When did you join Facebook? Why did you join Facebook? And
finally, are you still ON Facebook?
Earlier this summer, my son's social commentary Some People video series mocked Facebook for many reasons. Membership on that site is dying out, he reports. The youth of today bailed on it ages ago, he says. Although his observations and tone seemed a bit hostile, his arguments rang true.
I remember joining Facebook in 2008. A friend had posted photos of me from a New Years Eve party on her page. To view them, I had to join. Not long after that initial viewing had taken place, I discovered we had a mutual friend and connected with her. We'd message each other. How FUN, I thought. She had moved to the Grand Rapids area a while ago and we had lost touch. At that time, Facebook reminded me of the 1970's Wella Balsam commercial as it guided me to another friend and another friend and so on and so on and so on.
So I set up my Home Page and began scanning and uploading old photos, finding long-lost high school and college friends and discovering a fun new way to stay in touch with local friends who I didn't see as often as I'd like. Suddenly, I had access to photos I might otherwise never see. I could post videos of show clips I was especially proud of to share with "the on-line world." My friends and I could message each other conversationally. Typing my thoughts and having a chance to edit as I went appealed to the writer in me who likes to get the wording right. (Much easier to edit my thoughts by typing than speaking!) Facebook offered a novel way to reconnect with people lost to time and distance. And that's why I joined ... to stay connected. That was its initial purpose after all ... to provide a "Social Connection."
In my naivete, I still believe that Facebook originated to bridge distance and enhance interpersonal relationships. I believe it still can when used appropriately with a blend of other relational communication mechanisms. After all, it is nice to see a glimpse into the lives of friends and family members in other places. Though at times when I browse sites of photo albums of my Friends, I confess that I feel a bit like a voyeur and a stalker ...
Status Update Jenni Carmichael Clark:
Doing well but would like to catch up. What's new? Let's get together. Bring a picture or two of your kids or your cats or your landscaping or whatever is going on and exciting in your life. Let's Stay Connected with FaceTime instead of Facebook.
Earlier this summer, my son's social commentary Some People video series mocked Facebook for many reasons. Membership on that site is dying out, he reports. The youth of today bailed on it ages ago, he says. Although his observations and tone seemed a bit hostile, his arguments rang true.
I remember joining Facebook in 2008. A friend had posted photos of me from a New Years Eve party on her page. To view them, I had to join. Not long after that initial viewing had taken place, I discovered we had a mutual friend and connected with her. We'd message each other. How FUN, I thought. She had moved to the Grand Rapids area a while ago and we had lost touch. At that time, Facebook reminded me of the 1970's Wella Balsam commercial as it guided me to another friend and another friend and so on and so on and so on.
So I set up my Home Page and began scanning and uploading old photos, finding long-lost high school and college friends and discovering a fun new way to stay in touch with local friends who I didn't see as often as I'd like. Suddenly, I had access to photos I might otherwise never see. I could post videos of show clips I was especially proud of to share with "the on-line world." My friends and I could message each other conversationally. Typing my thoughts and having a chance to edit as I went appealed to the writer in me who likes to get the wording right. (Much easier to edit my thoughts by typing than speaking!) Facebook offered a novel way to reconnect with people lost to time and distance. And that's why I joined ... to stay connected. That was its initial purpose after all ... to provide a "Social Connection."
In the olden days -- back when Facebook was
black & white like Pleasantville -- I visited and posted with
abandon. The site provided an easy way to make quick plans and invite people to
events ... and to receive invites from the moms from my kids' schools. I
planned my husband's 50th birthday party using Facebook. Sending out
virtual friend requests with on-line notifications was easier (and
less costly) than making tons of phone calls or using snail mail. It offered a
simple way to invite acquaintances unknown to me personally who live out
of the area in various places within the Metro Detroit community.
With Facebook I'd receive updates about Birthdays.
Oh, I'm organized and I have a Franklin
planner page dedicated to all my family and friends' birthdays and
anniversaries ... and kids' birthdays too. (My organizational skills are
frightening when it comes to remembering dates.) But reminders are helpful..
And receiving thoughtful little posts via Facebook on birthdays,
special days and at important times has meaning. It's nice ...
BUT ...
Things have changed on Facebook. (Obviously the youth
of today knew this first.) I noticed it during the election. I note it daily as
the opinions posted by a "Friend" lead to unkind remarks and
"Unfriending." I notice it evolved from the initial social link I
enjoyed to a place to argue and defend and divide. I notice that some of the
posts seem rather ridiculous. That I just don't care to read every occurrence
and wonder why anyone thinks that providing every single minute detail of daily
life is interesting to anyone but themselves. Is it just me that notices
the banality of this site? I'm over the diatribes and campaigns, too. The
egocentric nature of this "communication tool" has evolved into a
weapon of mass destruction. Anonymity of the typed word to an invisible
audience can be empowering to people who might be too intimidated or passive
aggressive to share their ideas in a face-to-face scenario.
I find it interesting that Facebook -- and other social
networking sites -- use blue lettering for their logo and
images. As a color, blue reflects sincerity. It is reserved, calming and quiet.
It doesn't like to make a fuss or call attention to itself. Through color
psychology research, I discovered that Blue is a color that has
always sought peace and tranquility above all else. A color
that presumably reduces stress, creating a sense of calmness, relaxation
and order. Blue is considered the helper ... a giver not a taker ... building
strong trusting relationships.
How intriguing that color choice, for something that has
evolved into a lot of posturing and self-aggrandizing. I see
more harmful self-promotion then real relationships.
I don't visit the site much but Yes, I'm still on it. Why?
Mostly because of how I choose to use it, which is the way I believe it was
originally designed. I enjoy messages and chats with friends. I share photos
and enjoy those shared by people I care for. But then I log out and choose to
connect physically or verbally.
I use Facebook on my terms ... because people
I care about are out there. I stay out of the hot and heavy debates and I won't
argue with a cursor flashing before my eyes as it's really easy to type mean
stuff. You may call me naive, but I believe and choose to honor the purity
of Facebook's original intent. So there are people out there who
hi-jacked it. Doesn't mean I have to play by their rules when I use
it.
In my naivete, I still believe that Facebook originated to bridge distance and enhance interpersonal relationships. I believe it still can when used appropriately with a blend of other relational communication mechanisms. After all, it is nice to see a glimpse into the lives of friends and family members in other places. Though at times when I browse sites of photo albums of my Friends, I confess that I feel a bit like a voyeur and a stalker ...
Status Update Jenni Carmichael Clark:
Doing well but would like to catch up. What's new? Let's get together. Bring a picture or two of your kids or your cats or your landscaping or whatever is going on and exciting in your life. Let's Stay Connected with FaceTime instead of Facebook.
-- Jenni
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