People are lazy. Hardly anyone bothers doing their own research these days, even now that we have ChatGPT, Claude and all other manner of search tool to handle even the most basic of questions. So why do people still insist on using Facebook to do everything for them bar wiping their own backsides?
It really grinds my gears when people ask their Facebook network and groups to answer a question they could easily find out for themselves. Or, worse, asking questions, that nobody is likely to know the answer to. Or moaning about something that everyone else is just getting on and dealing with. Or making vague threats that they have no intention or ability to act upon.
See how many of these you recognise for your own Facebook communities. I bet you’ve seen them all.
Post Office – “What time does the post office at Asda open?” How hard can it be to find that out? One simple Google search, one simple phone call, surely? Or, just remember what you were told the last time you were too bone idle to find out for yourself.
Chopper – “Anyone know what the police helicopter was doing at one o’clock this morning” Yeah, I would imagine the pilot knew and I’d hazard a guess the thieving little scrotes they were trying to track down had a fair idea, too. How on earth the rest of us were supposed to know when we were all busy ripping out Zs is beyond me.
Crimestoppers – This is my current favourite, I love this one. Somebody has their car scraped or bike nicked in the dead of night and then, the day after, warns the culprit that they have captured said scum-bag’s face as clear as day on their Ring doorbell and they will take it to the police if the perp doesn’t come forward immediately of their own accord. Well, I put it you, anonymousposter2372, that you don’t have any such evidence, do you. Otherwise you’d just hot-foot it to the nearest plod-house armed with your little SD card, wouldn’t you? You’re fooling no-one.
Roadworks – “OMG! The temporary lights at Suicide Bend aren’t working / aren’t set properly / are causing chaos / have made me late for work / some other over the top dramatic whinge”. For Pete’s sake, stop moaning for five minutes! Find another route or, God forbid, get up a bit earlier than usual.
Bin Day – “Anyone know what colour bin is due out today?” Yes, of course, we all do, because we all have the little note from the council pinned up on fringe door. It even has little coloured circles on it to help you if you can’t read the word blue or brown. I sometimes like to respond to this by deliberately giving the wrong answer. Even better, I deliberately put out the wrong one to see if any one will follow suit. Just call me The Binfluencer!
See you on social media – Councillor Danny Fletcher*
*It isn’t really Danny Fletcher, it’s Griff. That’s just an in-joke for my Ashton-in-Makerfield audience
