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Facebook being shite #3874
Facebook can be a great place to get on your political soapbox. It gives you a chance to vent, you can share great articles and you can find yourself in a genuinely interesting discussion about certain issues. As someone relatively new to socialism and who is still learning a lot about the issues surrounding it, I find my comrades’ political posts an insight and an education.
However, personally there are far too many daft cunts on my friends list for Facebook to be a consistently positive political experience. As someone yet to partake in a cull of my friends list, barely a day goes by where some prick I’ve never had even an iota of affection towards before posts something ridiculously out-of-order. Hence barely a day goes by where I don’t delete such disposables, from my life as well as my news feed.
So, with the inauguration of the new Facebook polls, the platform for dafties has predictably widened. In most cases it’s simply another annoying app that fills up your news feed, telling you boring information about people you don’t like. Although I must say my life has drastically improved upon discovering my cousin prefers Coke to Pepsi. Thanks for enlightening me, pal. Also, answering ‘Charlie Sheen’ PURE RANDOMLY to any question was hilarious the first time and it continues to be funny, you have such a sparkling wit! If you keep doing it it will only get funnier.
However, there are a lot of, let’s say, ‘moral’ questions springing up, ones I observe the results of with a keen eye. It might make cunt-culling a whole lot easier (if you’ve voted that you don’t support gay rights, for instance, it’s fair to say I want you to get tae fuck out my life), but venture further into the comment sections and it will really give you something to despair or fume about.
One particular question, the eternal toughie that is “‘Which hurts more, giving birth or being kicked in the balls?” has already been excellently assessed and the idiotic comments annihilated by Brogan, one of this blog’s own contributors, in her own blogpost .
Then there’s the simply bemusing poll that poses the question: “Do you support gay rights and weed legilisation?” The wording is what gets me. Although they are both, don’t get me wrong, prominent left issues, it’s a bit of an odd coupling – gay rights and drug laws are hardly two issues that go hand-in-hand with one another (unless I’m going to all the wrong parties). It’s a bit like asking “Do you agree with veganism and electoral reform?” or “Do you want a dessert or are you having a bath when you go home?”
In the interest of democracy, the poll offers the answers “yes (gay rights)”, “no (gay rights)”, “yes (weed legalisation)” and “no (weed legalisation)”. Here’s the catch: you can only vote once. I’m not sure how people are supposed to prioritise their decision-making here as the two aren’t exactly mutually exclusive. I’m certain that everyone in SSY is fully behind gay rights, and I’d vouch that most support some kind of progressive reform regarding cannabis law (whether that be legalisation or decriminalisation). I’m sure I speak for many of my comrades though when I say some human beings having the same rights as OTHER HUMAN BEINGS is a slightly more pressing issue than being able to buy weed legally. I can’t really imagine the thought process of those who think the opposite”; “Well, gay rights I can give or take, as long as I can buy an eighth and no get the jail!”
The comments section is dangerous territory. As you can imagine the discussion centres primarily on the gay rights issue. Those from the people who do support gay rights are truly quite heart-lifting, and are refreshingly well-reasoned and compassionate compared to the homophobic bile coming from those against gay rights.
Such gems as “you aren’t born gay, it’s a choice” make frequent appearances amongst the homophobic trolls. Oh aye, they choose to be gay, just like they choose to suffer all the torment they get about it from scumbags, and just like they choose to be put under scrutiny from cunts like you who, if I had my way, wouldn’t be allowed a say in the matter. It gives them a kick, so it does, to see you disregard their status as a FELLOW HUMAN BEING all because they fancy folk who’re the same sex as them (which, just so you know, they can’t help.) It is pleasing, however, to see that the good guys well outnumber the wanks for a change!
Perhaps the most provocative of the moral conundrums is the question: “Should soldiers get paid more than footballers?” Almost a million have voted yes whilst fewer than 50,000 have voted no. I’m sure many, like me, have refrained simply because they couldn’t give much of a fuck about the plight of soldiers or footballers. Not to mention the multitude of problems that any rational economist, socialist or pacifist could point out with such a proposal.
