I have a firm belief and a sure knowledge that making friends and enjoying interactions with other people is a necessary part of our lives. Without these interactions, earth is a dark, foreboding place. There is so much we can learn from those around us. All of us, no matter what walk of life we come from have unique life experiences. There is so much to learn from others, even those that seem the most ordinary. It is these spheres of friendship and camaraderie that make my life worth living.
This week I mislead a lot of people on Facebook into thinking I was having a complete and total breakdown in my personal and religious life. I never actually said as much...just a few ambiguous statuses and a link to a dim-witted ex-mormon's reasons as to why he left the church. The motive behind this charade is quite easy to explain. What all of you saw is my final project/thesis in my Comm 3500 Social Media Studies class.
Now for a moment of painful honesty: I chose this topic and project myself. All of us in class had to design our own final projects. At the time I didn't know the narrative I was going to follow. All I came up with was that I wanted to change my voice on social media. At length I came to the conclusion that the only way I could elicit an sufficient response to collect my data, was to play the religious card. Again, I never mentioned anything concise about what I was doing, but I posted things to see the conclusions people would draw. However, I think I moved far too quickly. This was supposed to go on for 2 weeks. It lasted 3 days instead. The abrupt change was...well too abrupt. It turned into more of a shock and awe campaign than what it was originally intended to be.
Going back to what I said at the beginning, I feel very strongly about friendship. I have always identified myself as a principled man who strives his best to live those values he proclaims. My conscience was screaming at me every step of this process, and after seeing the mayhem that resulted I determined that I had gotten all the data I needed. That's why I ended it today. I couldn't do this for 2 weeks. People that you call your friends, should not be used as merely a means to an end. I ain't ever gonna do this again. This was a project, not a test of friendship loyalty, not a cry for attention. And I am very sorry for it.
And so that's that. I love all of you, I really do. We have met under different circumstances and in different places, and yet share the same common feeling of camaraderie. And the messages that some of you sent me were touching and poignant. They really moved me. It gave me a glimpse of how awesome all of you really are. One could not ask for better friends. I apologize for the confusion and panic some of you must have felt during this week. Rest assured I have learned my lesson and will look for better ways of studying my discipline of Communications.
Now go take something away from Conference. :)
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