I have friends who love quotes. They post them on their facebook, as their IM status, on tumblr and twitter.
I also appreciate quotes - I have posted a few on my own tumblr and read the quotes of the people I follow. But I’ve never really understood why people would post lists and lists of quotes on to their “about me” section on facebook. It’s hard to imagine that the words of another person (whom they often do not know) can describe in words about you that you yourself can write.
I guess I’ve always had a relatively impersonal relationship with quotes. I read them, agree or disagree, think it’s original or funny, then move on. I suppose that’s a little ironic to have such a fleeting relationship with words that have withstood the test of time.
In a society where social media is often one of the first impressions, introduced early in a new relationship, I’ve been pondering the way people represent themselves, I suppose, on such sites. Photos, relationships, the number of friends, your schools, your major, your favorites.. It’s easy for people to think they know a person these days, isn’t it?
I’m not saying people with quotes on their page is bad or anything, I just think it’s interesting. I wonder why they choose it. I wonder if people think what others think when they write them, or post what they post.
And me? My info page is pretty much the bare minimum. But I do have tons of photos with my friends, I don’t delete posts for privacy or hide my photos from friends. I don’t post relationships or make groups of friends. I don’t think anything would be considered surprising by the people who’ve met me (even if just once or twice).
I bet if I posted a status (that didn’t involve promoting some event or club), people will think I’m wasted or hacked.
And if I posted a quote? “What’s got you all philosophical?”
