“Everyone must leave something behind when he dies . . . Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die . . . It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that’s like you after you take your hands away.”
― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
Who doesn’t want to be remembered when they have passed? Who doesn’t want to leave a legacy? I wrote about that a few years ago. But what about leaving a digital legacy?
I read this article: How to post to Facebook, Twitter after you die at CNN the other day and I’m still wondering what to make of it. Allow me to quote from the article:
DeadSocial (the name of the service provider) covers all the post-death social media options, scheduling public Facebook posts, tweets and even LinkedIn posts to go out after someone has died. The free service will publish the text, video or audio messages directly from that person’s social media accounts, or it can send a series of scheduled messages in the future, say on an anniversary or a loved one’s birthday. ~ CNN
Why would anyone want to do that I wonder.
I know of Facebook profiles being left on and I see friends and family continue to leave messages quite a few years after the person’s passing. I also know of Facebook pages that are started by loved ones to invite family and friends to leave messages of condolence, etc. However, I’m not quite sure how I would react if I were to receive a message from a dead person wishing me for my birthday! 😉
I don’t want to be judgmental about this. It is a personal choice. However, for me, it would be way over the top. I’d prefer that people remember me for the way I touched their lives, rather than intrude on them with my messages from down under.
This is one service I will not be trying out. When I go out of town on my own, I leave a list of my passwords with my husband to enable him to delete my social media accounts should anything happen to me! Morbid, you think? I’m thinking, practical.
Will you be signing up with DeadSocial?
Related articles
- Why death is not the end of your social media life (guardian.co.uk)
- You’ll tweet when you’re dead: LivesOn says digital ‘twin’ can mimic your online persona (theverge.com)
- Facebook after death: Should family get deceased’s social media passwords? (csmonitor.com)
Maybe the movie P.S.I Love You, inspired them to do so. That was sweet too. But, that makes letting go a lot more difficult. It is way too spooky. I would not want that. The people around me have had me too much up close in real life…why would they want me to linger around after I am gone?
No, I’d not sign up for such things! It would be so weird!!
A few days ago, husband’s friend on FB posted pics of his dead son and not one but a whole album which had his close-ups and of the procession to the cremation ground. Seeing such pics was so scary and uncomfortable, I wonder how freaky it would be to receive a message from a dead man!
Shilpa Garg recently posted..The New Oil in Our Kitchen
This service sounds really creepy. Well, there are lots of nuts in the world, no wonder such services are provided.
I for one want to leave everyone in peace after I have moved on from this world.
Lazy Pineapple recently posted..I was interviewed by “The Pioneer”
This reminds me of a quote……”If you want to be remembered after you are gone, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.’ I am guessing a writer was behind the thought.
As you say, its best to be remembered by the way we touch each others lives.
No “Dead Social” for me!!! And, like you, I would want Danny to take everything down from my social pages. I’ll leave my books as my legacy . . .
Blessings, Corinne!
Martha Orlando recently posted..All in God’s Time
Not at all Corinne!
I too have read a similar article somewhere, though it didn’t talk of this service but a similar kind that I don’t even remember, because it didn’t click with me.
I for one, like you, can never imagine being wished or sending such wishes once I am gone and would prefer being remembered till my last day- for who and as I was. And who knows what kind of messages such services send, as I’m sure they can’t replace you and would just be sending standard auto ones.
I think you are being very practical about leaving your passwords with your hubby, and I too am glad that my hubby already knows all my passwords, so there’s no problem in case I am no more 🙂
Thanks for sharing and making us think about this one. 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted..Understanding Women in Today’s World
I never thought that far but I would prefer to reach the people I know while being Alive but not after death..
Lovely post…
It is better if people dont remember me often and feel sad about my absence. I would’nt want to remind someone that I am dead. I would’nt go for this service.
Avada Kedavra recently posted..Top ten favourite characters
Hi Corinne
Now that is darn right creepy! Besides if you thought someone was dead and then you got a happy birthday message from them, you might be thinking you lost your mind, either now or before when you thought they were gone. Just like when we think, is that movie star gone or they still with us, can’t remember for sure. Another good reason to think we are a bit insane and maybe loosing our mind.
I feel the same way about that as I do about putting flowers on graves…did you give flowers to them when they were alive so they could really enjoy them? Remember me when I am alive, interact with me when I am still here. If I write something worth reading or draw something worth enjoying, keep it and remember me this way. Laugh and eat dark chocolate on my day of departure!
Got to give them credit for an idea, even if it is a bad one!
Mary
Mary Stephenson recently posted..Do You Ever Wonder?
Other than my kids, who I hope will remember me fondly, I don’t really care if anyone else does. I don’t plan to leave much behind. In fact, I already got rid of all my journals!
Galen Pearl recently posted..Step Away from the Thought
There’s been a virtual “Wall” like the one found in Washington DC online for years. I think whatever helps a family deal with their lose is healthy. I’d have no issues with it. 🙂
Terrye recently posted..Crossroads And Crackpots
I had read about this sometime ago on the internet, and had similar thoughts as yours. These days no one wants to die, hence such ideas are born where people have the feeling of being alive despite being no longer there. It is weird and creepy for the receiver and I am sure it must be very hurtful to some very close loved ones who must be trying hard to come to terms with that person’s death. Such things would constantly remind them of that person and hence not let that person move on.
I would never want to opt for such services and yes I have all my passwords listed out safely to be handed over if incase anything happens to me anytime 🙂
Privy Trifles recently posted..Treasured Ardor – Chapter 20
dont think i will be joining this.. but i can see the appeal for some people.
What you said about the passwords is thought provoking… i have never considered it. Keeping the passwords with someone else in the event I kick the bucket.
That sounds so creepy! How would anyone know what to post and what would one post of someone who is dead?! How would the friends and relatives of that person feel on receiving these messages..would they even answer them?! This confirms my views that there are so many idiots in this world that you can literally market anything, given the right packaging!!
Roshni recently posted..Self esteem in children
No way, wouldn’t even think twice about it. I think social media isoverdoing it this time. One’s gotta recognize when it is the end. But yes, have been wondering about leaving a legacy too. Hopefully, my efforts to everyday in faith and love would count with my family and friends.
Anne recently posted..Snow Day
It is spooky, this service. No, I don’t think it is a good idea to do so. But sharing passwords or leaving them in a safe place is a good idea.
Rachna recently posted..My blogging journey: Phase I from blogger subdomain to custom domain!
I had never heard of it.. it doesn’t sound healthy, to be honest. Letting go is difficult as it is.. some never do. I can’t see this as being mentally good.
Brenda recently posted..Writer’s Job Description