This is something I have been deliberating for the last few weeks. And here's the story in its entirety...
It all started when I decided I would let everyone know where I stood with respect to the countries competing in the ongoing FIFA World Cup...Yes, I do live in the UK, but (with all due respect to its citizens) I do not always support the national football team:-) In the match against the USA last week, I cheered the "other" team. I swapped my Facebook profile picture for the Stars and Stripes! And within hours, one of my so-called "friends"(a former colleague) wrote the comment "Traitor" on my own post cheering the Yanks on. What transpired during the game itself was debated in pubs across this country. And poor goalie Green was the butt of innumerable jokes and snide remarks. The game ended in a draw...
A few days later, it was the turn of Algeria against the likes of Lampard, Gerrard and the lot. Where did I stand? Well, as an academic researcher whose works centred on literature from north Africa, obviously, I wanted to cheer the Algerians. Coming from my country as I do, I am well aware of the hardships faced by sportspersons in developing countries. Lack of encouragement and more importantly, of resources, means talented players are challenged every single day. Despite all the internal strife going on, the Algerians did very well for themselves. That match too ended in a draw...
Yesterday, someone I hold very dear changed their Facebook settings, and I asked myself if I really wanted to continue putting myself through this daily agony? And the answer was a resounding NO. I was wasting far too many hours every month on this showcasing of one's friends (shouldn't it be "acquaintances"?), a lot of which appears quite banal and superficial...
And so, I de-activated my Facebook profile...And gained some peace of mind in the process. I hope to devote more time to this blog, and on my fiction-writing from now on.
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