Why Facebook Is Like Karaoke

As a kid, and throughout early adulthood, I thought that most people could sing passably well.  This impression was based, I suppose, on group singing in school and church.  The results were mostly pleasant.  Hearing people sing along with a song on the radio or hi-fi seemed to further bear out the feeling that most of us can carry a tune.

Then karaoke came to America.  First popular in Japan, it quickly caught on in the states, and for the first time, I really listened to individual singing critically.   The reality is that singing is difficult, and something that few of us manage to do well, and even fewer do well while drinking.

Facebook has caused me to re-examine another assumption: that most people are nice.  In my day-to-day dealings, most of my encounters with other people are pleasant.  Granted, the majority of these interactions are superficial, but even when discussing issues that are contentious, most people, in person, behave well, or at least are civil.  Even in correspondence (e-mail has rejuvenated written communication!) most folks behave decently.

Not so, on Facebook.  Often, postings are no less than an opening salvo, daring anyone, anywhere to disagree, and preemptively disparaging those as mentally ill, stupid, or evil.  Exchanges can quickly degenerate to name-calling and sarcasm.  Much of this behavior, I believe, can be explained as cowardice, the same kind of behavior as road rage – anti-social action without fear of consequence. 

I joined Facebook about half a year ago for professional reasons.  I am still finding my way around, and will be the first to admit that I have sometimes taken the bait, and engaged in more than one “Facebook Fight,” but I try not to take cheap shots and I don’t hit below the belt. 

Singing is a talent that can be improved with practice, but if you’ve got bad pipes and/or a tin ear, you’re pretty much stuck with what you’ve got.  Behavior is a choice.

Just because we disagree shouldn’t mean that we can’t get along.