Quite simply, it’s economically unfeasible. Whether you like it or not, footballers are paid for through private companies (aka by rich bastards) and soldiers are paid for through taxes (aka by poor bastards). If soldiers were to receive even a quarter of a top footballer’s wage, paid for through the public purse, the so-called ‘grave recession’ we keep being told we’re in would probably actually occur, and nae cunt wants that.
As many participants in the poll have so earnestly pointed out, to solve this, all that’s needed is a rewording of the question. Many have appealed it should be posed as “Should footballers be paid a soldier’s wage?” which, fair enough, I could contend with. I fucking hate flashy footballer and their smug grins, parading around in their nice cars whilst the little folk struggle to provide for their families.
However, I wonder why I’ve just spent two paragraphs pointing out the menial errors with the question when, quite simply, I just fucking hate the British army a lot more. That is, not individual soldiers, of which I’m sure some are perfectly nice people and might just be trying to make ends meet and are only doing the work our government makes them, but British soldiers as a collective. As a collective, British soldiers are violent and unpleasant weapons of the state, prepared to brutalise and oppress innocent civilians and to imperialise entire nations in the name of oil. I want no hand in supporting their efforts in any modern conflicts but unfortunately I am required to do so financially through state taxes (or I will be, once I become an eligible taxpayer). And no, I don’t think anyone deserves a wage for being capable of murder and torture of innocent people, let alone a footballer’s sky-high salary.
Again, it’s a seemingly harmless question, presumably intended to provoke reaction from those with a ‘moral conscience’, that is, those who think the British army are brave freedom-fighters, and that they stop the UK from being ruled under Sharia law. That is, those who believe the work our armed forces do is noble, courageous and heroic, and somehow deserving of a millionaire’s salary. That is, essentially, the Daily Mail’s target audience.
It’s not really even people voting that soldiers should be paid millions that irks me – to loads of folk it’s a perfectly harmless enough idea – but the comments which have spawned from the question. Many have gotten up on their pedestal to deliver impassioned passages about why those who don’t think soldiers should receive a footballer’s wage are evil and morally corrupt. The results are, quite frankly, hilarious:
“If I had time I would track all the cunts who said no down” – what’s this, a fan of the army supports oppressive murder! Who’d have thunk it?
“Footballers don’t die protecting our country!!” – no, neither do they die waging illegal wars on government bidding, one reality check please.
“Whoever votes no is really harsh” – this one lacks any serious conviction, bless him.
“Whoever votes no should be crucified” – lol, retro!
“Footballers don’t benefit humanity” – yeah, humanity really benefits from our armed forces. Our military presence in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan has done wonders for humanity!
“Footballers are just gay anyway” – excellent counter-argument, I bet this one supports Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and all.
“But soldiers save lives!” – um what? I’m sure all those Iraqi and Afghan families grieving over their murdered children or parents would contest to that.
“Soldiers put their lives on the line for us” – um, if I may, I’d rather British soldiers didn’t do anything on my behalf.
“Those who said no… you’re heartless!” – yeah, those of us who give enough of a fuck about the lives of innocent civilians are heartless, nice one.
“32,794 people think sports is more important than peacekeeping.” – hahaha! Peacekeeping, the army; hahahahaha!
I’m going to stop there before my rib cracks. Have a look for yourself though, it’s a right laugh how clueless some folk are.
All in all, what I’m trying to say in this never-ending tangent is that these polls just give dafties extra opportunities to broadcast their pish, and they have more than enough outlets to do so already. I for one have blocked the polls from appearing in my news feed, and I anxiously anticipate the day they are done away with! Don’t even get me started on the evil cunts who call the outsider slice in a loaf of bread an ‘ender’..
Please share the knowledge of how to block these mind-numbing polls. My sanity is at stake here!
If you use Google Chrome they’ve created an extension to do just that! If you’re not, then.. I’d seriously consider changing your browser just to do so.
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/fnfccinnkelhmobaenahkeidjiocmnld
Brilliant post. I cannot stand this whole Charlie Sheen thing, he’s not funny and he’s a cunt but I suppose I ain’t a “lad” because I hold these opinions…I’m gutted.
Facebook can be good at times but at others it sums up why the human race is going to eventually end.
It’s tiresome. “He shags porn stars, he knocks them about, what a legend” – no, what an abusive prick. It’s also unsettling that people actually seem to enjoy watching him going through a mental breakdown and turning it into ‘banter’.
Ha, I could go on forever about things on Facebook I deplore. This entire post was essentially just a place for me to rant!
Great post!
All these people were shocked to learn that his shows opening night bombed? Eh, hello. That is because the man needs help. Quickly. The things that he says are not from a script, they are the ramblings of someone who breaking down. Hilarious right?
I also hate these polls but agree with you on the gay rights one. I was also shocked to see the wankers being outnumbered for once. It was a pleasant surprise and put a smile on my face. However the smile was quickly wiped off and replaced with complete rage when I found some image with hundreds of people tagged in it titled ‘look how bad she got raped’ with a fuzzed out in parts photograph. People really do sicken me. Safe to say I reported it and hope everyone else did the same.
cullens91: Thank you! And to Euan. I had to write something to end the blog drought, glad it wasn’t too rambling!
Brogan: Yeah, it’s a poor reflection on society that people can revel in it. It’s probably also a poor reflection that when we see more people support gay rights than oppose them, our initial reaction is surprise! One of my friends just got tagged in that photo. Looking at it, I thought at first it might have been a genuine campaign to raise awareness of rape being used as a military weapon, but it’s clearly just another sick viral stunt. Vehemently reported.
If it’s meant to raise awareness why post something linked to another page, with some sort of warning so that anyone who might be affected by it knows not to view or is aware. Also possibly not that photograph. That is horrific. Posting an image and tagging that many people in it does not in anyway raise awareness. It instead causes pain.
Exactly, I realised this as soon as I noticed there had been no kind of trigger warning, and because of that horrible ‘look how badly she got raped’ link.
Firstly football is a community sport which has supported people Celtic and Barcelona are two of the greatest teams in terms of giving back. Most footballers give joy to thousands of fans and are generally loved. Some like ashley Cole or John Terry are pricks but most footballers are just normal guys who have had a great chance given to them.
you are just new to socialism and you say you are just finding out left issues well legalisation is not a left issue nor is gay rights it is a centre issue or an issue which crosses many party lines. Socialism is about the emancipation of the working class and insuring a new world order which is for the benefit of all.
Out of everything I said in this post, the part I least expected people to be offended by was the bit about footballers! I would not deny a lot of footballers and football teams give a lot back, I suppose I was generalising footballers as a collective, as I did with soldiers. And no matter how much they give back, I still think to receive such huge salaries is ridiculous.
I wouldn’t say socialism is synonymous with the left either (obviously the idea of socialism is a left-wing concept, at least I think, but not everything left-wing is associated with socialism). I didn’t say gay rights and legalisation were socialist issues, I said they were left issues, which I will defend. Maybe I’m ill-informed but I’ve never associated the right-wing with wanting to push progressive drug laws. The same goes for gay rights; it’s consistently the right-wing who are seen trying to oppress gay rights, and consistently the left-wing who fight for equality, and in support of underprivileged groups such as homosexuals.
Don Juan is regular blog troll Paul, who has made homophobic comments in the past and only cares about sectarianism and thinks everything else is a ‘liberal democrat’ diversion from the class struggle.
He’s basically a mad fanny and the right balance must be struck between laughing at and ignoring the troll
There is no balance between ignoring and laughing you either ignore or you laugh at my comments but at any point Sarah. I do believe in Sectarianism and seeing it as the biggest issue in scottish politics I believe it should be highlighted.
The ssp refuse to see this as they are wrapped up in white privelege but it has been shown that you are more likely tgo be attacked as an Irish catholic this is a problem which does not get addressed and the work that Jack McConnell did was firmly scrubbed out by the SNP.
I care about many issues in which working class struggles are key i.e. the state of healthcare social services the public sector and a true balancing out of wealth throughout the country. Now I call you a liberal democrat because if I was to look at their manifesto and your own I would find little different and seeing as the liberal democrats have been along longer I deem them to hold the centre ground.
You politics is to liberalise the country hence I call you liberals, I also see you as liberal because I get the unerving feeling that you are more middle class than working class that you mean well but you don’t truely no what is best for the poor of the nation. In your politics the majority are forgotten about by placing titles of privelege on people that no little of it by putting an American understanding of politics rather than a British were a mans colour doesn’t matter because if he isn’t of noble birth the upper class do not care for you.
Let me make it clear for you THE BRITISH STATE DOES NOT CARE WHAT COLOUR OR SEXUALITY YOU ARE THE BRITISH STATE CARES ONLY THAT YOU PAY.
I liked your article, Sophie. And the ensuing poll someone made with the dessert and the bath, it made me smile.
Don Juan certainly seems fond of telling us all what we are and aren’t allowed to pass comment on. I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds this deeply patronizing. Most of his comments seem to indicate that we’re somehow writing about the ‘wrong’ issues. He also seems to think that cultural and socio-cultural concerns are outwith socialist jurisdiction (which makes me wonder what I do for a living – I was under the impression that I got paid to study left-wing cultural theory, but if there’s no such thing I’m at a total loss as to what I’ve been doing for 6 years).
Don Juan is of course entitled to his opinions but I’m getting fed up with him harassing Bloggers and commenters that make valuable contributions.
Thanks, Meghan. Ha, me too, it was one of the few polls that didn’t annoy me just by looking at it!
I’m not really sure how to deal with him. I think I’ll take Sarah’s advice and just ignore him.
Not at all Meghan my point is I would like a much more socialist blog in that it talked more of socialist or economical matters which is not the sole concern but the major concern of socialism.
Even a debate on the state its purpose and use the nuclear debate was interesting in that I did not go after anyone by sniping I merely gave my views and others did the same which I found nice for a change. But certain topics on this blog are not up for discussion.
The major problem with this blog is that it doesn’t like dissenting views a number of times I want a debate about specific issues but instead I get a haha your an idiot routine.
And actually Sophie gave me a reply which was good and explained more her views in fact for the vast majority I agreed with the blog except for some parts the football is a personal cripe with me as all too often people attack football for being working class in essence. Footballers get hassalled a lot and many of them are decent guys that grew up in similar areas to me and have had a brillant oppurtunity.
Also I find it confusing when I attack somebodies beliefs your owns or another many of the writers of the blogs are stumped
“I’m not really sure how to deal with him” Well why don’t you say why your views are so.
My main view is simply that class struggle must come before all other divisions. You are either part of the 80% or the 20%
Charlie Sheen is a hero. is it a shame that his head is fried because he had to much fun? he choose to do that. the reason i think he is so cool is because i want to push the boundaries of getting high sometimes but he lived the dream! have you not seen any hunter thompson or stones history? if you think its sad what happened to charlie sheen you don’t get partying to that level. massive bags of drugs, more money than we’ll ever earn combined, hotel rooms, sex… i bet he regrets it all: it sounds terrible to me. stop judging other peoples lives.
I’m not sure if that’s supposed to be some kind of ironic joke? Charlie Sheen is an abusive fuckwit who holds knives to his wife’s throat and batters prostituted women to fuck. Anyone who thinks the whole ‘Charlie Sheen winning’ thing is funny is a moron.
Hahahahahaha! Sure, if someone chooses to take that amount of drugs and have that extravagant a lifestyle, no, it may not be my place to judge them. However, I’ll happily judge the pathetic voyeurs such as yourself who take some sort of sick pleasure from watching him go through what I can only call a mental breakdown.
I also have absolutely no qualms judging someone for being, as Sarah said, a misogynistic abusive cunt, which is what Charlie Sheen is.
good article on Charlie Sheen: http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/laurie-penny/2011/03/women-sheen-press-sex-drug
i’m not interested in what sheen does in his personal life, fucking annoying celebrities. there is enough shit in life sometimes you have to just enjoy things without looking too much in to it, like watching jack nicholson films. this charlie sheen high as a kite madness is one of those times for me.
“The Edge… there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over. The others–the living–are those who pushed their control as far as they felt they could handle it, and then pulled back, or slowed down, or did whatever they had to when it came time to choose between Now and Later.
But the edge is still Out there. Or maybe it’s In” HST
btw good post. the idea that a poll on facebook about serious issues represent peoples views when you’re offered two/three narrow options is ridiculous and its good to see it explicitly said. it seems like a way of manufacturing statistics to say anything.
Ok whatevs, but abusing women isn’t someone’s private life, it’s an assault on all women, and a matter for the public courts.
Can’t tell if trolling or just stupid.