FaceBooK: MySpace or YourS?
One of the attractions of Facebook is that you can find out so much about someone before you even date them….
Of course, such tactics may shock traditionalists, but in 21st-Century Britain the forging of personal relationships – be they romantic or just as friends – now has far less to do with locking eyes across a smoked-filled room than logging on to a PC.
Are you on Facebook? And is it ruining your life?
Users spend an average of 5.3 hours each month on the sites and return to them an average 23 times.
Of course, those are just averages and the truth of the matter is that a whole generation of Facebook addicts is gradually emerging.For the uninitiated, the site works like this – users create an online profile including information about their marital status, education and work history, as well as photos.
They then build up a network of friends by searching lists of online members and making contact with people they know.
One’s success on these sites is generally measured by the number of “friends” you accrue.
But in reality these push-button friendships are largely valueless and serve simply to paper over the intrinsic loneliness of people fast retreating from their communities to the safety of a computer screen.
“These are not real social networks”……….
“They mimic the playground insecurities of primary school kids, piling up best friends to find their social niche.But the problem is that communication through keyboard alone is limiting: humans rely on facial expression, tone and touch to convey deeper emotions.
As a result, these online friendships rarely progress beyond the banal.
Hmmmmmm. How do you feel bout the idea of a thriving social life on your..um… computer?
Me? I love to “chat”, am addicted to wordplay and luv animations. Can ya tell?..heh
But clearly, It’s not enough that bluetooths are now a fashion accessory, and no one leaves home without their iPod, laptop, or that electronic leash, the trusted cellphone………
You can now flirt with a crush, send a message, write on their “wall” or “poke” them without ever uttering a word.
Can ya come face to face with yer Facebook addiction?
Information is just a click away. But…….. Does it replace old fashioned talking?
From instant-messaging to web sites where you can interact and “talk” to your friends and people from all over the world.
Places where you can post photos of yourself (for only friends to see) or post messages to other “users.” How bout an entire “online community”?
Ah……..The excitement.
People can look you up, get to see your profile.You can include a photo; create an entire album of photos that “friends” can gaze at.
Your likes and dislikes, whether your’e single or taken. You can even share your political views ha.
You can join groups of users who share the same interests that you do
Bobsledding anyone?
And you may even choose whether or not to accept other users as “friends.” After all, admit it or not, it’s all about the amount of “friends” you accrue. 
Heck, you can even find out what ever happened to your old classmates from high school. If you want to, that is. Heh.
Then again……….There’s this growing trend of employers using sites just like Facebook while doing background checks on future employees. Perhaps it’s not the best idea to let a potential employer know that you are a member of the “Who can drink the most tequilas in under 3 minutes Club” eh?
Don’t rule out the potential stalkers, or perverts either.
Would you risk giving anyone an open invitation into your life?
Photos can be printed out and saved, and they oftentimes are……… for years even.
Once upon a time, feelings and private thoughts would be written in a diary, hidden in your bottom dresser drawer or better yet, under your mattress.
Most of us have experienced the ole “troll”, hiding behind his computer screen, using words and images that would be considered inappropriate, to say the least, for polite conversation, much less for publication on a world wide network. But, oh, the taste of anonymity.
Post something online, and hey, it’s now fair game for the world.
And the world is a considerably large place aint it.
What say y’all sweet friends..are you a member of the on line, ultra-cool, super-swanky chat club of the world?
Poking my friends over at Rosemary’s Thoughts, Nuke Gingrich, third world county, 123beta, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, Cao’s Blog, Leaning Straight Up, Big Dog’s Weblog, Wolf Pangloss, Dumb Ox Daily News, Conservative Cat, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:49 am
I’m not on facebook, but that harry potter profile looks funny. Where did you find all those cartoons!
February 6th, 2008 at 3:09 am
Na…too busy blogging, Angel. But half the people I know are. I’m beginning to wonder what it is I’m missing out on.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:14 am
Pro-America protest at Berkeley City Council 2.12.08…
Move America Forward is assembling a massive group of people who love our country, our troops, our freedom, and our constitution. If Berkeley City Council believes they can abuse our Marines without a response from those of us who support them ……
February 6th, 2008 at 6:17 am
I don’t like people I don’t know knowing too much about me. No telling what will come out when I run for office. lol.
February 6th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Very interesting article.
I always think of the Brad Paisley “Myspace song” anymore.
You can check the video out here
http://music.aol.com/video/online/brad-paisley/1933391
February 6th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I’m on it, but understand very little about it.
I could definitely leave it.
Have a super day Angel!
February 6th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Face the Nation…about Face…Face to Face…Face the music..etc..
I believe i have my fill of facial items….
Give me a facial tissue, when i need one,and i am happy..
Seriously now, its hard enough being me..how can i possibily keep up with all the imagined roles that my profile will contain.
Anyway, great piece of writing again Angel, i’ve got to get back to the Super Bowl celebration…remember, I AM THE QUARTERBACK.
