I have tried it all on the internet. I learned how to build my own website, I instant messaged with ICQ, I dabbled in the chat room scene briefly, I created this blog, and among many, many other activities one can engage in on the internet, I tried out “Facebook.” Why? I really don’t know. On an invite from my sister, I think that I joined just to see what all the talk was about; then when I began, I found some old friends and relatives, and became hooked. I played a few senseless games that wasted a ton of my spare time, I answered 25 questions this, and 48 questions that, and even took that stupid Dr. Phil test.
After a few months of telling people that “Bill is… whatever,” I started to wonder if this whole facebook thing was just a total waste of my valuable free time. I have people that I don’t know from a hole in the wall asking to “be my friends,” (seriously, is there some kind of “how many friends can YOU have” contest that I am just not aware of?) I’m also learning quite a bit of sensitive information about friends and relatives that I don’t think I really need to know… or want to know for that matter. I have been “poked” thousands of times, and I’ll be darned if I even know why the heck people are poking me. I hate being poked in reality! Seriously, who likes it? I should have learned from the instant messaging, and chat room days, that these things are just fads that I have always looked back on and said, “Wow, I wish I could get that time back.”
I really think that facebook, in my opinion, is just another anti-social dent in today’s culture. People tell their deepest secrets, say nasty things about people, use profanity freely, and share personal opinions that they would never share with people face to face. Since the early 90’s we have been so into “expressing ourselves” that we forgot what it means to respect others… and yes… even respect ourselves. That virtual wall that blocks us from humanity has turned us into disrespectful “virtualites” (yeah, I think I just made that word up.) I really do believe, to some extent, that ignorance IS bliss. I don’t want to to be poked anymore, I don’t want another virtual flower in my collection, and I don’t want to have another drink passed to me.
I think that facebook had a great concept, that being, you can connect with relatives, and long lost friends. However, once you connect, how about making a phone call, meeting somewhere for lunch, or just grab their email. There is just way too many senseless games, too much poking, and too much detailed information that many, I’m VERY sure, will eventually regret sharing with friends and family at some point. The concept is lost, and people now use facebook… well… just to use it, just to waste away some spare time.
Although it may sound like it, I’m really not trying to deter people from using facebook, knock your socks off! I’m just sharing my personal experiences with it. As for me, I think that I’ll stick to my blog.
02/16/2009 [EDIT]: I just wanted to clarify that I still do use Facebook to communicate with friends and family, but just don’t partake in the trivia quizes, poking and pointless other games that get passed around.
Padawan Dad 