALWAYS better than the one that she got from status shuffle!

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  12. Yay! Two points for authenticity! Thanks, Cathie!

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