Topfan

Last week I got a message from Facebook that I earned a badge. You’ve probably received this before, as well. From now on I could tell the world I was a ‘topfan’ after I reacted a couple of times to a page I liked. I laughed, ’cause who decides wether I am a topfan and does that make me different somehow? Of course it’s a positive thing and meant to make you happy.

Rewards

I’m all for rewards. The more the better. But I question this badge. Some time ago, some people working in admin at Facebook decided to reward people who took the time and effort to comment more than once on a subject/person on Facebook. ‘Let’s give them a badge,’ they must’ve thought. This way they will feel better about themselves.

Value

Apparently it works, ’cause I see people picked it up. There are lots of topfans around. It’s really fine with me. I won’t judge anyone. I just wonder if there is such a thing as a ‘bottom fan, a not-so-topfan, a less than serious fan’ or any other kind of fan. And who is to decide which sticker I get to have? And does this make me feel any more important than somebody who’s not a topfan, yet?

Past

Maybe it’s still got something to do with my past. I used to be a topfan of Donny Osmond as a young teenager. My room was filled with posters and I cried every time I heard ‘Puppy love’. Of course I was teased in school. But I couldn’t care less. I was fan and I loved this kid. But this was then and now is now. I’m no fan anymore.

Admiration

Now I do admire people, lots of them in fact. There are men and women I gladly get inspired by. I take their examples and try to incorporate their actions in my life. But never before I make them mine first. Never to blindly copy. A badge is nice, it’s like a medal. But I would rather really deserve one by expanding my limits, then to just comment on something someone else did. Unless I take a personal or global chance to make a change.