Trendy sayings from marathon bombings now exlusively applying to Boston sports

[ItStaysYang]

First of all, I hate when people make trends out of tragedy. Mostly because I hate when people use anything they can to draw attention to themselves.

Well, that notion has been taken to a new level. I have seen a lot of social media posts along the lines of:

"Go Bruins! #BostonStrong" .. and many similar posts for the Red Sox and Celtics.

On a somewhat related note - I hate when people use hash tags on Facebook. Grow up.

Moving on...

I would like to say that I am from Boston and obviously an avid fan of the Celtics. The marathon bombings were very tragic and I have utmost respect for the victims and their families.

That said, I cannot stand these trendy sayings and I cannot fathom why people would use them exclusively as ways to cheer for sports teams - except for a way to draw attention to themselves, as stated above.

#BostonStrong ... #PrayForBoston ... etc. are sensible sayings when used explicitly to reference and remember those affected in the wake of the bombings. But just assuming your love for Boston sports teams somehow implicitly relays your sympathy to the marathon victims is both annoying and despicable.

People will do anything for attention these days...

[CelticG1]

Pretty much anything you do on social media is for attention.

None of that stuff really bothers me. It doesn't bother me anymore than the pointless other posts other people put up or give me a heads up on what they are doing.

The whole idea that people really care what you are saying or doing is pretty narcissitic at least most of the time. But I may dabble in it from time to time as well so I can't complain.

I can't complain when I have 3000 posts on this site when I know no one really cares what I think haha

[lightspeed5]

coping.

[CelticsFan9]

You seem to get bothered by pretty meaningless stuff.

[D.o.s.]

You seem to get bothered by pretty meaningless stuff.

... says the dude who is so invested in a sports team that you're driven to post about them on the internet.

I sympathize with the OP, but I also look at the idea behind it--the gesture of support from people who may have no ties to Boston at all, as well as a rallying point for our greater community--that is to say, around 'our' sports teams.

[PierceMVP08]

You seem to get bothered by pretty meaningless stuff.

Agreed.  I do not see what is bothersome about it.  Boston is a HUGE sports city.  In fact sports is probably the number one identifier of the city. The national anthem at the B's game and the ceremony at Fenway were huge for the city.  I don't think looking to the Celts, Bruins, or Sox as a means of lifting spirits or boosting civic pride is a stretch. 

If anything the hashtags #BostonStrong, #OneBoston, etc. are unifiers and show the poster is standing in solidarity with the rest of the city.  You on the other hand, are busy spouting what YOU want other people to do.  Sounds like someone is being annoying and egotistical here, but it's not the posters.

[Donoghus]

I have no qualms about the term #BostonStrong.

I think its great that a term like this has come out of a tragedy.  To me, it respresents the resilence & determination of the citizens of the Boston area.  It conveys the strength and stubborness of the community.  The idea of "Don't screw with us because we'll get you". It's a label for the people and their actions.  It represents toughness.

As someone who grew up in the area and set up roots for a number of years, I'm proud of the term.  I've used it as a hashtag in a number of my tweets over the past week.

If this term is spread to the sports teams (as it has), I don't have problems with it.  There's a meaning there and its been a rallying cry.   Sports are so interwined with the community in Boston, it makes perfect sense.

Obviously there are some people who feel that sports are a little too important.  If they're using something like "Go Celtics, #prayforBoston", I'd roll my eyes a bit but there are people like that.

#BostonStrong is awesome, IMO.

[dark_lord]

who cares?!  you dont know a person's motive for saying it.  you are assuming its for attention, but it could be for coping reasons, pride, brotherhood/community, etc. 

i have no problem with people using the term.  if anything, it generates a prideful and respectful response from me.

[nostar]

Yeah I'm not sure what your problem with this is. Those sayings are really just to make people feel better and to remember.

