Be Careful What You Write, Somebody Might Read It | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Be Careful What You Write, Somebody Might Read It

The implications of careless social media posting.

36
Be Careful What You Write, Somebody Might Read It
Pexels

I just spent hours scouring my Facebook page clean. The event that triggered this article was logging back in after three years of inactivity, only to read my own posts and think what an inane load of garbage I had created! In a journal entry from February 28, 1841, Henry David Thoreau writes, “Nothing goes by luck in composition… The best you can write will be the best you are. Every sentence is the result of a long probation. The author's character is read from title-page to end.”

Now, I’m not equating Facebook with a publishing house, but I do think it matters to consider what we write. I don’t use Facebook anymore, and I’ve realized that most of the sentences I posted in years gone by are not the result of a “long probation”. I deleted literally thousands of entries. Who wants to know about what I was listening to in November 2011? Or that delicious avocado sandwich I had for lunch on July 16, 2012? Thoreau’s notion that our very character is judged based on what we write is very important in 2016, where an employer, relative, friend, or loved one can Google you and find a plethora of social media contribution.

The idea that we should be careful with our online personae has been addressed before. I’m not trying to bandwagon on that, and I’m not saying that you should censor your ideas. I am asking the question, what would happen if we approached the issue from a different perspective? The concern is not that we’re going to say something offensive, or demeaning to someone that might lose us a job, or compromise a relationship, but that we are actually judged on the content and quality of what we post online. Writing, after all, is an extension of our thinking. Is the avocado sandwich I had for lunch, even though bloody* delicious, worth writing about? Your answer might be yes, and that’s OK. Maybe you’re a food critic? But isn’t it worth thinking about?

Facebook, Twitter etc., encourage us to share undeveloped ideas, we just need to remember that these ideas represent us. There is a concept in photography that applies here; manual focus lenses are sometimes used for their image quality. Some people are critical of their lack of autofocus, image stabilization, and other mod cons. These lenses perform an important role, though. They force you to slow down and consider what you are doing, and this can result in photographs that are just better. I think this pertains to writing, too. Even with a Facebook post, if we slow down, and consider our writing, and try, as Thoreau did, to produce our highest quality content, maybe we won’t have to worry so much about looking back in three years time at 1300 avocado sandwich posts, and what an utter nob** this makes us feel, and possibly look like to others.

*English term for very

**English term for cock

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

499
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Things That Describe You and Your College Friends

The craziest, funniest, and most unforgettable college memories are impossible to create without an amazing group of friends.

276
College Friends
Marina Lombardi

1. You'll never run out of clothes when you have at least four closets to choose from.

2. You embrace and encourage each other’s horrible, yet remarkable dance moves.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments