Larry, this one made me laugh out loud in places and then feel genuinely sad for the hurt underneath it. Reading this, I felt a little embarrassed to recognize myself in how we keep checking for those little dopamine hits of likes and comments. It’s humbling to realize how easily any of us can end up pressing the lever like lab rats, hoping for a signal that we’re seen.
I really appreciated your honesty here. And for what it’s worth, I’m glad you found your people on Substack. Your steady encouragement of other writers and your own writing, both witty and thoughtful at the same time, add a lot of value to this community ◡̈
Facebook seems to be an extremely accurate reflection of how most people interact on a daily basis…completely consumed with all things “me,” extremely performative, and devoid of introspection.
No, you tried something that I guess didn't pan out.
What bothers me is that FB, like so many other digital products, is specifically designed to be addictive. (I'll stick with heroin, thank you very much...)
Social media in general is a weird animal. Of all the Substacks I've written, the ones about the most heinous tragedies--the ones where I'm pumping the brakes on the humor--those are the ones that have enjoyed the most engagement. I don't understand people any better online than I do in real life. And I wear that confusion like a badge of honor.
By the way, the TM here--The Authentic Facade™--is hysterical, as is dental floss mogul, the gently (or not so gently) used parachute, and Johnny Blowdry. In fact, I think you would make a mint if you started an Only Fans with that handle.
Waaaaaay back in 1979, just after I had my hair "styled" (it wasn't "cut" back then; it was "styled"), someone called me Johnny Blowdry. It stuck in my brain.
About your posts with the most engagement: It could be that we're simply hard-wired to love a train wreck. How do you think Orange Hitler got elected?
…the furthest i got with an online scammer was a two month dailliance that ended after I insisted they buy me a fish through the head hat before I could send them crypto to pay for heart surgery…there is a great search emgine episode where he actually visits a call center…sad we actually live in a world where scams are not only a billion dollar industry, but also tied to chinese cambodian slave trading in an abandoned casino city (look it up)…a.i. will unfortunately accellerate this (almost all my new likes and subs are a. i.)…i just wish people liked people more…
Growth with every column. Even Hemingway started small (I think the Kansas City newspaper before he worked, again I think, in Canada). Unlike his Lost Generation, you are part of the Found Generation. Keep it coming.
I like this. Well done Larry. It’s interesting how social media made creating and living out a fake persona so easy. Before social media, people did this. It just took so much more effort.
Thank you, Matt. And I really appreciate your detailed feedback.
You're familiar with the phrase "Keeping up with the Joneses," right? Social media has made it a lot easier (and, on the plus side, a lot less expensive).
My mistake is in attaching deep self worth to the number of "Likes" or whatever...
Yes, that’s true about keeping up with the Joneses. Been going on for a long time. I was thinking of ruses far more elaborate but that’s a common one for sure.
Re: mistake with likes, I file that one and the same “mistake” bin as going to the grocery store hungry. Everyone does it. And if they say they don’t, they’re lying.
I enjoyed your “Feedback on Facebook…” and can relate to the “cloak of invisibility” throughout high school. I, too, was referred to as Jeff’s sister at Burbank High, but equally as often as Larry’s. :)
I thought you'd dodged most of the "Jeff's sister" thing, given that you were three years behind him. In any event, I'm glad Facebook is in my rear-view mirror. Hasta la vista...
See, it is possible to be invisible in high school and still have a life rich with meaning. I wish I could tank FB, but a few people pick up my Substack feed from there.
Larry, this one made me laugh out loud in places and then feel genuinely sad for the hurt underneath it. Reading this, I felt a little embarrassed to recognize myself in how we keep checking for those little dopamine hits of likes and comments. It’s humbling to realize how easily any of us can end up pressing the lever like lab rats, hoping for a signal that we’re seen.
I really appreciated your honesty here. And for what it’s worth, I’m glad you found your people on Substack. Your steady encouragement of other writers and your own writing, both witty and thoughtful at the same time, add a lot of value to this community ◡̈
Thank you, Rachel. I appreciate your kind words and support!!
Truth be told, every time I check a comment the *first* thing I do is eyeball the number of Likes. We really are indeed lab rats!
And, yes, Substack and Write Hearted have definitely been game changers. Thanks again.
Well there's one more like for you! Thanks for all you do to make other writers feel less alone.
You do the exact same thing.
Mahalo. :)
Facebook seems to be an extremely accurate reflection of how most people interact on a daily basis…completely consumed with all things “me,” extremely performative, and devoid of introspection.
True ... but it's still a good place for clubs and communities to share who they are and what they're all about. The rest? Fluff...
If you want a real digital challenge, Henny, try to DELETE your Facebook account. Now that's a lot of fun!
Yeah, our daughter’s sport team is how my wife got suckered onto FB. I joined willingly last year in an effort to grow my readership.
What a dumbass!! 🤣
No, you tried something that I guess didn't pan out.
What bothers me is that FB, like so many other digital products, is specifically designed to be addictive. (I'll stick with heroin, thank you very much...)
Specifically designed to keep you addicted…which makes it extremely hard to get eyeballs on anything that has people leaving the platform.
Like I don’t know, getting to your Substack.
Social media in general is a weird animal. Of all the Substacks I've written, the ones about the most heinous tragedies--the ones where I'm pumping the brakes on the humor--those are the ones that have enjoyed the most engagement. I don't understand people any better online than I do in real life. And I wear that confusion like a badge of honor.
By the way, the TM here--The Authentic Facade™--is hysterical, as is dental floss mogul, the gently (or not so gently) used parachute, and Johnny Blowdry. In fact, I think you would make a mint if you started an Only Fans with that handle.
Waaaaaay back in 1979, just after I had my hair "styled" (it wasn't "cut" back then; it was "styled"), someone called me Johnny Blowdry. It stuck in my brain.
About your posts with the most engagement: It could be that we're simply hard-wired to love a train wreck. How do you think Orange Hitler got elected?
…the furthest i got with an online scammer was a two month dailliance that ended after I insisted they buy me a fish through the head hat before I could send them crypto to pay for heart surgery…there is a great search emgine episode where he actually visits a call center…sad we actually live in a world where scams are not only a billion dollar industry, but also tied to chinese cambodian slave trading in an abandoned casino city (look it up)…a.i. will unfortunately accellerate this (almost all my new likes and subs are a. i.)…i just wish people liked people more…
Rule #1: be vigilant!!
...rule #2 - fish hats!!!...
Growth with every column. Even Hemingway started small (I think the Kansas City newspaper before he worked, again I think, in Canada). Unlike his Lost Generation, you are part of the Found Generation. Keep it coming.
Thank you, kind sir! I appreciate your support.
I see the growth and freedom in each of your articles. Keep them coming. R
Thanks, Rob. I appreciate your kind thought!
Wait, so are you saying that's not an actual picture of you by the car?
No, that's me ... the pic was taken last year.
I've aged a LOT since then.
Could be all that sugary marmalade ... :)
Or the identity reassignment surgery could have had something to do with it.
True that!
Folks do that every day ... on Facebook ...
TOUCHE' No charge for the perfect softball pitch I didn't know I was lobbing.
High School
Heartbreak
Humor
I like this. Well done Larry. It’s interesting how social media made creating and living out a fake persona so easy. Before social media, people did this. It just took so much more effort.
Thank you, Matt. And I really appreciate your detailed feedback.
You're familiar with the phrase "Keeping up with the Joneses," right? Social media has made it a lot easier (and, on the plus side, a lot less expensive).
My mistake is in attaching deep self worth to the number of "Likes" or whatever...
Yes, that’s true about keeping up with the Joneses. Been going on for a long time. I was thinking of ruses far more elaborate but that’s a common one for sure.
Re: mistake with likes, I file that one and the same “mistake” bin as going to the grocery store hungry. Everyone does it. And if they say they don’t, they’re lying.
It kind of helps to remember that this "Likes addiction" is more or less universal. I guess it's human nature.
I enjoyed your “Feedback on Facebook…” and can relate to the “cloak of invisibility” throughout high school. I, too, was referred to as Jeff’s sister at Burbank High, but equally as often as Larry’s. :)
I thought you'd dodged most of the "Jeff's sister" thing, given that you were three years behind him. In any event, I'm glad Facebook is in my rear-view mirror. Hasta la vista...
Believe it or not, no, I guess Jeff was that popular. I’m happy to say that most of your friends were very nice to me.
See, it is possible to be invisible in high school and still have a life rich with meaning. I wish I could tank FB, but a few people pick up my Substack feed from there.