Your Death And Your Social Media Accounts -- What Happens?

Design by Jerome D'Costa (June 2019)

Billions of people in the world use different forms of modern social media. These media are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and more. Presently, Facebook alone is said to have more than 2.38 billion active users (meaning, users who logged in Facebook in the last 30 days). Among them, about 8,000 users die every day!

The Oxford Internet Institute (OII) analysts predict that in the next 50 years, the dead will outnumber the living users on Facebook. They say that by 2070, the dead users could outnumber the living ones. 

So, the question arises as to what to do with the social media accounts of the dead users?

The social media companies are coming up with their own ideas and solutions. 

For more on the topic, please read the following:

• What Happens to Your Social Media Accounts After You Die (May 29, 2019)
• Digital graveyard: are the dead taking over Facebook? (April 29, 2019)
• Facebook's Future As a Digital Graveyard (April 29, 2019)
• What will happen to my Facebook account if I pass away?
• How do I report a deceased person's account on Instagram?
• How to contact Twitter about a deceased family member's account
• Digital Graveyard: This is what happens to all your social media accounts after you die (Dec. 30, 2018)
• This is what happens to all your social media accounts after you die (Dec. 31, 2019)
• What happens to your Facebook profile after you die (Nov. 11, 2015)

The Poem of the Month (January, 2011):THE DIGITAL CHAOS

_

An abstract art depicting interconnections
Doodle (Dhaka: July 2, 1991) © Jerome D'Costa

The Digital Chaos

The Internet, cellphone, computer, video games, i-pods, tablets and the like
Are the modern means of digital communication.
These media are proliferating at a breakneck speed
Unseen anything like this before.

Our previous slow-paced and restful lives
Are, as if, remnants of the distant past.
The life now is "go, get it now,"
Now, now, now, n-o-w!

The information overload is too much to bear,
The urgency is the call of the day.
The resultant chaos is evident in our lives
Though denied by the stakeholders of these media.

We're losing our own identity,
The span of our attention is shortening,
The length of our patience is on the wane
Making us all the more hyper.

We're hiding behind the masks of digitalia,
Giving a kick on the back of our face-to-face communication.
Reading of books is already becoming a chore,
Taking us on to the long road of illiteracy.

We're becoming addicted to these media,
Ultimately losing control of ourselves.
Unnecessary bombardment of personal information
Is making our lives more stressful.

If the digital life takes over our regular life,
We become more and more demeaned, undignified,
Only the balance between these two lives
Can bring about a stability in our personality and outlook.

"Missed Connections": A New Social Trend in Toronto

Graphics (Toronto: November, 2009) © Joachim Romeo D'Costa

It was always there, but, previously, there were no appropriate means or media to communicate it to the intended person. People meet people -- in streets, buses, trains, planes, shopping malls, and the like. Some people, in the course of this chance meeting, like or have fascination for certain people but do not have the instant chance or courage to let them know of their feelings about them. They are also too shy to let them know immediately that they would like to meet again. This happens in every country, in every culture.

With the growth of the digital media (the Internet, cellphones, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites), people are participating in them in droves from the security of their homes and offices. Previously, what was their inner secret is now being hawked publicly. People, especially in the West, are no longer that much reticent or shy to express their inner thoughts and feelings.

The Craiglist.ca and kijiji.ca are two websites that publish such thoughts and feelings under Missed Connections. This is a new social trend that's gaining wider currency. 24-Hours, a free daily newspaper from Toronto, for about a year republished some of these website postings on its pages. As a part the new social trend and a record of social history, I am quoting below some of these postings.

