Fredericton — A Facebook status concocted by a local woman has been shared more than 300 times, which means it must be true, according to those who shared it. The status, which Martha Norris posted at 2:30 a.m. after she had a few drinks to boost her writing ability, condemned her friend Paula MacDonald for destroying a dress MacDonald had borrowed days earlier.
“My former friend Paula borrowed my old wedding dress, and she spilled WINE on it. WINE!!!” began the factual exegesis. “Not only that, but she gave it back to me and pretended that NOTHING HAPPENED! This is a person I have knew for years, so when she asked to use my dress for her wedding, I decided to be generous. Well, never again!! This woman CANNOT BE TRUSTED!! Paula, you better [expletive] buy me a new [expletive] dress or else pay me the money for it!! Like and Share if you think Paula MacDonald should be punished and is a BAD PERSON!!”
Norris told The Manatee that she posted the status late at night because she knew Paula would be asleep, so the status would be shared and commented on dozens of times before her former friend had a chance to defend herself with the incorrect side of the story.
“When this happened to me, I went to the one place that I knew the story would not be changed or twisted against me — Facebook,” said the victim. “At first when I posted it I wasn’t sure because I was also drinking wine around the wedding dress, but the story got so many likes and shares and comments, I knew in my heart it had to be Paula’s fault. She really is a horrible person and should get what’s coming to her. Karma’s a bitch!”
Those who shared the status, whether they knew the involved parties or not, were eager to speak with Manatee reporters about its validity. “It’s a known fact in social media circles that a status or post becomes progressively more true each time it’s shared,” said Brianne McCoy, the 156th person to share the status. “The more widely circulated, the more grounded in reality. And here’s a pro tip: if the argument is emotional and doesn’t rely too much on correct grammar or sound logic, more people will believe it. It just shows that the sentiment behind the status must be accurate.
“It’s like a game of telephone, but in reverse; as the story is shared and interpreted, the culpability of anyone implicated becomes certain. This one seems airtight.”
The story has been picked up by local news outlets, who have all interviewed Norris only, because she was the one to share the status.
“Martha is brave, so very brave to share her story publicly,” said reporter Kendra Allen of The Daily Gleaner. “Imagine if it had only gotten 10 likes, and no one shared it? That would be humiliating for her. So we think it’s important that Frederictonians take the time to share statuses that are this extreme and one-sided — how else will word get out?”
No reporters interviewed MacDonald, but anyone interested can simply look her up on Facebook. “Just comment on her posts, or privately message your contempt and scorn for her,” said Allen. “After all, she for sure, definitely ruined the wedding dress of someone who trusted her.”