There is an Aunty Acid joke on Facebook doing the rounds which says ‘Exit Facebook, close laptop, get into bed, unlock phone, check Facebook. True story’. With the many likes and shares it is getting, it is obvious that it’s something many can identify with.
‘Facebooking’, although completing several years now, is a trend that shows no signs of waning. This popular social networking site has come a long way; no longer is it limited to being a means to stay connected with friends and family. With new features being constantly added to keep the users interested, Facebook posts are becoming ‘curiouser and curiouser’.
From LOL pictures of puppies at play to the growing years of a baby, from words to inspire to a space to vent angst, all are busy filling their walls these days.
When Brinda Nair began ‘Facebooking’ in 2009, it was to document the growing years of her children, Anjana and Niranjan. Although it’s still a journal for her to note the various achievements and landmarks in her children’s lives, Facebook now doubles up as a photo album. “My family and I like visiting historical sites and offbeat places and I upload the photographs I have taken which I feel capture the sights and sound of the site. I occasionally give a brief about the place while posting the photographs; this is so that my children can refer and remember those times when they are older.”
While Brinda might be trying to preserve memories, Aparna George hopes to create a “kitchen garden revolution” through Facebook.
A woman with green fingers, Aparna George posts pictures of the bounties from her kitchen garden on her page. “Some of my friends were inspired by the pictures to take up kitchen gardening. Growing vegetables is something everyone can do despite the limited spaces at homes these days. I would like more and more people to take up kitchen gardening and hope the pictures of my garden’s produce inspire them,” says Aparna.
Television cookery host Jagee John has three pages that are devoted to cooking, health and beauty. All three, she says, are to “help people”.
Arjun Ravindran provides “information” on Facebook too. An ardent movie buff, he uses The ScrewDriver, a page he has opened on the social networking site to air his views on the movies he has watched. He finds posts people place about their personal lives amusing and stays clear of doing so himself.
“Why would I want to know what you had for breakfast? I believe in supporting social causes and uploading links to the various causes and events in town.”
If you are passionate about a hobby, then Facebook is the place to share your interest with the world at large. There are Bibliophiles who post their list of favourite reads plus reading lists for the month/week while travellers and bikers exchange information about places to visit, routes to be taken and so on.
‘Selfies’ is a current fad on Facebook. While many upload pictures of themselves [selfies] alone, posting ‘selfies’ with friends, family and celebrities are a norm too. ‘Checking in’ at restaurants, hotels and the like with friends and family is popular too. Nelson John uses this feature on Facebook to keep his friends and family updated on the places he has been. “It also reminds me of the places, be it a restaurant, a beach or an eatery I have been to and the memories associated with it.”
Then there are quite a few activists who use their page to promote a cause they believe in and gather supporters for the same. Views are shared, people are mobilised and photographs of different events duly put up to be liked, shared and gushed over.
Facebook is also the latest place for professionals and entrepreneurs to market their products and services. Right from plugging their merchandise to marketing it, they make their pages a happening place. Film stars such as Indrajith, Murali Gopy, Manju Warrier, Fahadh Faasil, Prithviraj and Amala Paul also have pages that have them posting tit bits about their latest films and characters.
From a place to upload photographs, a place to preserve memories, a platform to share knowledge… what is your post going to be?