• Sunglasses in winter? So there you were, just came and sat down in front of me on the subway [underground train] at Kennedy [Station] and our eyes locked for, like, 2 seconds and many times after that. Good thing those sunglasses (in winter?) were on top of your head rather than on your eyes because your eyes just attracted me a lot. Me: Male with a full-hawk hairstyle doing my sudoku puzzle.
• Dundas Street car...1,2,3: You got off at Ossington station and we shared, not one, but three backward glances. I sat beside you, but couldn't get up the guts to talk to you. You're cute blonde with very blue eyes. I have brown hair and was wearing a black jacket and a blue striped scarf. I stayed on the street car, but maybe I shouldn't have.
• You in Captain Crunk Shirt: At around 12:15 a.m. you walked into the subway going eastbound that I was in with four of my loud friends. You were the guy with the nice eyes and wearing this Captain Crunk shirt my friends and I thought was so funny. I was the girl with curly brown hair in the black shirt and skirt, having a Tim Hortons tea. I had to get off at Main Station. You gave me the nicest smile and really made my night.
• In the beige coat: To the girl in the beige coat: I saw you just West of Jarvis [Street] on King [Street], near the Rainbow cinema. You were standing (smoking) under the overhand, out of the rain. It was about 3 p.m. on Tuesday. I was gingerly stepping through the muck and you smiled at me like no one ever has...you walked on, as did I, but I'm wishing I didn't...Tell me what I looked like and dinner's on me.
• Too shy to say hi: I've had a crush on you for ages, and I totally geek out whenever I see you at lunchtime. If you are attached then that is fine, but geez, I am way too shy to say hi. It's just silly now, but I think you are awesome and I have often wondered your name. You wear plaid shirts and engineer boots. Location: Queen West [Street], John [Street] and Richmond [Street].
• Music lover: Dear cool headphone girl, I see you like to sit in the back corner as well. Hope to see you again. Location: 25 [Number] bus north, Wednesday.
• At the Wal-Mart in Aurora: First you passed me in one of the DVD aisles. You smiled and kinda grabbed yourself. You are super hot and bearish. We continued to flirt around the store, making eye contact several times. We finally chatted and explained that I was shopping with my sister. I gave you my number. I hope you use it.
• Looking for Nurse at Brampton: I was standing in line at hospital Timmie's [Tim Horton's Coffee Shop]. You were in front of me with co-worker and you were discussing time off at holidays. You turned around and gave me beautiful smile -- a few more times. You caught me checking you out and you smiled at me. That uniform does you no justice as you are a beautiful woman. You were wearing dark uniform with a white sweater. I detected an accent too. You are about 5'5" with blue eyes, strawberry shoulder length hair. Can we meet for coffee?
• Nice Eyelashes: I sat next to you on the train to Kennedy Stn [Station]. You had lovely black eyelashes. I asked you if they were real. Your name begins with N. I wanted to ask you out for coffee but we reached Kennedy station just then.
• Cute guy doing his homework: You were sitting on a log doing homework(?) My do came over to say hi. You asked what kind of dog she was and we chatted about where you've been in Canada. I thought you were cute as hell! If you're interested in a coffee/drink sometime get back to me. Tell me what kind of do she is and where you're from. Would like to hang out sometime.
• Woman at Tony Stacey Centre: Saw you at Tony Stacey Centre. You are tall and good looking. I was wearing tan pants and a blue coat. You were outside having lunch with I assume your grandfather. would like to talk with you, let me know what you were wearing and hopefully we can meet for coffee.
• Cutest bus driver: I think you are the cutest bus driver ever...I looked forward to seeing you in the morning on my way home. I finally got the guts to start up a conversation...I asked if you were Spanish, to which you replied no. You mentioned your Portuguese background...I would love to find out more about you...I hope you read this and reply...Location: northbound on Caledonia.
• Beverly Street -- You smiled as I sat on the steps: I was enjoying the sudden downpour of snow when you walked by and flashed a gorgeous little smile my way. You were putting on some makeup (or adjusting?). It was completely unexpected and I was mesmerized by the snow, your cuteness...Fancy a coffee? We could admire the snow together!
• The tall, dark and handsome gentleman: You were the tall, dark and handsome gentleman ordering lunch yesterday at Sprout [restaurant]. I was the short woman with curly reddish hair, a white top and checked pants. I noticed you as soon as you walked in and I gave a glance on my way out. I think you may have noticed me noticing you. Location: Yonge [Street] & St. Clair [Avenue].

The Pope Encourages Priests to Engage in Digital Media

_

Image courtesy: Karen Hall's blog Some Have Hats

Pope Benedict XVI, in a message on January 24 for the 44th World Communication Day to be observed on May 16, 2010, urged Roman Catholic priests to participate in the digital media. The theme for this year's World Communication Day is The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word.

The pope also said: "The spread of multimedia communications and its rich 'menu of options' might make us think it sufficient simply to be present on the Web, or to see it only as a space to be filled. Yet priests can rightly be expected to be present in the world of digital communications as faithful witnesses to the Gospel, exercising their proper role as leaders of communities which increasingly express themselves with the different 'voices' provided by the digital marketplace. Priests are thus challenged to proclaim the Gospel by employing the latest generation of audiovisual resources (images, videos, animated features, blogs, websites) which, alongside traditional means, can open up broad new vistas for dialogue, evangelization and catechesis."

Pope Benedict added: "Responding adequately to this challenge amid today's cultural shifts, to which young people are especially sensitive, necessarily involves using new communications technologies. The world of digital communication, with its almost limitless expressive capacity, makes us appreciate all the more Saint Paul's exclamation: 'Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel' (1 Corinthians 9:16). The increased availability of the new technologies demands greater responsibility on the part of those called to proclaim the Word, but it also requires them to become more focused, efficient and compelling in their efforts. Priests stand at the threshold of a new era: as new technologies create deeper forms of relationship across greater distances, they are called to respond pastorally by putting the media ever more effectively at the service of the Word."

