Food is not the only plague of middle class gluttony. I have found Facebook to be treated in much the same way as food. Facebook is a social network originally designed for sharing photos and networking students. It has been expanded to be a multifaceted virtual world complete with live chat, email-like messaging, link sharing, fan collecting, group making, a marketplace, etc. Facebook has unlimited possibilities through its do-it-yourself applications that allow users to buy and raise virtual pets, make and send virtual gifts, and anything else that can be imagined. Consequently the time one can spend on Facebook is unlimited and almost as satisfying as eating a tub of Ben and Jerry’s.
Recently I have noticed a trend with Facebook that parallels weight watching after the introduction of too-convenient-food. In the same way that one repeatedly swears off of fast food, people are repeatedly giving up their Facebook accounts, only to find themselves back in a week stuffing their face with newsfeed updates (that almost seem richer after a week of fasting). I call these people the purgers. They stick a finger down their throat, because of the guilt of hours wasted or pounds gained. They’re the ones most likely to relapse. But we are all weak. The modern majority relates to their sentiments and tries to use Facebook less. Without any concrete goals, moderates promise to themselves that starting tomorrow they’ll spend less time snacking on facebook, creep less people, stick to the news feed and replies. Unfortunately, sometimes the constant worrying about facebook activity will actually increase the number of hours logged. Not unlike our dedicated dieters who find that not eating cookies only makes them want them more. Addiction strikes again.
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