Q: Should I respond to posts on my wall as comments under that post, or should I post on their wall? -Too many places to respond

A: Thank you so much for asking this question, Too Many Places! I have been waiting to speak on this subject since Facebook introduced the ability to leave comments on wall posts and boy, do I have a lot to say.  At first glance, this new feature seems like a benevolent gift bestowed upon us by the social networking gods. But let me tell you something, TMP, the commenting feature is a big fat Trojan horse that wants nothing more than to step on your feelings with a steel-toed boot.  For example, say you write ‘i miss you!!!’ on the Facebook wall of a friend who has recently moved to LA.  How would you feel if said recently-relocated friend wrote their ‘Me too!’ response as a comment on their own wall instead of proclaiming the mutual missing nature of your relationship on your wall for all of your friends to see?? You’d feel like downing a fifth of Ciroc, right!? Right. Don’t get me wrong, TMP, the comment feature isn’t all bad.  It’s perfect for provoking jealousy in exes and frenemies via long, drawn-out, easily-read exchanges between you and a new love or a cool jealousy-inducing friend.  It’s even ok for innocuous exchanges like making dinner plans, but in most cases, commenting on your own wall is the equivalent of writing in your own yearbook: it’s verboten.  The bottom line is that writing on people’s walls makes them feel good; it makes them feel special; and it’s one of the ideals Facebook was built upon. So venture out of your virtual comfort zone and spread the love, won’t you?

Love,

Lauren