Monday, July 16, 2012

The Facebook Birthday Experiment

Last July 13th, I turned 36. I decided to conduct a little experiment to see who would remember my birthday without the usual Facebook reminders. I turned off my birthday notifications and asked my wife not to post anything on my account.

In today's social media age, it's common to receive hundreds of birthday greetings on Facebook. While it's nice to feel loved, I often reminisce about the simpler times when birthday wishes were conveyed through phone calls and text messages. I rarely celebrate my birthday, so a heartfelt greeting from loved ones is all I truly need to make my day special.

I often struggle with remembering dates, including birthdays. This has led to some embarrassing situations, like forgetting the birthdays of my family members, including my wife! To combat this, I've resorted to using my phone as a digital reminder. Additionally, I rely on social media to keep track of important dates.

The results of my birthday experiment were eye-opening. Despite having a large number of Facebook friends, I only received a few birthday greetings - from my wife, my sister from Canada and an old friend. This experience highlighted the impact of social media on our connections. While it can be a helpful tool, it's important to remember the value of genuine, personal interactions. Overall I received 3 birthday greetings!

I understand that forgetting birthdays can be frustrating, but it's important to be honest and apologize. We all get busy, but it's essential to make time for the people we care about, especially on special occasions. Claiming to be too busy is not a valid excuse, especially when we used to take the time to send cards or gifts or to even make a phone call.

I apologize for depriving you of the opportunity to wish me a happy birthday, and for missing out on your kind words. I know you understand, as true friends always do. Thank you for your friendship.

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