BookClub logo

My strange choice of a Book

Because I choose Facebook as my virtual creation choice for a book that changed my life

By Novel AllenPublished 10 months ago Updated 10 months ago 4 min read
My strange choice of a Book
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

I remember watching the movie of Mark Zuckerberg's motivation for creating Facebook. If I am remembering correctly, it all stemmed from his being heartbroken and a bit angry over the breaking up of a relationship. He is a brilliant, but awkward genius, much like many of his successful peers who had rocky relationships. So, we can see that inspiration can be attained form any source anywhere. Facebook started very small in his college years and grew to be a worldwide phenomenon.

Facebook was practically a birthday gift to me in 2004, seeing as my birthday is February 6th, and its birthday is February 4th, written with a smile from me.

"Facebook; a social networking service originally launched as TheFacebook on February 4, 2004, before changing its name to simply Facebook in August 2005. It was founded by Mark Zuckerberg and college roommates and fellow Harvard University students, in particular Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes. The website's membership was initially limited by the founders to Harvard students, but was expanded to other colleges in the Boston area, the Ivy League, and gradually most universities in the United States and Canada, corporations, and by September 2006, to everyone with a valid email address along with an age requirement of being 13 or older". (Wiki).

Welcome to Facebook.

Mark Zuckerberg in 2005

Facebook now probably comes in a close second to the Bible, as the best read 'book' in the world. Before WhatsApp, I spent a fortune on phonecards calling relatives and friends in the Caribbean and all over the world. Now I can tap a button for free and do the same thing. Thank you, Mark Zuckerberg. I do feel for the card companies, I hope they fared well.

Ways in which this qualifies as a humongous, gigantic, larger than life book.

1. It is a virtual E-Reader

2. You have to turn the pages

3. There are many stories recorded within this one great book

4. Many persons have access to its vast repertoire of fantastic, funny, informative and extremely wide array of life, happening all around the world on a play by play auto rotate cycle.

5. It is an ongoing series of stories which will end only with the end of times.

Personally, I avoided Facebook as much as I could in its initial first few years, having had an intense phobia of social media. Then I made an account and parked it for another few years. I had no intention of ever displaying my awkward and (I thought) dull existence for all the world to see.

Then one day, I joined an unfortunate site which lost me a few dollars. I then had to activate and use Facebook. It was while doing this very doubtful activity that I came upon Vocal Media. I paused to take a closer look, and the rest is history. I quit the other site, losing my investment, (I was terrible at online sales anyway) and started writing.

Anne Nygard - Unsplash

One genius idea led me to another genius idea. A site where I could write with abandon, and they would even pay me to write. Could this be true? I could write my questionable stories, and get it published where I could go back and read it as often as I could, no more losing my scraps of paper or my notebooks every time that I had to move or relocate. I had found writing Heaven. The difficult weight of my past seemed a lot lighter, my mind could wander to paths unknown and so lose myself in creativity and imagination.

To me this was a culmination of my life's travel, to this place of peace and total enjoyment of that which I loved to do best. I have thought of writing books, but what do I know about writing a book. Although now I have learned so much on Vocal, that I feel confident that I could attempt that book and be pretty good at it. Hopefully, along with writing and reading, there would be a bit of the controversial that ultimately makes writing a dramatic and rewarding experience. I must say that I have not been disappointed, there is much to keep one occupied on this site.I feel blessed to have found it.

I pray for a long life, hopefully, maybe if my number is not called within the roll up yonder, so that I can continue to write any and everything, read and get into people's business and peek into the dark recesses of their minds, some daker than others.

Like a lot of folks on Vocal, I eat, sleep and dream stories, finding them everywhere. Like a drug, it is addictive. Whatever one is doing, the call of the site whispers like the call of the wild. You cannot wait to get on and begin reading and writing.

So, no matter where you are in this fleeting, yet beautiful life of ours, you can find the heart of that which you enjoy the most, just a flick of a page away or maybe just around a corner.

My story is not from a book, per se, but who can qualify or quantify for sure what a book is these days. We now have many versions of virtual books and online electronic media that I have not even heard of.

I guess it is all about perspectives and where our minds can lead us.

Anik Mandal - Unsplash

......................................................................................................

NonfictionReading ChallengeDiscussion

About the Creator

Novel Allen

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. ~~ Rabindranath Tagore~~

Enjoyed the story?
Support the Creator.

Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed. You could also pledge your support or give them a one-off tip, letting them know you appreciate their work.

Subscribe For FreePledge Your Support

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  3. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  1. Expert insights and opinions

    Arguments were carefully researched and presented

  2. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  3. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

  4. Masterful proofreading

    Zero grammar & spelling mistakes

  5. On-point and relevant

    Writing reflected the title & theme

Add your insights

Comments (13)

  • The Invisible Writer10 months ago

    Really enjoyed this Novel and now we are Birthday buddies because mine is February 6th as well. Facebook is also how I stumbled across Facebook. And yes I agree it is a book.

  • D. ALEXANDRA PORTER10 months ago

    February 6th: Got it! You proposed an interesting perspective that Facebook qualifies as a book. You are right, and on some subliminal level, I recognized that. I am sure my stubborness in accepting it stems from my erroneous, egotistical belief that my book smarts put me in a superior class. I know. I admitted the error and ego issues. LOL!

  • ema10 months ago

    Your choice is very interesting. Unfortunately Facebook and I had a fight years ago and I left without looking back... 😂 But I loved the movie on Facebook as I love all the stories that represent the realization of a dream. Something that didn't exist before it is possible thanks to an idea! This story also teaches us that it takes a lot of work to make dreams come true...

  • Gerard DiLeo10 months ago

    Nicely done, Novel!

  • EYHCS10 months ago

    Novel, this was excellent work, and I think you hit the nail on the head. Facebook is a downloadable living book that keeps giving and evolving. I, too, am grateful for finding my way to Vocal. A place to create from the tendrils of my ever-evolving and extremely active mind! Bravo!!!

  • You losing that money led you to Facebook again and then to Vocal and then to get to know us all! Everything happens for a reason I guess!

  • Grz Colm10 months ago

    That sure is a strange book, haha but the journey lead you to writing, which is a good thing. I still prefer hard copy books though. ☺️

  • L.C. Schäfer10 months ago

    Ahh but do you remember Tom from MySpace 😍

  • Sid Aaron Hirji10 months ago

    Very interesting idea. I have a facebook for school but not big into it. Great idea

  • Darkos10 months ago

    Yoay :) ! I love the idea of a book! and all You have written in there ! much Love to You !

  • Scott Christenson10 months ago

    That's an interesting journal that you made to Vocal Media. I find Vocal so much more positive than FB or Twitter. And I had to laugh at the top book on the 'book shelf' titled "Do Epic Shit" haha that's an amazing stack of slightly ridiculous how to succeed and get rich quick books.

  • Jay Kantor10 months ago

    Dear Novel - I always turn to the next 'Page' to see what you've got in store for us next - you 'inspire' me - J-Bud

  • Hannah Moore10 months ago

    This feels positively subversive! But raises a valid point.

Novel AllenWritten by Novel Allen

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

© 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.