Three simple words. That's all it took. Not the best chosen in retrospect and posted in circumstances that were neither rather rational nor sober. Typed in, logged out, power off, sleep.
Farewell cruel world.
That's what I typed into the 'what's on your mind' box of my Facebook page and hit enter. I wasn't prepared for the consternation this rather melodramatic but (to me anyway) benign way of signing off for the evening would cause, however. The next day, while I was struggling to overcome the inevitable hangover at work, I was met by all manner of messages on Facebook asking if I was ok and if I was still alive. Seriously?? While touched by the messages I thought it odd that people had taken the post to be a potential suicide note. If it had read 'I can't take this anymore' or 'I can't go on' then that I could understand. But 'Farewell cruel world'? A provocative statement, yes. But a little too dramatic to indicate anything more than to elicit a response... oh ok I admit it - I was subconsciously trolling!
Trying to look at it from my friends' perspective, I can understand their concern. It also made me think about how, in this age of increasingly electronic and abbreviated communication, words can be misunderstood, misconstrued, taken out of context and the like. A throwaway comment from one person could be taken to meaning something else totally by the receiver, especially if it was meant to be delivered with an ironic slant. Without the intonation of voice to get the context of the message across, the words are just open to all manner of interpretation, depending on the person or even just the mood they are in.
I'm terrible for that - a post could come through and even if there is a hint of ambiguity about it, the question "what do they mean by that??" will be rattling round my head, seeking a resolution. And being the insecure person I am, I seem to automatically assign a negative aspect to it. It's a hard habit to break, but I'm getting there... I like to think.
I just hope that electronic communication doesn't replace verbal communication - while it is a convenient and expeditious way of keeping in touch, it comes with some serious drawbacks if misused... I'm envisioning World War III scenarios here.
As for me, I think I need to keep away from social networking sites when I've had a skinful. It's gotten me into so much trouble in the past and I've had to issue so many grovelly apologies to all and sundry the following day. Either that or get someone to gaffer tape oven gloves to my hands when I have that glazed look in my eyes.
Whatever works.
ps. Farewell cruel world!!
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