The pope also mentions: "...A pastoral presence in the world of digital communications, precisely because it brings us into contact with the followers of other religions, non-believers and people of every culture, requires sensitivity to those who do not believe, the disheartened and those who have a deep, unaritculated desire for enduring truth and the absolute. Just as the prophet Isiah envisioned a house of prayer for all peoples (cf. Isiah 56:7), can we not see the web as also offering a space -- like the 'Court of the Gentiles' of the Temple of Jerusalem -- for those who have not yet come to know God?"

Pope Benedict XVI was initially reticent to digital communication media. He gradually began to have increased presence in them. Presently, he is in the YouTube (The Vatican) and websites like Pope to You, including the Facebook and iPhone.

Even before the pope's call, there are hundreds of blogs already being written and managed by Catholic Bishops, priests and Religious, including nuns. There are even greater number of blogs by Catholic lay men and women. I mention below just a handful of them:


Blogs by Catholic Cardinals:

• Cardinal Sean's Blog (Cardinal Sean O'Malley shares his reflections and experiences) (Started blogging on September 19, 2006)
• Cardinal Roger Mahony Blogs L.A. (Los Angeles, California, USA) (Started on October 29, 2009)

Blogs by Catholic Bishops:

• Bishop William Lori's Blog (The Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA) (Started on March 30, 2007)
• Abyssus Abyssum Invocat (Deep Calls to Deep) (Bishop Rene Henry Gracida, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas, USA) (Started on May 26, 2009)
• Viewpoints (Personal Views and Commentaries by Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan, Dagupan City, The Philippines) (Started on April 17, 2003)
• In and Out of Season (Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo's blog) (Jaro, The Philippines) (Started on November 30, 2005)
• The Journey of a Bishop (Archbishop Terence Prendergast of Ottawa, Canada) (Started on January 4, 2009)
• Encounters (Bishop Pat Alo Mati's Blog) (Davao Oriental, The Philippines)

Blogs by Catholic Priests:

• Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth) (Father John Boyle of Ashford, Kent, UK) (Started on August 2, 2009)
• Holypriesthood (Living the priesthood one step at a time) (By Father Benjamin and Father Joel of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA) (Started on September 21, 2007)
• Father Anthony Ho (A spiritual, catechetical and pastoral blog of a priest) (Vancouver, B.C., Canada (Started on June 19, 2008)
• The Hermeneutic of Continuity (Father Tim Finigan) (Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church at Blackfen, South-East London, U.K.) (Started on April 6, 2006)
• A Concord Pastor Comments (Father Austin Fleming commenting on life and ministry in his parish, in the Roman Catholic Church and the world), (Concord, Massachusetts, USA) (Started on August 1, 2008)
• Father Jim Chern's Blog (Montclair State University, New Jersey, USA) (Started on July 14, 2007)
• Catholic Spiritual Direction (Seek Him, Find Him, Follow Him) (Father John Bartunek, L.C.) (New York, USA) (Started on January 5, 2009)
  

Blogs by Catholic Monks:

• Word Incarnate (Abbot Joseph of the Holy Transfiguration Monastery -- aka Mt. Tabor Monastery -- a Byzantine-rite Ukrainian Catholic community) (Redwood Valley, California, USA) (Started May 18, 2005)
• Abbot Cuthbert Johnson (Liturgical and Monastic Subjects) (Benedictine Abbey of St. Mary at Oulton, Staffordshire, UK) (Started on May 30, 2008)
  
• Conventual Frnanciscans (Franciscan Friar Matt's Blog) (Washington, D.C., USA) (Started April 13, 2007)
• Monks on a Mission (Missionary Benedictine Monks of Christ the King Priory) (Schuyler, Nebraska, USA)

This being the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict called upon the priests to participate in the digital media. Besides priests, Religious Brothers, Religious Sisters (nuns), Deacons and Catholic lay men and women also can contribute their mite through these media. Every one has a story to tell, every one has his or her experience of this world -- religious as well as secular. These stories and experiences need to be told and shared in the light of their beliefs. That's the Good News.

