avatarRicardo Testori

Summary

The web content describes a dog's perspective on social interactions and the use of "FaceBush" as a social media platform for dogs.

Abstract

The article titled "A New Way to Understand Social Media" presents a unique take on social networking through the eyes of a dog named Charlie. Charlie discusses his experiences with a canine version of social media called FaceBush, which he accesses during his daily walks to the Social Garden. He shares his daily routine post-lockdown, emphasizing the importance of morning walks and the joy he finds in the social interactions at the garden, where dogs leave messages for each other on a row of bushes dubbed "FaceBush." The platform serves as a hub for community news, social gatherings, and personal updates, much like human social media. Charlie reflects on the dynamics of canine society, including the competition for attention, the challenges of direct interactions, and the complexities of relationships, particularly with the opposite sex. He laments the lack of visual aids in the story, despite his friend Ric Testori's help in sharing his narrative beyond FaceBush.

Opinions

  • Charlie enjoys the newfound freedom and social opportunities post-lockdown, especially the structured schedule for walks.
  • He expresses sympathy for dogs with restrictive owners but also believes in self-responsibility for one's situation.
  • Charlie finds FaceBush to be an indispensable source of information and connection, despite some dogs' claims of it being "fake news."
  • He has mixed feelings about the direct and often aggressive social interactions in the garden, preferring the mediated communication of FaceBush.
  • Charlie is intrigued by the flirtatious messages left by female dogs on FaceBush but wishes for more self-control and private interactions.
  • He appreciates his friend Ric Testori's assistance in sharing his story but is disappointed by the lack of relevant images to accompany the narrative.

A New Way to Understand Social Media

Charlie on FaceBush: How it looks to him

Images Courtesy of the Author (& Charlie

Wow, I’m so happy that lockdown thing is over. Where I live, they had a special rule that said I was allowed to go for a Walk twice a day, but ordinary people couldn’t do that. And I could take just one, single person with me when I went out. For some reason, there seemed to be a competition about who was going out with me. Not that I cared who it was.

So, back during the lockdown, I only got these short and fast trips around the block. Boy, that was edging on being boring, not that I ever complained - I never complain about going out for a Walk. Never! But now, everything has changed for the better.

Mostly, we now have a going-out schedule. I’m always ready as soon as the sun comes up, but being ready doesn’t ever mean much around here. If it was up to my mommy-person, I’d probably need to hang around until the sun was going down again. But I’m lucky, I’ve got a great daddy-person who likes the mornings almost as much as I do. Well, most days he likes them - some days he just stays in bed and sleeps until I give him a gentle nudge. Or two.

One of the things I hated most about the lockdown was that we followed the same old route every day. Every day, every Walk - the same dreary path. OK, not utterly dull, but not like now. It’s true that we still keep to a well-defined route, but it’s MY route, not just somebody’s who needed to go out for a Walk with me.

These days our first proper stop is at The Social Garden, and that’s where I first learned about FaceBush. I know many people hate the FaceBush thing, but I can’t get enough of it. The easiest way to explain how this social thing works will be by example. So here’s my typical day on FaceBush:

* Photo: Me at the Garden *

Here we are, here’s The Social Garden. You can see straight away that it’s got everything - long grass with interesting weeds and wildflowers; big trees to keep us fresh in summer and dry when it rains. The trees even have tasty, yummy-smelling fruit dropping onto the ground sometimes. And of course, you noticed the big row of bushes on the side - that’s FaceBush!

* Photo: Me near the FaceBush *

Every One who comes here leaves a message on FaceBush. Every One! Even those unfortunate, bullied Ones kept on tight leashes with cruel Masters get to check out the latest news and leave a message. Or two. I really feel sorry for those poor bastards, but I think it’s all their own fault. I mean, who’s responsible for training the Masters? Sure, we lucky Ones can do a little to help push them into shape, but in the end, every One is responsible for their own situation.

* Photo: Leaving a Message at FaceBush *

There was a recent post from that stupid poodle with the crazy haircut - why does he put up with that? He left a message on FaceBush about a party he was at last night. Apparently, all the mommy- and daddy-persons at the party had fallen in love with him. He was the only One there. So they were all competing to see who could give him the tastiest nibbles and get a lick or cuddle from him. Boy, I could tell from Frenchie’s post on FaceBush they had some excellent nibbles at that party! How come my mommy and daddy weren’t invited - they never go to parties without me.

