I needed a reprieve from writing on Easter Sunday afternoon and instead spent several hours of my self-imposed pandemic isolation reviewing the Facebook profiles and timelines of many of my friends. (I should get a life, you say?)

It was an interesting exercise and in the end I was somewhat surprised to conclude that Facebook accounts almost always reflected the personality of the owner I am familiar with. And, again, generally that was a good thing.

Given the online forum of Facebook to create whatever public persona you’d like, it would seem logical that people might portray an idealized version of themselves -- putting up their most attractive photos, editing down their thoughts to the most clever and pithy before posting them in a status update, carefully choosing favorite recipes, books and movies to portray a certain sophistication of taste. 

But not so, as far as I was able to determine. 

Instead of using Facebook to create rose-tinted portraits of themselves, more often than not my friend's Facebook profiles reflected their authentic personalities, with all of the quirks, persuasions (political or religious), funny faces and moodiness they entail. Succinctly, it quickly became clear that, instead of putting out gilded versions of themselves, my friends' online profiles were in keeping with what they were actually like in real life.

I can only conclude that instead of presenting a false alternative social world online, social networking sites generally are simply another medium for sincere social interactions. (In other words, if you’re a jerk in real life, you’ll be one on Facebook too.)

In all fairness though, I have to be amused by the odd timeline that is devoted almost entirely to advancing political leanings thereby mirroring abrasiveness, often bordering on militancy. Quite frankly I have to admit to giving them a short shift. I used to respond to some of that type of post with reasoned, sometimes tongue-in-check, comments but soon determined it was pointless with potential to lead to bad friends. 

Likewise, profiles that are used as free advertising marketing tools to promote products and services are somewhat off-turning but none-the-less understandable. Of course, in a way, blatant advocacy of that kind does reflect on individual motivation which is always quite transparent.

It is also telling to pick up on a degree of shyness (for lack of a better word) on the part of some people who do not include photos of themselves with their profiles, opting instead to insert pictures of animals or flowers. Then again there are the odd few who chose 40 or 50-year old photos to represent their current image, reflecting a certain type of modest insular or reserved personality that prefers to be seen as the way they used to be. 

Couldn't help but notice too the increased use and sharing without comment of inspirational quotes, photos and videos on people's timelines to express their views or opinions without actually being so bold as to say it themselves or taking personal ownership. Regardless of the motivation or intention, this does demonstrate an overriding goodness and an impulse to share it...and that as I say is a good thing. Inspiration, however demonstrated, tends to work well for engagement because when people see something that inspires them, something they can relate to, they immediately feel an impulse to spread the word. In retrospect, it is kind of a self-satisfying act.

Then, of course, there are the quiet, silent friends who rarely post anything at all on their timelines. Rest assured, however, that still waters run deep with that type of individual who tends to be very observant of others but rarely give the benefit of what they are thinking because, I suspect, they are too polite -- or can't be bothered.

Believe it or not, I really do enjoy putting myself in other people's shoes, seeing what motivates and interests them and getting a feeling for how they live in their world, the proud parents, grandparents and pet owners that they may be. I'm kind of funny that way I guess. Then again, maybe I'm just plain nosey.

Anyway friends, stay active on Facebook...Keep being your sensitive, emotional, caring, opinionated and funny selves. I notice it all and appreciate it!

Hopefully it takes a sensitive, emotional, caring, opinionated and funny guy to recognize a kindred spirit when he one on Facebook! LOL