Note before you go on: The term “crush” is something I picked up from “tumblr crushes“. Crushes, used in this context, are our online Likes.
I have a confession to make. I have a number of Facebook crushes. I have one instagram crush. I have a few tumblr crushes. And I have one blogger crush whom I follow wherever she goes. I have crushes on people I have never met. I have crushes on some people from a distant or even forgotten part of my life. Maybe I should not admit to crushes in my current life (grins).
My Facebook crushes are photos which I find interesting and status updates that grab my attention at that time. Your music posts, the books you are reading, your children’s cute shots, your artistic shots, the food you eat. If I consistently Like you, please don’t think that I like you – the person. My crushes are gender less. I am liking your thought; the way you capture the moment. If I am a consistent Liker or better yet an avid commenter then that means you fascinate me beyond the single moments. This now means that – I like your spirit, the way you think, your creativity, the things you do, your passion. That is, I like your mind. No more, no less. What are we online for. Surely, it’s for validation. Don’t we all love the buzz we get from online validation.
If I am your classmate from primary school or a vague work acquaintance, and I like and comment on your posts, don’t think me creepy. Or worse, don’t think I am your secret admirer. My crush means that I Like your current thought. If you are my friend’s partner, don’t think I have secret designs for you. Or worse, if we are of the same gender, don’t think that I would turn for you. Gasp! Please take my Likes as they are. No more no less. You are but my Facebook crush. Don’t over-think it. Don’t lose sleep over it. And we may never even speak about it. I may never even seek you out if I happen to visit your city. Likewise, I will not expect you to seek me out if you happen to be nearby. I may never want to befriend you beyond our online relationship.
You are allowed to relish my online attention though. We are free spirits. We should allow ourselves to appreciate the beautiful minds of other like minded spirits.
If I notice that you are my consistent Liker and commenter then I know exactly what it is all about. Trust that I am not reading anything into it. So Like away, my darlings!
Remember too that your comments take me to another dimension, if you know what I mean!
Welcome to reciprocity!