My wife Rita Sevell has pulled the plug on Facebook. Here is her explanation:
“My decision to cancel FB has been long overdue. I am ashamed of my lack of courage to leave my group and the concurrent number of “likes” I may get which serve to affirm my postings. I have given this a great deal of thought particularly as I read and look at many forms of media that, more often than not, try to explain the overall impact of new age technology in our lives. Psychologists, sociologists, scientists, trauma specialists and even researchers who examine brain functioning, to name just a few, have all contributed to how our behavior may be affected by these new forms of interaction and communication.
“As our country continues to spin out of control and most recently faced with yet another massacre of students and faculty, I was immediately propelled to take a stand. What most aptly conveyed my feeling was a quote I read which states “It is as if humankind were packed into a bus racing through an impenetrable fog. Somewhere ahead is a cliff: a calamitous reversal of humanity’s fortunes”.
“Facebook has become a tool which has allowed other nations to boldly manipulate our democracy. FB did not stop such manipulation and has become (in part) responsible for allowing DT and the Republicans to take over our government. One could argue the weaknesses of Hillary Clinton however I remain confident that having her as our president would have been far better for all of us. The fact that anyone was robbed of becoming a legitimate president is sickening and beyond comprehension. As recently as this morning, a top executive of Facebook was interviewed about their apparent complicity in the Russian investigation. With an option to take some responsibility, he instead took the low road and lamely explained why he stood behind all of the decisions that Facebook made.
“I feel that FB has become an extremely negative and powerful force which continues to erode the fabric of our society as it interferes with human relationships and dismantles young people’s ability to communicate in an honest and healthy manner. The fact that the number of likes on FB, for example, has become a measurement of one’s worth is very troublesome. The significant rise in depression, suicide and drug addiction in the lives of young people is part and parcel of such a disturbing trend.
“I feel, as do many others, a sense of ongoing helplessness, a fear of the future for all children and an overall sadness when I look at what our country has become. It is vastly depleted of morals, values, ethics and ideals. I do not diminish the many healthy and promising changes that are occurring as people have been motivated and encouraged
to examine the forces of racism, sexism, homophobia, ongoing poverty and joblessness, addiction, etc. through dialogue, activism and peaceful protests.
“Ending my FB account after many years may seem insignificant and certainly arguable. It is a small step toward change but a step nonetheless.”
