drew moser: Facebook Ramble...

journal : : field notes

Facebook Ramble...

02 January 2007

It's the beginning of a New Year, and everyone is listing, listing, listing. . . So I'll throw my two cents in. In 2006, I was introduced to a relatively new, but exploding Web 2.0 phenom: Facebook.

Facebook is a social networking sight, and I'm pretty sure every human being under the age of 25 is on it (plus some who are slightly older than 25, such as yours truly). It's an interesting place, and I thought I'd give my top 10 reasons I love/loathe Facebook. We'll start with the bad news first:

Top 10 Reasons I Loathe Facebook:

10. It's a time killer. Seriously, you can waste a hour no problem.
9. Profile Pictures--This isn't a blanket comment on all profile pics, just some.

To some of the women: what do you accomplish by dressing like that? Seriously, you're begging for internet stalkers to track you down...
To some of the men: Seriously, a drink in one hand and an inaccurate gang sign with the other doesn't make you look cool...just stupid. Plus, nobody holds their chin up that high and purses their lips. Ever seen Jamie Kennedy in Malibu's Most Wanted? I rest my case...

8. Some of the Photo Albums: Ok, here's where I really rant. A very typical Facebook album of teens/young adults consists of highlighting how 'wicked sweet' last night's party was. Lots of group shots, with certain essential elements: a. bloodshot eyes, b. tongues hanging out, I guess in a provocative fashion, c. faces smashed together, and d. really cheap, bad tasting beer. C'mon people!
7. People who update their status every waking minute. Nobody's that interested...
6. The 'how do you know this person' question? Facebook Friends can detail their relationship. A few fixed categories doesn't really cover the complexity of friends and family does it?
5.The religious and political views section on the profile. Again, very limiting...
4. The fact that I often post something on someone's wall, not knowing that my wife is signed in to her facebook account (or the opposite). Yeah, that's led to some interesting encounters. My wife once posted on a young adult female's profile while unknowingly logged into my account: "Hey girl, hope you're having a great day! Let's do coffee..." And I've posted similar stuff on guys' walls using her account. Awkward...
3. The Advertisers Are Taking Over. Slowly but surely...
2. Have I mentioned the party photo albums?
1. It's like an addictive drug...therefore I loathe it.

Top 10 Reasons I Love Facebook:

10. It's not mySpace--mySpace might possibly be the most annoying thing on the face of the earth, full of spam, errors, bad, bad profile songs, and Tom. If you don't know Tom, don't worry, you're not missing anything. Facebook doesn't have any of this Tom Foolery...(pun intended)
9. Networking--It's simply an ingenious way to network and communicate with friends.
8. Ministry--I can message everyone involved with VOX, create an event that people can RSVP to, get driving directions...you name it.
7. Long lost friends reconnected--I've reconnected with high school classmates, ol' college buddies, and people I thought I'd never be in touch with ever again.
6. Birthday Reminders--I'm horrible with dates, and Facebook ensures that I'll never forget someone's birthday ever again.
5. Groups--People created outlandish and ridiculous groups on Facebook, which is completely pointless, but completely fun.
4. Did I mention that it's not mySpace?
3. News Feed-Apparently the news feed was a pretty controversial addition to the site, but I think it's great. It's an easy way to stay updated on what's happening within your networks.
2. It's Web 2.0--Cool...
1. It's like an addictive drug...and therefore I love it.

Labels: online, Web 2.0