When you see someone's update/message on your news page, just X it out. Then it will ask you if you want to "hide ___" from the news feed. You click yes. Then you can maintain contact with people without knowing every meaningless detail of their boring life.
I am on facebook also, but never do any of that updating. I guess I'm in the minority. I could care less what people are doing. I don't want to hear about in person, yet alone read about it. People need to feel important and cool, that's why they do it. Needy people fulfilling needs on Maslow's hierarchy. That's all it is.
"I took a **** today with a seemingly endless amount of wipes"
"The chicken we had last night was a little dry".