[ItStaysYang]

Interesting takes, but still. How annoying. For example, I have complete and utter disdain for baseball. So when someone posts "GOOOOO SOX I LOVE BOSTON #BostonStrong", my connotation of BostonStrong becomes negative because of the context which it is used in. Now that it does not refer to the bombings exclusively, it becomes merely an excuse to post another status. Ohh social media....

[indeedproceed]

Interesting takes, but still. How annoying. For example, I have complete and utter disdain for baseball. So when someone posts "GOOOOO SOX I LOVE BOSTON #BostonStrong", my connotation of BostonStrong becomes negative because of the context which it is used in. Now that it does not refer to the bombings exclusively, it becomes merely an excuse to post another status. Ohh social media....

So you hate hashtags, baseball, and self-promotion, so if someone uses a status with one of those things, and includes a nod to the Marathon Bombing and solidarity afterwards, that annoys you?

[ItStaysYang]

Interesting takes, but still. How annoying. For example, I have complete and utter disdain for baseball. So when someone posts "GOOOOO SOX I LOVE BOSTON #BostonStrong", my connotation of BostonStrong becomes negative because of the context which it is used in. Now that it does not refer to the bombings exclusively, it becomes merely an excuse to post another status. Ohh social media....

So you hate hashtags, baseball, and self-promotion, so if someone uses a status with one of those things, and includes a nod to the Marathon Bombing and solidarity afterwards, that annoys you?

I don't hate hashtags. They have a purpose on twitter and instagram. I hate when people use hashtags on Facebook. Like really?

I don't hate self-promotion or "attention whoring" as I term it. It's acceptable to a degree, but I think it's despicable in the face of a tragic event. Promoting yourself is acceptable to a degree, especially on social media where that is kind of the "point"

[indeedproceed]

Interesting takes, but still. How annoying. For example, I have complete and utter disdain for baseball. So when someone posts "GOOOOO SOX I LOVE BOSTON #BostonStrong", my connotation of BostonStrong becomes negative because of the context which it is used in. Now that it does not refer to the bombings exclusively, it becomes merely an excuse to post another status. Ohh social media....

So you hate hashtags, baseball, and self-promotion, so if someone uses a status with one of those things, and includes a nod to the Marathon Bombing and solidarity afterwards, that annoys you?

I don't hate hashtags. They have a purpose on twitter and instagram. I hate when people use hashtags on Facebook. Like really?

I don't hate self-promotion or "attention whoring" as I term it. It's acceptable to a degree, but I think it's despicable in the face of a tragic event. Promoting yourself is acceptable to a degree, especially on social media where that is kind of the "point"

It seems like a petty grievance to me at least, people are trying to support their fellow citizens. Granted, they're doing so in the least inconvenient manner possible, and, like you say, are improperly using hashtags and likely furthering the merry path to hades we're on where language no longer has any relevant rules or guidelines, and also, like you say, some of them are probably 'just doin it for the likez', but at the end of all the bullcrap, they're also reaching out people showing that they support them in, if nothing else, spirit at least.

That seems like a noble enough sentiment alone to forgive 'tweet-speak' and the ones who don't really mean it.

But this is 'Murica. You of course have the option to be annoyed by whatever ya choose.

[D.o.s.]

Interesting takes, but still. How annoying. For example, I have complete and utter disdain for baseball. So when someone posts "GOOOOO SOX I LOVE BOSTON #BostonStrong", my connotation of BostonStrong becomes negative because of the context which it is used in. Now that it does not refer to the bombings exclusively, it becomes merely an excuse to post another status. Ohh social media....

So you hate hashtags, baseball, and self-promotion, so if someone uses a status with one of those things, and includes a nod to the Marathon Bombing and solidarity afterwards, that annoys you?

I don't hate hashtags. They have a purpose on twitter and instagram. I hate when people use hashtags on Facebook. Like really?

I don't hate self-promotion or "attention whoring" as I term it. It's acceptable to a degree, but I think it's despicable in the face of a tragic event. Promoting yourself is acceptable to a degree, especially on social media where that is kind of the "point"

It seems awfully presumptuous of you to assume that you can read into the thought process of someone else like that.