IF THERE’S ONE thing I cannot stand on social media, it’s threads which document a social interaction in real-time, without the consent of those at its centre.
Since the advent of social media, all and any of us have been vulnerable to having our image or words splashed across someone else’s platform, leaving us at the mercy of a public who feel entitled to comment, critique or criticise.
Now, to be clear, I’m not talking about the one-time use of a photo, the subject of which has had their anonymity fully protected, in order to make or bolster a point.
Nor am I talking about the time your mate uploaded that snap of you looking like a moose and then refused to take it down.
Yes, it was a savage move, and yes, we know it was an unfair representation of how you actually looked that night, but that’s not the issue here.
I’m talking about moments, exchanges and interactions you considered private splashed across a randomer’s social platform.
I’m talking about Twitter threads which, to all intents and purposes, act as a real-time soap opera, complete with characters, storylines and public commentary.
My problem is that in the vast majority of cases the characters at its centre have no idea their exchange is being documented online for the entertainment of thousands, sometimes millions.
The latest example of this came in the form of a thread which acted as a modern-day fairytale (sigh) as its poster told the story of a romance born of a seat-switch on a recent flight.
Social media user, Rosey Blair, explained that she asked a fellow passenger to switch seats in order that she and her boyfriend could sit together – a request which the female passenger fulfilled.
Upon switching seats, Rosey’s fellow passenger struck up a conversation with another passenger, and they appeared to hit it off.
And how do we know? Because Rosey documented almost every exchange they engaged in over the course of the flight, complete with photographs and running commentary.
Last night on a flight home, my boyfriend and I asked a woman to switch seats with me so we could sit together. We made a joke that maybe her new seat partner would be the love of her life and well, now I present you with this thread.
— Rosey Blair (@roseybeeme) July 3, 2018
Twitter users were suddenly privy to a private interaction among two individuals, seemingly without their consent.
We learned that they were both single, lived in the same area and worked in the fitness industry. We found out that the guy showed a photo of his mother to the woman, we heard what they chose from the menu, we learned that the girl switched up her hairstyle in the bathroom, and we knew that they followed each other on Instagram.
— Rosey Blair (@roseybeeme) July 3, 2018
While thousands delighted in the romantic nature of the meeting, to me it felt invasive, made me uncomfortable and compelled me to question why anyone would think this was an appropriate use of their time or social media privileges.
— Rosey Blair (@roseybeeme) July 3, 2018
Yes, I know there was no malice whatsoever in the motive, and I have no doubt that Rosey and her partner truly delighted in the meeting they helped bring about, but was it necessary to give a running commentary?
It’s highly unlikely she would have asked the strangers in question if she could document their interaction on social media, and it’s almost inconceivable that she would suggest she use their meeting as fodder for an Instagram story and subsequent Twitter thread.
Why? Because it’s fairly unlikely they would agree to it. I mean, how many would?
Then again, you might be lucky…
And this time, Rosey was.
It was established that the guy at the centre of the burgeoning romance had at some point realised she was taking photos, and said as much on social media upon landing.
Hilarious... Knew you were taking pictures 😂 https://t.co/dTuFA8RI1O
— Euan Holden (@EuanHolden) July 4, 2018
And to be fair to all involved, he appeared to take it well, but I don’t know many that would.
We mean, there’s a still a question mark over how the woman at the centre of the exchange feels about the spotlight.
So here are my updates: I have spoken to #planebae @EuanHolden and have heard that our mystery woman is still unsure about the spotlight but feels positively about all of this. You might see some of us on your tv tomorrow morning. 😘
— Rosey Blair (@roseybeeme) July 4, 2018
Sure, Rosey’s thread is just one example of a social media phenomenon which seeks to provide users with candid (and real-time) versions of scripted entertainment.
But, like me, not everyone is on board with it.
Anyone else find that airplane seat switching story extremely creepy and invasive ??
— apple juice enthusiast (@harry_monmouth) July 5, 2018
It’s been interesting to see where people stand on the airplane love story. I personally lean towards it being creepy as hell to spend an entire flight watching two people and to take multiple videos and pictures of those people to post on the internet. Like REALLY creepy.
— ☎️Beckyw/theGoodHair (@pinkis4gangstas) July 5, 2018
stop puttin that damn airplane love story on my feed that shit was creepy as fuck not romantic? good to know that people can't befriend each other on a plane without some nosy asshole recording their every single interaction
— loz 🌙🐇 (@yattermang) July 5, 2018
Am I the only one totally creeped out by the viral airplane romance Twitter thread? It seems all parties involved are okay with it which is great but I would have been mortified as one of the subjects of the thread, the photos & the social media snooping.
— Karen (@KBoopaloo) July 5, 2018
The airplane meet cute story represents the worst of social media. It's boring and overhyped, as well as invasive and creepy. It's an annoying insistence on wanting life to fit a movie, in this case some kind of room com. And the vicarious living through others' imagined moments https://t.co/h21Mbw1F57
— Chetanya Robinson (@chetanyarobins) July 5, 2018
Regarding that super creepy invasive airplane seat switching story. I'm glad I wasn't the only one super bothered by that thread. https://t.co/EylgMETE8C
— Artisanal Rubbish Pyre (@AberantShard) July 4, 2018
I mean I tweet about people I observe too (like the poor woman who dropped her side dish yesterday) but that was the only descriptor I gave. No location, no photo, no description of the woman, no description of the side dish. She could have been anyone anywhere.
— Karen (@KBoopaloo) July 5, 2018
Something to think about.