Now let us examine a few blogs by Brothers, Sisters, Deacons and lay men and women:


Blogs by Catholic Religious Brothers:

• Brother Patrick's Blog (Brother Patrick Cousins of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart) (Syracuse, New York, USA) (Started on February 13, 2007)
  
• Brother Bubba's Journal (Life in the Hermitage) (Brother John-Paul Ignatius Mary, OLSM) (Iowa, USA) (Started in 2003)
• The Yoke of Christ (Brother Francis de Sales Wagner, O.S.B.) (St. Meinrad Archabbey, Indiana, USA) (Started on December 21, 2008)
• A Minor Friar (The rants and reflections of a brother in Christ) (Brother Charles of the Franciscan Order, USA) (Started on April 24, 2006)

Blogs by Catholic Religious Sisters (Nuns):

• Communitas et caritas (Community and love: The unexpected twists and turns of becoming a nun) (Sister Juliet, RSCJ, of the Society of the Sacred Heart) (USA) (Started on July 26, 2009)
• Ask Sister Mary Martha (Marina de Rey, California, USA) (Started on June 30, 2006)
• A Space for Seeking and Deepening (Witnessing faith in every dimension of life in a world of communication) (Sister Margaret Kerry, FSP) (Boston, Massachusetts, USA) (Started on December 2, 2008)
• WindowstotheSoulBlog (Exploring the spirituality of Catholic media artists) (Sister Marie Paul Curley, FSP) (USA) (Started on August 29, 2008)
• Sisters of the Gospel of Life (Sister Roseann, Sister Amanda and Sister Andrea) (Glasgow, England, UK) (Started on July 8, 2007)

Blogs by Married Catholic Deacons:

• One Deacon's Idle Musings (Deacon Chick O'Leary) (Archdiocese of Chicago, USA) (Started on April 16, 2009)
• The Deacon's Bench (Deacon Greg Kandra) (Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, USA) (Started on May 29, 2007)
• View from the Lake (Deacon Joseph E. Hilber) (Minnesota, USA) (Started March 6, 2006)
• The Speakin' Deacon (Deacon John) (Reflections on the Sunday readings) (Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky, USA) (Started October 31, 2006)
• I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel (Thoughts and homilies on the Sunday gospel) (Deacon Steve) (Diocese of Lansing, Mississippi, USA) (Started in July, 2008)
• Deacon Dan Wright (Diocese of Austin, Texas, USA) (Started on June 24, 2006)
  

Blogs by Catholic Lay Men:

• American Papist (Blogging about life as a Catholic American) (Thomas Peters) (USA) (From September 4, 2005 to January 8, 2010 it was at another blog address) (From January 28, 2010 it started at this new blog address)
  

• RomanCatholicBlog.com (A lay man from Orange County, California, USA) (Started April 1, 2009)

• Catholic Commentary (Joe, a high school teacher) (Romford, Essex, UK) (Started on January 26, 2008)
• Patrick Madrid (An apologist) (Granville, Ohio, USA) (Started on November 8, 2008)
• Catholicism, holiness and spirituality (Steve Bogner) (Cincinnati, Ohio, USA) (Started on August 8, 2003)
• Pro ecclesia, pro familia, pro civitate (A Catholic blog on the Church, Family and Politics) (Jay Anderson, a convert to Catholicism from a Southern Baptist) (Norwalk, Ohio, USA) (Started on March 7, 2005)
• The American Catholic (Politics and Culture from a Catholic Perspective) (A group of bloggers) (USA) (Started on October 21, 2008)
• Biblical Evidence for Catholicism with Dave Armstrong (Detroit, Michigan, USA) (Started in February, 2004)
  

Blogs by Catholic Lay Women:

• Anna Arco's Diary (A female journalist in London, UK) (Started on September 21, 2009)
• Mulier Fortis (Courageous Woman) (Mac LcLernon, a female teacher, UK) (Started on May 13, 2006)
• Conversion Diary (Jennifer Fulwiler, a convert to Catholicism from atheism in 2007) (USA) (Started August 10, 2005)
• Journey of a Catholic Nerd Writer (Emmy Cecilia, a female student) (USA) (Started on December 25, 2007)
• Blest Atheist (A Spiritual Encounter) (Elizabeth Mahlou, an atheist converted to Catholicism and now a catechist) (Started on January 3, 2009)
• Joan's Rome (Joan Lewis, EWTN Rome Bureau Chief) (Rome, Italy) (Started on September 15, 2009)
• Contemplative Haven (Prayers and reflections) (Gabrielle) (USA)
• A Catholic View (A Secular World, A Catholic Perspective) (Christine) (USA) (Started in 2008)
• Aussie Coffee Shop (On family life of the blogger) (Aussie Therese, a mother of seven children) (South Australia) (Started on August 23, 2006)
  

To look for detailed lists of Roman Catholic blogs, you may visit the following:

Catholic Blog Lists:

• Catholic Blog Directory
• Saints Blogs Parish
• British Catholic Blogs
  
• CatholicBlogs.com (Write a topic in the search space and press "Search" to find out Catholic blogs dealing with that particular topic)