* Photo: Me with Another One *

Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I’m always keen to hear about everything that’s happening on FaceBush. I don’t always like hearing about everything in face-to-face meetings. I know it’s considered anti-social, but one of the things I enjoyed most about the time during lockdown was this: there was less opportunity to stop and chat directly with other Ones.

Take what just happened here a few minutes ago. I was minding my own business, reading the latest posts on FaceBush, and leaving my witty responses (touched with sarcasm, as usual). Then, along comes this little bundle of shit with no leash or Master in sight. Does he want to say “Hello” and get to know me better - no way! Sure, he smooched up to me at first, pretending to be interested in how I was hanging. But then - smash - he’s growling and showing his teeth and yelling at me to back up! Hey, I screamed - I was here first! Talk about “Alpha”, this guy thought he was in charge of the world! But I’ve got no time for that Me-Alpha bullshit, so I left him alone to manage his corner of the Garden. I got on with reading the other interesting posts and messages.

* Photo: Me with German Lady *

Of course, not everything is fun and games on FaceBush. Some One gets old, some other One gets sick, some One eats something they shouldn’t. The truth always comes out on FaceBush! That’s why I hate it when any One calls it “fake news”. I think it’s impossible to cover up the truth when things go wrong, and it’s impossible to ignore reality when it’s staring you in the face. Or up your nose!

Take that German lady, the One with the pointy ears. She always liked to pretend she was in charge, maybe because she was bigger and stronger than any One else. Don’t get me wrong, I was very polite when she was around, and I never put my nose anywhere it shouldn’t be. But then she got this belly problem and started leaving lots of bad news reports on FaceBush. Phew, it was almost enough to turn me off FaceBush (almost, but not entirely). And it was so fast - one day she’s spreading her bad news around, and the next day she’s gone. No bye-byes or see-you-laters, just gone. But I noticed her old Master replaced her real quick with a pretty new One. I can’t wait to be introduced to her!

* Photo: Other Ladies on FaceBush *

So now I’ve brought up the subject of girlies, I guess I’d better explain why I just can’t ignore their in-your-face messages on FaceBush. I’m a boy, and I’ve always been told I’m a Good Boy. Nevertheless, every One has their limits, and these girlies are starting to push me a bit beyond those limits. I mean, there’s only so much a boy can take, even a Good Boy.

So here are these girlies putting it all out there on FaceBush. Hey, come and get it, they’re all shouting! You want it, I’ve got it! But I don’t get it - what’s the rush? Why is everyone prancing around and showing off now, all at the same time? And it’s not like I wouldn’t be more than happy to oblige them (all of them) but my Master seems to have other ideas. Some of those messages are really long and complicated, but I only get a few seconds to try and read through them all. Sometimes there’s a whole lot of them on top of each other. Then, just when I’m getting into it - boinck - I’m pulled away and expected to get back into the Walk.

What I’d like is for those girlies to show a little more self-control on FaceBush. OK, you’re hot and ready to go, but you’re not the only One out there. And while it may be a buzz to read your messages on FaceBush, this really needs some face-to-face time. Come see me down in the Garden; behind the FaceBush would do just fine. Then, afterward, we can both leave a cute message to let every One know.

* Best Photo of Me *

I hope I didn’t get too personal or anything, but I wanted every One to know why FaceBush is so essential. And if you agree, please share this message with all your friends! Have a beautiful day, keep in touch!

* Acknowledgements *

I want to take this opportunity to thank my good friend, Ric Testori, for helping me get this story somewhere other than on FaceBush. Like most other Ones, I normally assume that People can read as good as we can. But I know that’s not true. I don’t understand how they can be happy when more than half the news of the world is missing to them. I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like to never notice those girlie posts on FaceBush - I get embarrassed just thinking about it. So, thank you Ricardo, I’ll see you on a Walk!

Oh, and one final comment. I asked Ric to include images of the main points I was making in this story, but it didn’t work. Just like most of the messages on FaceBush, he had no idea what I was talking about. So instead of some seriously useful images, we ended up with the silly selection of photos at the top of the page. I don’t know -what can I say?

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