Darwin & Social Media

We’ve all seen the Facebook statuses: “Ugh, so totally hating the Facebook updates!!! Mark Zuckerberg is ruining my life!!!”

Some of you may be hanging your head in chagrin at this very moment as you realize you’re guilty of such a post. Take a deep breath, slowly back away from the exclamation-point key, and we’ll work through your angst together. (OK so I’m a writer, not a therapist, but let’s use our imaginations today.)

Here’s the deal: If life changes, why shouldn’t social media?

I know, I know — you’re happy with the way things were, so why so many updates? Well, I was perfectly happy as a 5-year-old girl, watching Sesame Street and playing in the mud. I was also pretty content with the blissful naivety of my junior high years, including the 6-month phase where I wore overalls daily and crammed as many butterfly clips into my hair as spatially possible. (Don’t judge.)

But overalls don’t last forever (thankfully, neither did my awkward years), and progression is an inevitable and natural step in any arena of life.

The problem with refusing to embrace change is simple: If you don’t get on the bus, you’re going to get left at the station waiting for the next ride. You can balk at change all you want, but the changes are still bound to happen — regardless of how many angsty statuses you post.

Oft times with Facebook, for example, changes are initially optional for a month or two before updates become mandatory and you no longer have a choice in the matter. For businesses, do you really want to be two months behind your competitors when the updates are forced upon you?

I say, when changes come, jump in with both feet. Embrace the updates. Stay one step ahead of the curve. The online world is quickly moving forward and continually picking up steam — don’t be that person left sitting on your hands. (Though if you insist, I have a plethora of butterfly clips you’re welcome to borrow.)

What are your thoughts on the evolution of social media?