I happen to use Facebook as a means of communicating with those close to me and in my past. I've reconciled with old friends, met new family members
(or regained contact) who live across the globe just by having the account. This isn't to me like a kid and MySpace where it's a popularity contest to
have the most friends, comments, etc.
It's fun that you can track your attention to specific topics as I am generally seeking actual discussion from Facebook as I do from members of ATS. I
am part of a "secret group" or basically just a private one where I can freely discuss many topics similar to ATS posts with close friends and keep
prying eyes out as it's an invite only type of deal that I communicate with in a small group. It's actually quite productive and interesting as the
majority of them are skeptics - more fun for me as a believer in many things!
I can't remember the last time I looked at my profile or saw how many friends I have. I setup a few things when I first got the account, but mainly
all I do is talk to people, post interesting articles (hard to do in person over the phone) for discussion and comment, track events and I'll post a
little bit of poetry every now and again for some thought or criticism.
I don't use it as a popularity contest, I don't add people I don't know (although I'll have people from Middle / Elementary school add me, not say
anything so deleted and away they go!), and I get actual discussion, thoughts, and sharing accomplished through a digital commonplace. Nobody on my
news feed posts what they are doing at the moment, that's for Twitter. And that's what twitter was designed for and why I do not have an account.
Facebook is a digital commonplace where information, discussion, and contacts are stored for retrieval.
I have fun, I learn, I reconcile, I discuss, and I act as a human being on a large scale with many people whom I see on a regular basis in real life.
Anti-social behavior, huh?
It's all about context and how a particular person uses it. Don't bash Facebook for being Facebook. I think the advertisement schemes they use are
highly inventive, non-obtrusive, and effective. Local businesses have definitely gotten my business solely because of information I got from a
Facebook page or ad.
Oh I'll also add that I have my locals news stations added on there, for example of another use of Facebook. I can get streaming updates throughout
the day on what is actually going on or what news there is on a local scene rather than waiting for evening news which is filled with in your face
advertisement, and misinfo than just reading a particular article and also not wading through their website through all the other 'national pop' news
of Sheen, Lohan, etc.
Plus on an interesting article I can pop in, leave a comment, discuss and maybe open people's minds to a different way of thinking just because I read
an article I would have anyways.
edit on 6-4-2011 by shagula because: (no reason given)