Facebook, Facebook, Facebook. It's a popular culture phenomenon we hear about in an alarmingly increasing rate. Is Facebook the new way to network? Will Facebook become a business tool? What makes Facebook different from Myspace?
What is it about Facebook that makes it so prevalent while other social media websites die? Well, first we must define Facebook and its functions. We all know Facebook is a "hot" medium. There are text, pictures and videos. But for what? Why even use a social networking site? Many people comment on the apparent triviality of Facebook as its downfall. I find it to be one of its biggest strengths. Why use a social networking site to communicate with friends who live in your dorm? Its frivolous. No matter how "hot" the medium, nothing can be more engaging than face to face physical interaction. However, a quick check of most college students' Internet tabs would show that this frivolity is widespread. Facebook is something to click on when blocked on a paper. Facebook is something to check in between classes. Facebook is something to go on when there's nothing else to do. And sometimes that's all you need.
Some people say that this rampant misuse of the website for insignificant interface with easily accessible real-life friends is a negative thing. They say that it makes people lazy and errodes actual interaction. I find this to be false. In all of my obeservations of Facebook and real life interactions, I have found that Facebook cuts down on the exposition of life. If you want to know how yesterday was for me overall, check my status. Tracy McClendon had a crappy day. Now there's a topic of discussion that didn't need to be dragged out. Facebook highlights the major events - someone entering a relationship, a birthday, a party - and allows the user to be more up to date on their friend's lives. And there are some of you Orwellian fear-mongers out there who may say, "Well that sounds creepy." And to you I say, don't update your Facebook every five seconds.
What is it about Facebook that makes it so prevalent while other social media websites die? Well, first we must define Facebook and its functions. We all know Facebook is a "hot" medium. There are text, pictures and videos. But for what? Why even use a social networking site? Many people comment on the apparent triviality of Facebook as its downfall. I find it to be one of its biggest strengths. Why use a social networking site to communicate with friends who live in your dorm? Its frivolous. No matter how "hot" the medium, nothing can be more engaging than face to face physical interaction. However, a quick check of most college students' Internet tabs would show that this frivolity is widespread. Facebook is something to click on when blocked on a paper. Facebook is something to check in between classes. Facebook is something to go on when there's nothing else to do. And sometimes that's all you need.
Some people say that this rampant misuse of the website for insignificant interface with easily accessible real-life friends is a negative thing. They say that it makes people lazy and errodes actual interaction. I find this to be false. In all of my obeservations of Facebook and real life interactions, I have found that Facebook cuts down on the exposition of life. If you want to know how yesterday was for me overall, check my status. Tracy McClendon had a crappy day. Now there's a topic of discussion that didn't need to be dragged out. Facebook highlights the major events - someone entering a relationship, a birthday, a party - and allows the user to be more up to date on their friend's lives. And there are some of you Orwellian fear-mongers out there who may say, "Well that sounds creepy." And to you I say, don't update your Facebook every five seconds.
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