I say Facebook is like the KGB in that you find out all sorts of information about people without them knowing you’ve been looking through all their pictures. So everyone gets to be the KGB, just like there are no class levels to communism. The caveat is that you put the information out there in the first place, but considering that you can get updates of everyone, detailing what they wrote on other people’s walls, what pictures they posted and if they broke up with their boyfriend, it is a little like a secret police newsfeed. I’ve heard rumors that Facebook sells your information to third-parties for the purpose of enticing ads and whatnot, in which case then Facebook, the platform is like the modern-day FSB.
In any case, you have the option of some hardcore privacy measures and Facebook is not nearly as public as MySpace. So rest easy. :) I think Facebook is great.
What I like about Facebook so far is that I can network with old friends and new friends alike without much awkwardness. What I don’t like about Facebook so far is that I feel kinda cheap after staying online far too long seeing who likes the same foods I do.
But Facebook is also like communism in that everyone wastes a lot of time on it and theyre all treated equally. theres no point for anyone to do something with their life as long as they have facebook. no one is going to get ahead if they use facebook. once your in, you cant get out of facebook. kinda like communism.
oh and Stalin probably runs it. or the KGB.
karen Jan 9, 2008 8:22 AM
If Stalin “friends” me, should I accept?
andrew Jan 9, 2008 6:44 PM
when i first stopped by facebook and used my gmail contacts to see who was already on facebook i had a small panic attack. seeing about 40 or so friends already listed, including all sorts of weirdos that i forgot that i ever knew, i had this vision of me walking into a 10-year reunion at LCS and immediately heading for the nearest door. i guess that’s it. i feel like i’m walking into a big room full of people i don’t keep up with and then suddenly i’m expected to be social. yowsers…isn’t the internet built on anonymity? i guess that’s why it’s social networking, huh?
You know Andrew, if I were going to my 10-year LCS reunion? I would be running, not walking, for the door. Maybe because there is Facebook and we can look at each other’s pictures and profiles without actually talking, we don’t have to have the reunion!
Bethany Jan 10, 2008 11:27 AM
Seriously, Facebook has made the concept of a reunion very anti-climactic. You already know who’s married, who has kids, who got skinny/fat, what everyone’s doing for a job, where they’re living, what they look like now…what’s the point in gathering to drink fruit punch and rehash what we already know about each other? :)
As a high school counselor, I often tell my students that I was in high school when they were born. I now have to tell my Freshmen and Sophomores that I was in COLLEGE when they were born.
I also have the wish that more of my high school friends were on facebook. I’m from the class of ’91.
24 Comments
Kristin Jan 7, 2008 12:25 PM
I sent you an invitation, right? I’m totally addicted, like completely. Just ask Adam. :)
Kristin Jan 7, 2008 12:27 PM
Actually, now that I think about it, I may not have invited you yet. I was planning to though!
Megan Jan 7, 2008 12:55 PM
Worse than the blog, that… Do you play scrabble? *grin*
RT Jan 7, 2008 2:35 PM
Kris, it’s the thought that counts. : )
Megan, let’s get a game going. I do play, but I don’t know how well. Feel free to kick my tush.
jared Jan 7, 2008 5:15 PM
get out while you still can.
facebook is like communism
andrew Jan 7, 2008 6:09 PM
i have to agree with jared.
facebook is like communism.
RT Jan 7, 2008 7:56 PM
Explain.
Lindsey Jan 7, 2008 8:36 PM
I would say facebook is more a particular branch of communism–the KGB.
I look forward to this explanation.
RT Jan 7, 2008 8:40 PM
Lindsey, now YOU’VE got to explain, too! Expound, expound.
Bethany Jan 7, 2008 9:02 PM
Everyone’s silly. Facebook is fun.
I want to play Scrabulous, too!
Jacinda Jan 8, 2008 12:26 AM
ooooh, scrabble on facebook. that’s kinda like going to the methadone clinic, isn’t it? :)
Lindsey Jan 8, 2008 12:47 AM
I say Facebook is like the KGB in that you find out all sorts of information about people without them knowing you’ve been looking through all their pictures. So everyone gets to be the KGB, just like there are no class levels to communism. The caveat is that you put the information out there in the first place, but considering that you can get updates of everyone, detailing what they wrote on other people’s walls, what pictures they posted and if they broke up with their boyfriend, it is a little like a secret police newsfeed. I’ve heard rumors that Facebook sells your information to third-parties for the purpose of enticing ads and whatnot, in which case then Facebook, the platform is like the modern-day FSB.
In any case, you have the option of some hardcore privacy measures and Facebook is not nearly as public as MySpace. So rest easy. :) I think Facebook is great.
RT Jan 8, 2008 10:40 AM
What I like about Facebook so far is that I can network with old friends and new friends alike without much awkwardness. What I don’t like about Facebook so far is that I feel kinda cheap after staying online far too long seeing who likes the same foods I do.
jared Jan 8, 2008 2:21 PM
Lindsey did a wonderful job at explaining.
But Facebook is also like communism in that everyone wastes a lot of time on it and theyre all treated equally. theres no point for anyone to do something with their life as long as they have facebook. no one is going to get ahead if they use facebook. once your in, you cant get out of facebook. kinda like communism.
oh and Stalin probably runs it. or the KGB.
karen Jan 9, 2008 8:22 AM
If Stalin “friends” me, should I accept?
andrew Jan 9, 2008 6:44 PM
when i first stopped by facebook and used my gmail contacts to see who was already on facebook i had a small panic attack. seeing about 40 or so friends already listed, including all sorts of weirdos that i forgot that i ever knew, i had this vision of me walking into a 10-year reunion at LCS and immediately heading for the nearest door. i guess that’s it. i feel like i’m walking into a big room full of people i don’t keep up with and then suddenly i’m expected to be social. yowsers…isn’t the internet built on anonymity? i guess that’s why it’s social networking, huh?
Lindsey Jan 9, 2008 9:56 PM
You know Andrew, if I were going to my 10-year LCS reunion? I would be running, not walking, for the door. Maybe because there is Facebook and we can look at each other’s pictures and profiles without actually talking, we don’t have to have the reunion!
Bethany Jan 10, 2008 11:27 AM
Seriously, Facebook has made the concept of a reunion very anti-climactic. You already know who’s married, who has kids, who got skinny/fat, what everyone’s doing for a job, where they’re living, what they look like now…what’s the point in gathering to drink fruit punch and rehash what we already know about each other? :)
Jeremy Jan 10, 2008 8:34 PM
… unless you graduated before the 90’s and you discover that there are only 14 people in your class on Facebook. ;)
Bethany Jan 11, 2008 12:12 PM
Before the 90’s? Were people, like, even alive then?
Kerri Jan 11, 2008 12:45 PM
Ouch.
from a 1981 graduate
sarah m. Jan 12, 2008 6:51 PM
I wish more of my friends who graduated before the 90’s or in the early 90’s were on facebook. :)
Bethany Jan 14, 2008 11:27 AM
I had a weird moment the other day when I realized that a person born in 1990 would be 18 this year. That just doesn’t seem right.
Kristin Jan 15, 2008 4:30 PM
As a high school counselor, I often tell my students that I was in high school when they were born. I now have to tell my Freshmen and Sophomores that I was in COLLEGE when they were born.
I also have the wish that more of my high school friends were on facebook. I’m from the class of ’91.