I read an interesting article about Facebook today. The author compares the rise of people having Facebook pages to the rise of people carrying mobile phones. First, it’s an affectation. Then, it moves to neutral. Finally, it’s an affectation not to have one.
I’m not sure Facebook is quite there yet—I still know a great many well-adjusted people who aren’t there—but I’ll say one thing for it. It’s been far better at facilitating the kinds of connections in which I’m interested than has MySpace. I’ve collected the usual suspects, but I’ve also had a blast rounding up neighborhood kids from my childhood and grade-school classmates.
(I’ve also been reminded a time or two that few people remember their childhoods as well as I do mine.)
To me, the whole thing remains fun while feeling much more adult than MySpace. It’s got its goofy aspects, but you can ignore them without damaging the larger experience. If you’re not there yet, give it a try.
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I feel like a meanie because I rarely participate in the “someone chucked a piece of flair” at you stuff. I am really just interested in seeing where you are, what you are doing and that I can contact you if I don’t have an email or phone for you.
‘seester: I play a little more than that–wall comments, groups, and what-not–but I don’t do the strictly frivolous stuff either. I just mass-ignored over 100 of them.
I think Facebook has been much better for finding “lost” friends as well. I, too, am one of those people that seems to remember details about childhood (or heck last week’s lunch get together) than most. I correlate it to the fact that I’m a visual learner. I noted in high school and college that I learn much better by seeing whatever it is I’m supposed to be learning done through example than trying to read up on it an do it myself the first time. I think it’s an observational thing that causes both keeping details and learning.
Scott – what it means is that nobody ever wants to be in an argument with you or Bo because you can correctly dredge up EXACTLY what was said in a previous conversation! 😉
It’s so weird. I’ve been wondering “where” all of my friends have been since only one of them has a blog. Now I’ve found them all on Facebook. I had no idea what I was missing. That article on slate was an interesting explanation for what was going on while I was oblivious. I must have written dozens of emails over the years to my friends asking if they have a blog, if they have anywhere online they leave updates and photos, with no response. I have really been craving these connections with my friends. And it’s pretty neat that I joined on the 9th, right after that big milestone mentioned in the article.