Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Two People, One Family, One Facebook Page?

Among the many things I found interesting about Sword Art Online, I found the marriage concept interesting. Players who got married in the game gained access to their spouses weaponry; they shared useful items in the game.


Anti-climactic, I know. How is that any different than couples sharing assets in real life? That's what I found interesting! The game was surprisingly realistic in that way. The idea of people joining together not only in real life but in their virtual lives is interesting.

I recently came across a Mashable article about people combining their virtual worlds - not through online games - through social media. It's apparently a growing trend for couples to blog together, have joint Instagram accounts, etc. However, some people are not so open to that concept.

No one wants to be Scumbag Steve and Stacy...


Personally, I have mixed feelings about this. 

On the one hand, it's kind of sweet that couples want to share a typically private part of their lives with each other. (I mean, they do that in every other form of life, right?) Also, as a friend of newlyweds, a joint social network is a great way of watching a real-life love story unfold.

On the other hand, it is a little creepy. Perhaps it's unsettling because it is so uncommon, but the idea of a joint social network sounds like a couple smothering each other. It's a subtle sign that these two individuals no long exist; there is only "the couple". It's disconcerting to friends who were there before "the couple" existed.

How much do you want to bet DJ Jazzy Jeff doesn't hang around as much anymore?


What's the proper etiquette for this? Is it too soon to join accounts if you're not married? If the relationship doesn't work out, what happens then? Is it something to put in a prenup? This is far too complicated for me.

Social media is an extension of yourself, of sorts. It often represents the way you want others to see you. (Whether accurate or not.) I suppose sharing an online medium with a romantic partner is a way of publicizing the way you want others to perceive your relationship... No different than being in a public space in the real world...

What do you think? Should couples share social networks?
Share your thoughts on Facebook.  


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