It is said that the Devil makes work for idle hands. It makes sense, then, that he must be terribly proud of social media. Figs In Wigs’ latest production Show Off is on that very topic and, having many long hours doing vital research on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc., they’re happy to share their findings or, as the Devil would call them, the 7 Deadly Sins.
Those seeking further guidance about the treacherous world of online networking are strongly encouraged to check out Show Off
1. Lists
It seems the most popular posting on social media are links to catchily titled articles of lists about issues of no importance that seem to have been created entirely to aid procrastination. They usually appear as a set of neatly numbered bullet points in an attempt to make them quicker to digest for humankind’s increasingly limited attention spans.*
* If you don’t understand irony please click here
2. Shameless self-promotion
This is most recognisable on Facebook when your news feed becomes a plethora of event invites to theatre shows, club nights and birthday drinks most of which are not even in the city/country you live in. This works to emphasis the ‘media’ rather than the ‘social’ aspect of the online networking site as you can’t see the wood through the trees that have been chopped down to make way for more advertising. You begin to wonder if your friends have all been replaced by robots who just want you to come to their party and seem to lack any desire for human contact or meaningful connection.
The Figs In Wigs will be at the Soho Theatre between 1-4 May.
3. Being too human and meaningful
Gushy status updates that thank the world and its wife/husband/civil partner for everything they’ve done ever. If you’re on holiday feeling overwhelmed with joy and gratitude watching the sunset surrounded by family and friends whilst getting engaged and giving birth, just have some perspective and remember there are wars going on.
4. Politics and religion
Keyboard warriors love nothing better than to unpack the minutiae of every political, religious, social, economic and ideological theory in the most public forum possible. They are usually egged on by two or three onlookers dutifully clicking ‘like’ or favouriting every comment. But these heated arguments usually end in emoji tears and always get you nowhere. It’s also rather hilarious when people try to sum up extremely complex issues in 140 characters or less. If in doubt the best comeback to any online debate is the smiling poo emoji.
The Figs In Wigs will be at the Soho Theatre between 1-4 May.
5. Emoji overload
If you require more than 10 emoji to illustrate a point it’s probably not worth illustrating. Maybe spend your time illustrating some new emoji as even the new ones are still missing some crucial items. If you need some inspiration, a fig in the fruit section and some wigs in the costume section wouldn’t go amiss.
6. Perpetuating the myth that you have never done any of the above
The sad but beautiful truth in this whole social media affair is that everyone can be a bit of a twat online. It’s easy to place blame on annoying internet personas but maybe it’s worth remembering that Facebook and Twitter have only been around for a decade or so. Our internet selves are really only 11 or 12 years old. In other words we’re approaching puberty. It’s a difficult time, we’re young, we think we know everything but actually we’re still finding ourselves. So if people are committing the above sins on social media have some forgiveness and show some mercy. Apart from…
7. Inviting people to play Candy Crush Saga
Sorry, this one is a Mortal Sin. You’re going straight to hell – the deep web. And guess what, you can’t buy guns with Candy Crush points.
If the above hasn’t put you off social networking, more information on the Figs in Wigs can be found on their website, Facebook or Twitter.
This weekend’s shows are only part of the Figs in Wigs’ forthcoming UK Tour . More details can be found on Facebook.
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