All the best, Eli
February 6th, 2008 at 9:37 am
ummmm I have a life and therefore no time for either. Great post though…
And I did notice you like animations…
February 6th, 2008 at 9:54 am
I do have a MySpace page, but not Facebook. Who needs it?
February 6th, 2008 at 10:19 am
No MySpace or Facebook for this NeoCon.
February 6th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I just can’t get into FaceBook, or My Space, or any of those. I don’t have time. It’s all I can do to keep the blog going and visit my friends blogs. Where does the time go?
February 6th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Post something online, and hey, it’s now fair game for the world.
And the world is a considerably large place aint it.
Isn’t that the truth. One of the lessons I have been teaching my children and their cousins is to be extra careful about what they post online because you just don’t know what will happen anymore.
What we say here today could come back to visit for the rest of our lives. It sounds like hyperbole, but it is not. I am really concerned about how this will impact my kids.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Yes I am !
I use it just to message my friends and hate all those other crushes and walls and nonsense!
Are you on it ?If you are email me
February 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
No, I’m not on Face Book, and never will be, Angel. The most personal information I’ll ever put out on the internet, other than occasional stories about personal experiences, can be found in my blog’s profile.
I think it’s absurd to try to find a mate on the internet. How does one know the person is telling the truth and isn’t a pedophile, a serial killer, or – just as bad – unemployed? Just kidding. I don’t really think unemployed is as bad, but it’s pretty bad. LOL!
February 6th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Great Post Angel
I have never visited my space or facebook I dont think, but it sounds interesting.
Then again it sounds just like another thing to get hooked on lol
February 6th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I have a facebook account, but… the person who invited me no longer does. Only people who’re my facebook “friends” are one blogger and my family. I don’t exactly encourage folks I don’t know to harass me there. *heh*
BTW, Angel, the upgrade was easy, wasn’t it?
February 6th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
My kids have it, which mean I have to monitor it. The younger folks love it.
Here is Hugo Chavez’ face book page!
http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/2008/01/30.html#a3820
February 6th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
It seems the easier it becomes to communicate, the less of it we actually do.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Seems to me everyones’s getting on the facebook bandwagon. Should I or shouldn’t I?
February 6th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Nah…. Not enough time to devote to it.. hard enough to keep up with the blogging… but it is all very interesting. How people have become more comfy in front of a computer than face to face interacting. Heard on the news tonight they even have places where you can have virtual affairs..
February 6th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
It’s interesting, Angel, because in a way, I feel fairly close to some of my on-line acquaintances. True, I only know certain things about them, personally (and they know nothing about me personally), but we interact discussing politics, history, law, and other things, and in some ways, that interaction is what makes an interpersonal relationship the most meaningful.
Still, though, the Facebook thing does in a way seem to come off as a high school-type popularity contest.
February 6th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
s Brad Paisley sings….”I’m so much cooler online”
I work down at the Pizza Pit
And I drive an old Hyundai
I still live with my mom and dad
I’m 5 foot 3 and overweight
I’m a scifi fanatic
A mild asthmatic
And I’ve never been to second base
But there’s whole ‘nother me
That you need to see
Go checkout MySpace
‘Cause online I’m out in Hollywood
I’m 6 foot 5 and I look damn good
I drive a Maserati
I’m a black-belt in karate
And I love a good glass of wine
It turns girls on that I’m mysterious
I tell them I don’t want nothing serious
‘Cause even on a slow day
I could have a three way
Chat with two women at one time
I’m so much cooler online
So much cooler online
When I get home I kiss my mom
And she fixes me a snack
And I head down to my basement bedroom
And fire up my Mac
In real life the only time I’ve ever even been to L.A
Is when I got the chance with the marching band
To play tuba in the Rose Parade
Online I live in Malibu
I pose for Calvin Klein, I’ve been in GQ
I’m single and I’m rich
And I’ve got a set of six pack abs that would blow your mind
It turns girls on that I’m mysterious
I tell them I don’t want nothing serious
‘Cause even on a slow day
I could have a three way
Chat with two women at one time
I’m so much cooler online
Yeah, I’m cooler online
When you got my kind of stats
It’s hard to get a date
Let alone a real girlfriend
But I grow another foot and I lose a bunch of weight
Every time I login
Online
I’m out in Hollywood
I’m 6 foot 5 and I look damn good
Even on a slow day
I could have a three way
Chat with two women at one time
I’m so much cooler online
Yeah, I’m cooler online
I’m so much cooler online
Yeah, I’m cooler online
Yeah, I’m cooler online
Yeah, I’ll see ya online
February 6th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
wow, don’t know where the jj came from
February 6th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Heh, I could never get into that social network on the internet. Too vague and scary to trust someone I cannot see or hear. YIKES!!!!
February 6th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
THANKS FOR THE INPUTS AND OPINIONS ON THIS ONE..way kewl!
February 7th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I had a facebook account for a while, primarily for keeping in touch with a few friends I had made while playing BlogShares. Unfortunately, facebook encourages all sorts of nonsense, and some of the social “games” are highly innapropriate for anyone over the age of say… 30.
I no longer have a facebook account.