Facebook Friend Guilt
Dec 24, 2008 Uncategorized
I feel guilty for ignoring friend requests on Facebook.
It seems like the entire generation x has just found facebook and that they are making up for lost time by friending everyone that they ever met. It seems a mad race to send and receive these requests.
I feel quite a bit of guilt at my lack of interest in these people. This lack of interest started, in many cases, in 5th grade. You would think that all these years would soften me – make me more interested in superficial friendships that I don’t invest in.
The truth is, the old addage that quantity is not quality is as true on Facebook as it is anywhere. I’d rather see a news feed of items about people that I really know. I’d rather see pictures of people I really care about. See videos from people that I share something in common with.
I know by ignoring requests I close down new opportunities. I know it’s snobbish. I feel guilty for it. But I think it’s a guilt I can live with.
December 26th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I have not tried Facebook … yet ….
What do you feel you get out of being on Facebook?
I mean that seriously, as someone who is wondering if I *should* start an account, or…. not….
December 26th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Why sign up for Facebook? (as opposed to Twitter) Hmmm.
Facebook is a social thing, kinda like what you do on twitter, but the interactions tend to be with people that you know in person (as opposed to people that you know virtually thru the Web), even though you could certainly be more anonymous.
I tend to connect with old friends and family that now live far away or people that I don’t see as much in person. It’s a great way to share photos of your vacations, make plans to connect, and share videos, links, pictures, and thoughts with your friends.
Facebook has a status line that operates like twitter, but it isn’t used conversationally.
There is an inbox for private, person-to-person communication and a “wall” for public person to person conversation. There is also a chat feature for real time person-to-person communication.
There are also groups (like a fan club), events, and networks to join.
Additionally, there are additional applications that can extend Facebook to do all kinds of other things – such as a reading application that allows you you line up books to read, write and share reviews, and find new books.
One last thing – privacy. You can control who can see just about every aspect of your profile. I choose to make only my name known to anonymous people. You have to “friend” me to see my full profile.
I am sure that Facebook can be many things to many people, but for me it’s very personal and real. Give it a try, you can always ditch the profile.
December 26th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
very cool
Thank you!
It does seem that more and more people mention having “the Facebook” and while I’m not particularly one to tend to follow the crowd, it does make me wonder what is going on there.
Will explore!
December 30th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Have fun! See if you can get Sharkey out there?
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:49 am
I am one of the Luddites avoiding the FaceBook.
The older I get, the less I want the world to know about me.
Funny that.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:08 am
Dear Sharkey – …but you have a blog!