Don't Believe Everything You Read

...especially anything started on Facebook.

Recently an Internet meme was making the rounds on Facebook where people would change their profile picture to a cartoon character from their childhood to raise awareness against child abuse. Like most Internet memes, I balked at the idea and didn't participate because I don't believe they raise awareness for anything. In fact, all it seemed to do was raise awareness for how cool these old cartoons were.

This reminded me of meme started last year where ladies would post status updates with the words "I like it on" followed by where they placed their purses to raise awareness for breast cancer.

"I like it on the couch."

"I like it on the floor."

"I like it on the table."

It just sounds like sexual innuendo. I fail to see how it raises awareness to breast cancer. Sure it gets people curious at first when they inquire what these status updates mean but the original point is missed.

Instead of thinking, "Let's raise some money to discover a cure.", most of the people were thinking, "Meow. She's pretty kinky."

A few days after the cartoon-picture-meme was making the rounds, news outlets were reporting that the meme was actually a hoax started by a group of pedophiles because young children were more likely to accept friend requests from strangers with profile pictures of cartoon characters. So en masse, people rushed to change their profile pictures back to normal.

Then a few days later, the reports about the meme being started by a group of pedophiles were actually false. It just proves that you can't believe everything you read on the Internet.

So let's stop hiding behind these memes and actually make a difference. If you want to raise awareness for a cause, be an adult about it and post a real Facebook status like, "I'm raising awareness for ." Blog about it. Go volunteer somewhere. Donate some money or your time. Invite others to join.

Paul Trinh Likes This

One interesting trend I’ve noticed recently on Facebook is some friends are liking status updates (i.e., clicking the “Like” button) that most people in everyday life wouldn’t normally like. I find it quite humorous when I see posts like “[Expletive]! ” or “blah...” and then seeing the “ likes this.” next to it.

Sometimes people post random updates with bad news to garner sympathy from their friends. But if you do it too often, you may come off as whiny and people are desensitized to your status updates.

Another annoying thing that some Facebookers do is post something vague (e.g., an update that ends in ...) which makes you sound “emo”. Because no one can figure out what you’re posting about, it trolls someone to post, “What’s wrong?” to find out what is the problem. The world can’t possibly be always falling apart!

Since Facebook does not have a “Dislike” button, it is hilarious when people don’t take the troll bait and click the “Like” button instead. Of course it is a faux pas to like status updates that are too bad. But when the poster is actually okay, it is funny when people respond with the opposite reaction than was intended.

Here are some of the funnier status updates in my Facebook News Feed that were liked:

"So freaking [lame]. Gotta work tomorrow. We couldn’t do inventory early [so] they decide[d] to do it on a [expletive] holiday week! [Expletive expressing disbelief]!”

"[Argh] arrested again!”

"Ever burn the roof of your mouth? It [stinks]!”

"In pain once again from Ultimate [Frisbee]. This is becoming a routine."

"[Expletive expressing disbelief]! I just got stung by a jelly fish on my arm and back at the beach! It hurts...”

"Dang bro, I think whatever Daniel has, he passed it onto me. My nose started to stuff up yesterday. Next phase might be the runny nose.”

"I think phase 2 is happening. Runny nose, sneezing and the coughs. Sniff sniff. Also, I’m losing my taste buds since I can’t breathe out of my nose properly. Everything just tastes so bland. Still though, it was worth it. That baby is too cute to not hug and hold.”

"My neck has been hurting and burning for a few days now...”

"[Expletive]!!!...My laptop screen is blacked out/broken...I have to plug it to my flat screen to get on the computer now. [Expletive expressing disbelief]!"

"Needs a shoulder to cry on because all isn’t well.”

"[My girlfriend’s] family is playing volleyball & I can’t play. =( Darn shoulder...”