Facebook can be a funny thing. It’s a website that nearly everyone uses. It’s a website where you can keep in touch with friends you once went to school with, people you go to college with, and friends in general. Lately, with an incredibly hectic school schedule I have used it to blow off steam and to keep in touch with people I need to work with until this semester is over. It recently struck me how easy it is to fall into that trap of misunderstanding on the Internet though and it led me to wonder how people handle it when others are so sensitive about things that have nothing to do with them.
So, here is the example. A student actor is in a play. The play is for a class that is being directed by another student. The actual play is ludicrous. It involves three people, one of which is disabled. The play, Vines in a Vacuum, is a one act play that lasts for about 10-12 minutes. It’s all about a crumbling marriage between a young woman and her husband. The girl spends her life taking care of her disabled brother and her uncaring, selfish husband. The scene involves the disabled man speaking to the audience (he does not speak to his sister or brother-in-law) about his situation and his family.
In between these monologues the sister and brother-in-law converse with each other, they attempt to care for the disabled person who is less than thrilled at the choices they try to make for him, and they fight about the situation they are in. You see, the sister took her brother in and the husband is not thrilled he’s not top on the list of priorities for his wife anymore. To put it bluntly he wants the disabled brother to die. He says it more than once. If done correctly, I am told that you are supposed to empathize with the husband as his feelings are quite normal in a situation like this (I can’t say I am familiar with them, but that may just be me). In some cases, you are supposed to also empathize with the sister, who has no interest in sex with her husband because she’s too tired taking care of her brother. She’s spread thin and has nothing to give anyone, even herself. The one person you’re not supposed to empathize with is the one in the wheelchair (makes a lot of sense, right?).
The play is rather hideous. It is stated that there is insurance money involved so one would assume that Gene (the disabled man) was in an accident. Of course, Gene also states that he cannot move other than his head (making him a quadriplegic) and he cannot speak (a stroke victim, perhaps). Looking at all of the symptoms he could have something similar to ALS, as well, but again, that would not give him any insurance money. Then again, an average accident isn’t going to turn him into a non-vocal quad that can still swallow his food, but can’t speak. So, he’s got multiple symptoms of various diseases and possible accidents. I guess the point is that he’s in a chair. That’s really all that matters in this ten minute monstrosity.
Well, I saw the play and to be honest, I only saw it because my boyfriend was in it. I was pleased to see that he stole the show. Many people came up and commented on how amazing he was, how honest his portrayal was, and how it made them cry. On Facebook, I commented on how the play was mediocre, but that he did a fabulous job turning nothing into something. Unfortunately, little comments like that (meant about the play not the production) can easily be misunderstood.
What I don’t understand is how one comes up with a reaction for a misunderstanding like that. If I read something and jump to conclusions, I am most likely going to ask about what it is and if my assumptions are correct. I am not going to unfriend someone or block them or just assume I know what they are talking about. It’s sad to think that with as much technology as we have to take advantage of, and how far we have come in so many areas, it’s still in most people’s nature to assume the worst about other people.
So how do you handle Internet social cues? If you see something and think it means something but aren’t sure do you ask or do you just assume the worst?
Technorati Tags: Vines in a Vacuum, One Act Play, Facebook, Misunderstanding, Actor, Director
Written by Ashtyn Evans – Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn attends Wright State where she is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.
