Facebook is a treasure trove of information – including when relationships end. A recent New York Times article tracked what break ups occur based on Facebook user information:
In a recent TED Talk discussing the project, Mr. McCandless explained that most breakups occur three times in the year — in the weeks leading up to spring breaks, right before the start of the summer holidays and a couple of weeks before Christmas. His research also found that people tend to break up with their significant others on Mondays, presumably after a weekend grapple. Thankfully, the lowest day of the year for breakups is Christmas.
I wonder if couples break up so that one of them does not have to buy the other a gift? This goes to show that you have to be careful with the information you share online. Believe it or not, statistics are being gathered on what you share, how you play Farmville (I refuse to play that game), and how many pictures you share.
I would like to get my hands on some Facebook religious affiliation statistics and blog the results.
Maybe this is a good time to make all your info on facebook private. Go! And share less information about yourself. Someone is reading about you right now!
3 Comments
Interesting! For better or worse, I’m choosing to add my information to the mix. On the one hand, I do get tired of advertisers contacting me. On the other hand, I want to be part of the crowd’s wisdom so that Christians are represented too.
Also, I figure, I need to learn to live in this new glass house where too many people haven’t yet learned not to throw stones.
I wonder if Facebook gathers information about where breakups happen. I heard once that restaurants were the most popular place, but maybe that was an unreliable source, like Seinfeld…and certainly before the days of texting/Twitter/Facebook…
Pretty obvious. Two weeks before Christmas, you think about the longevity of the relationship, meeting parents, (question where it is going). It’s a good time to get off the cart. One week away, it’s too late to cancel trip plans etc without making the situation seem like a big deal. Plus who wants to break someone’s hear at Christmas.