I know most everyone is going ga ga over the eclipse that is
set to split America for the first time in ninety-nine years. People are in a
frenzy scrambling to get their hands on last minute “solar eclipse glasses” on
Amazon and all kinds of online retailers. I however kind of wish it were an
eclipse of the Internet that was on its way instead.
Why because in my humble big fat Greek opinion, something
special has died and I just have to get it off my chest. Social media on the Internet
has gone from something totally unique that connected people in way it never
had before in history to one big giant commercial advertisement. Which leads me
to the following thoughts. (WARNING:
Greek Girl rant about to ensue)
Dear facebook,
If it’s not broke, please don’t fix it. Now I can imagine
that all of the millennials over at corporate headquarters get twitchy and
itchy if they don’t have something new and innovate to keep changing. However,
here’s a request straight from one of your millions of users… please stop.
Because, we the everyday users don’t actually don’t “like” it (no pun
intended… well, maybe some).
Here’s an idea, how about we change the term “social media” to “social advertising”. Because the spark of genius that was the
magic of Facebook has died. The brilliant invention that enabled a person in Timbuktu
to connect to a total stranger, musician, business, blog, or what have you in
East Jupeepee no longer exists.
It has been replaced by advertising. So Joe Blow in Timbuktu
will no longer organically see a post from a person, musician or, business in
East Jupeepee unless that person, musician, or business pays to have Joe Blow see it. This is how technology went from a
stroke of brilliance to a nuisance.
Thus more and more people are disconnecting from social
media altogether. Sad, but it is true. All of that just so Facebook could go
public and increase profits. I suspect that in the long run Facebook will eventually
go the way of Myspace. Haven’t really seen or heard of too many people itching
to hop on MySpace and check out the latest meme (just sayin).
Since when did the average person have to have a rocket
science degree to admin his or her own Facebook business, band or musician
page? And I’m not just saying that because I have a head injury (really I do have one, but all kidding aside)
I was on Facebook for like two hours the other night configuring, or shall I say,
“trying”
to configure the apps on my musician page.
Somehow the Instagram got disconnected and the Twitter again
for about the third time in a month… I reconnect it, then it disconnects
without my knowledge. Next thing you know, Facebook posts are not posting to
twitter and so on.
Here’s a shocking bit of information for Facebook to
consider: not everyone has a “social media manager” on staff operating
their account. Now I can imagine that you all love to talk techie and swap ways
to “innovate” and improve the “user experience”; however as one of the
millions of users, seriously, please stop. It is beyond obnoxious every time we
get the hang of something and figure out where in God’s name you all hid the
button to operate a tab or function, you all flipping change it again. Honest
to Pete… it’s lunacy.
It’s not “The Jetsons” and we’re not living inside a computer
world (yet)… so please for the love
of all that is left that is good and right in the world, STOP CHANGING THINGS!
Which brings me to my next gripe… Google. You all are just
as bad. Seriously that film “The Circle”
anyone seen it? Probably not because it didn’t do so well at the box office. I would
bet the powers that be at Facebook and Google got together in a secret meeting
and put the kabash on the advertising for that film. It is a frighteningly
accurate portrayal of what I imagine the corporate world of Facebook and Google
to be.
Get this one: I am “not allowed” to post the link to my own
songs on “iTunes” because it “violates Google policy, and is spam”?
Seriously… HELLO Google, I’m an “Independent Recording Artist” which means, no
record label paying for songs to be promoted on radio, film, TV and lets not
forget to be actually SEEN by my own followers on Facebook. Followers who
clicked the “like” button of their own volition, meaning they wanted to
actually see what I am posting. (Not only
when I am paying you to show it to them) If posting my music on my own page
(that people sign up to follow mind you
of their own will) is “spam” then
what in the heck in the world is the point of being on social media at all?
Besides the fact that Google is just as bad as Facebook when
it comes to changing things. It’s like a bunch of techie minions sitting around
in Silicon Valley trying to figure out the most outrageous way to keep people
confused. They change things even more than Facebook, and good luck trying to
figure out where and what they did with a feature when they do. Since when did
a person need a college degree in Computer Programming to manage their Google
and Google plus accounts? Sheesh.
Lets not even get into YouTube (the left arm of Google – and
when I say left I do mean left) censoring
videos for monetization that it politically disagrees with. How’s that “free
speech” thing working out for you all… hmmm? Profanity is allowed to run
amuck all over YouTube, and Facebook will allow a livestream of a GANG RAPE and
even a MURDER. But boy oh boy… you best not post anything that conflicts with a
left leaning ideology… whatchout.
What on earth? HELLO can anyone say Orwell? Holy bananas
batman, it’s seriously getting beyond absurd. No wonder people are leaving social
media in droves, and unplugging from technology all together. Can’t say I blame
them.
Thus my suggestion to change the name from “Social Media” to “Social Advertising”. Better yet, make that, “Social PAID Advertising”.
Stepping off my soapbox now. That’s all… carry on. Enjoy the Solar Eclipse wherever you
may be watching from (and don’t forget your glasses).
Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
