First of all, I have been, and today in particular, am disgusted with the kinds of groups that kids make and join on Facebook. There are of course, the obscene groups that perpetuate sexism, undesirable and offensive behavior, but what I find almost more concerning is the marginalization of important issues and events. Today, over 30 college students were shot at Virginia Tech, and already they have been reduced to Facebook groups. I understand that Facebook can be viewed as a forum for discussion, but for some reason it bothers me. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I guess I just get a sense that people are using their membership in groups to create a certain image of theirself (in this case as being aware and caring). Maddison did say that everyone's self interested though, so who can I blame for trying to build an image? I just feel that it's superficial enough as to demean the seriousness of this particular situation. Also, it seems to me that if students really felt affected to this they might take the time to write about it, get together and talk about it. Instead they join a Facebook group and their conscience is clean. I don't consider that to be real self expression. Some may argue otherwise though.
Secondly, I believe that Facebook increases the possibility of gossip by unmeasurable amounts. With the options of posting pictures, relationship statuses, public wall postings, etc. everything becomes way too public. Even if you keep your own profile very private, it's hard to avoid the very public actions of others on Facebook. It presents many very passive aggressive ways to attack people, such as unkind wall posts, comments on pictures, and various other things. If you are unconvinced, ask any Facebook user how many times Facebook has "ruined their life" or how many times they have wanted to "kill Facebook" and they will most likely answer "at least once." And yet we all still use it?
The thing is, internet is used just like everything else in the U.S., in excess. There are too many photos, so they lose their individual value and meaning There is too much information, so you lose your privacy. It is too simplified, your entire self is reduced to "interests, activities, favorite music, status, blablabla." Not that Facebook is meant to be entirely representative, it certainly isn't. The important factor that makes Facebook a negative, insincere thing is the investment that people put into it. However, it is unlikely it is going anywhere, we can't kick our obsession with celebrities and fastfood, why should we get rid of this?
In the end, Facebook is a good idea, good investment (for the creators) and a good system of communication that fits neatly into the information techonology of the day. However, it is also frustrating in its downfalls, that rely heavily on the people that use it (who also feed into the advancement of it). I will probably keep Facebook around for a while, but not for more than a year or two. It's stupid.
Posted by lib at April 17, 2007 01:31 AM