What does “I’m X weeks and craving...” mean in status updates?
There’s nothing more annoying on Facebook than getting multiple Farmville requests...and friends posting cryptic messages.
My attention was particularly piqued when several of my female friends began posting status updates such as “I’m 10 weeks and craving smarties.” Were they all having pregnant woman cravings at once?
So, I put my detective’s hat on and dug around for the meaning behind these confusing (and sometimes alarming) status updates.
Posts such as “Today can’t get any worse” or “So happy with this past week’s events” prompt a plethora of follow-up comments to inquire for more info. With posts like that, they should just start writing promo scripts for the six o’clock news. "Coming up, why this woman is losing her home..."
As it turns out, these posts with pregnant-esque cravings, such as “I’m 10 weeks and craving meatballs,” have noting to do with my Facebook friends actually being pregnant.
Instead, it’s another one of those cryptic breast cancer awareness campaigns.
The current campaign employs a complex formula that includes the birth month and birth date of the poster. The formula is posted here, if you wish to follow along.
It’s not the first time cryptic Facebook status updates coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is in October.
In previous years, women were posting status updates saying ‘where they like it’ (where they like their purse), or they would post a colour (which would be the colour of their bra).
The aim with these campaigns is that curiosity builds – and then the secret/cause is finally revealed.
Do you think the latest Facebook campaign is effective? Or is it all just getting silly now?
- Maurice Cacho, MSN Tech & Gadgets
Comments
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Posted by: TJK | Sep 5, 2011 1:41:48 PM
I think it's fucking annoying
Posted by: keverly | Sep 6, 2011 12:28:43 AM
It is only annoying to men, especially if they think they got someone pregnant
Posted by: thatguy | Sep 6, 2011 11:01:28 AM
no its not only annoying to men its annoying over all... and what makes it annoy is how stupid it is... just like the last "campaign" if thats what they wanna call it. "hey i love to get banged on the roof of my car... by the way did you know its breast cancer month??" how does this make sense ?... THIS is a good awareness campaign ? in all honesty instead of being sympathetic and really putting good thought into supporting the fight against breast cancer, i get pissed off with how stupid these make shift campaigns are. my aunty is a survivor and not once have i seen her make a stupid post such as one of those!
TL-DR: its completely stupid
Posted by: meg | Sep 6, 2011 1:30:31 PM
Women(?) girls(?) have become their own worst enemies.What do they think they're promoting?Certainly not empathy with cancer patients/survivors/victims ? Take a minute and think before you expose your crude mindset.....................
Posted by: Esther | Sep 7, 2011 9:48:01 AM
This is so stupid. Why do they keep it a secret from men? Men get breast cancer too.
Sexism is not a good way to spread awareness. Also, why are they even trying to spread awareness? Everyone's already /aware/ of breast cancer. If they want to do something, donate some money.
Posted by: misja | Sep 8, 2011 4:45:40 AM
I think it's annoying, like last year. Besides why do they exclude males, like males can't get breastcancer......
Posted by: Lisa | Sep 8, 2011 11:07:44 AM
Pretty much - it's annoying. I actually thought friends of mine were pregnant and was concerned because they had told me they had taken steps NOT to get pregnant after their x child. It creates a secret group - a clique - that horribly, bullying "You are not a part of us" type group that excludes so many people and actually is starting to turn people off of the cause.
This month is childhood cancer month. It is also spinal cord injury month. Who cares that I was born in December (18 weeks) and was born on the 12th (bubblegum) or whatever other silly game we can come up with to say "this is a killer of women?" I get it - it is. But I also care that friends of mine are fighting childhood cancer with their children and have spinal cord injuries. So today my status is straight forward. I am wearing orange in support of my friend's child who is fighting childhood leukemia. So is my son and I think my husband is as well.
If you are supporting something say it loud, say it proud, say it straight out - or don't say it at all.
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Posted by: Kilyra | Sep 13, 2011 3:31:53 PM
Silly? Silly doesn't cover it, these "awareness campaigns" are downright insulting. I mean first off, how are you raising awareness when something is shrouded in secrecy? And secondly, raise awareness for breast cancer? Seriously? Because anyone with the access to the technology that lands them on Facebook could possibly be unaware of breast cancer. Right.
If this were actaully useful in any way - the end result being money raised somehow for finding cancer cures, or even be a tribute to someone you've lost to it - I'd be on board. However, this is just a way for people to get attention and stir up others but turn around and say it's for a good cause. Don't call me silly - it's for a good cause! Yeah. Keep on fighting the good fight then.
Posted by: Steven | Sep 15, 2011 1:45:40 PM
Women are stupid. Seriously this gets even more annoying every year. I agree with everyone on here who states..JUST MAKE IT OBVIOUS YOU SUPPORT THE CAUSE. "Lets stir up the men" is what one website says. It stirs me up cause of retarded these women are.
Posted by: Steven | Sep 15, 2011 1:45:40 PM
Women are stupid. Seriously this gets even more annoying every year. I agree with everyone on here who states..JUST MAKE IT OBVIOUS YOU SUPPORT THE CAUSE. "Lets stir up the men" is what one website says. It stirs me up cause of retarded these women are.
Posted by: bladder cancer causes | Jan 13, 2012 5:22:51 AM
We should all be cautious of acquiring breast cancer. According to studies, both males and females are prone to this illness.