The Construct

Quite a number of people have commented about the barrage of pessimistic status messages on my Twitter/Facebook page. A few make jokes about it. A few even expressed concern about it.

Just before the break, I got to talk to a friend of mine from the department and she brought the idea of being “nega.” Pondered whether it’s psychological or something brought about a few examples including myself. Well, I told her I’ll be writing a post about it and I guess it’s only now that I’ve gotten around to it.

Anyway, my simple explanation (perhaps, my defense on my seeming negativity) is that 2009 has been a very bad year for me. Having a daily routine that has almost zero human contact, I use my status updates to vent lest I die from an embolism due to emotional constipation. I don’t have the luxury of after-work rants over beer.

I’m not looking for anyone to understand or even sympathize. I’m sure no one shares the same situation I’m in for him to understand anyway. It’s all a matter of getting it out of my system.

So some people have grown to hate me for it but isn’t there a “Hide” button (and the “Unfollow” button)? God knows, how many people in my contact list are hidden in my list all because of the application requests and invitations. But do I consider them any less of a friend for doing so? No.

Status messages are like graffiti on a blank white wall. Scribble “Kilroy was here” (or “Jhun Jhun labs Bhaby”) and it will polarize opinions. Some would prefer the white wall blank. Some would prefer something more artistic. Some people will get the joke.

But if you’re going to judge a person (whom you have added or approved as a “friend” I might add) based on what you find written on a social network site without even taking a minute or two to ask him or her personally, “What the fuck is wrong with you?” then there lies the problem.