Thursday, August 19, 2010

Thoughts On Facebook



First, watch the trailer above. I CANNOT WAIT.

Facebook is fascinating to me. While I don't understand how people can spend hours of their day looking at profiles and cruising pictures, I've immensely enjoyed catching up with old friends. I am very good at keeping in touch with people. We send out 150+ Christmas cards a year. Obviously, I have problems crossing people off my list. This is in no way an attempt to brag on my abilities to keep up with correspondence. Anyone can mail a letter, send an email or make a phone call.

So, this crazy social network allows each of us a glimpse into the world of close friends, old loves, enemies and the occasional crazy family member. It's genius. The privacy settings provide a bit of security, although, I think we all are aware it can be breached in many ways. Once we hit "send", "comment", "submit".....it's out there. To be read and shared. With your "friends" or anyone else.

I've witnessed the good and bad about Facebook. And, I'm enjoying the ride.

But, if I could be my snarkiest self, I'd recommend the following tips to any user:

1. Please do not feel obligated to squeeze your entire family or spouse or significant other in your profile picture. Adding another person does not make you look more worthy.

2. This goes for babies, too. We're thrilled if you've had one. Now, we just want to see if you're going to take the weight off. (Or gained it back like I have.)

3. Dogs or cats in profile picture? APPROVED.....because that just means you're funny enough to do it.

4. Random pictures including the kind of car you drive conveniently posed in the background is dreadfully transparent. Don't do that.

5. Also don't "tag" a picture of me where I am drunk or looking stupid. I can do both of those things very easily on my own, thankyouverymuch.

6. Writing a note to one of your closest friends about a fabulous event, night out or party = another dreadfully transparent way of announcing that other people are not included. Pick up your damn phone and text if you're unwilling to call said BFF.

7. "Liking" or participating in every Christian group online does not mean you are any less of an asshole in real life.

8. Announcing every single piece of local/national breaking news is annoying. That being said, I wouldn't have known about Michael Jackson for days because I rarely watch TV. But, still.

9. Mentioning the word, "Monday", in any post should automatically revoke your Facebook privileges. IE....."What? Who slipped in a Monday around here today? I was just enjoying Saturday!"

Disclaimer: If you qualify for any of the above critiques from me, please don't be offended. I've participated in nearly half of them. Live and learn, peeps.

Now, leave my blog and go look up your ex and have a field day making fun of his/her new love. We've all done it. It's part of the beauty of this mad online world.

22 comments:

Amy said...

FB is great. I love to catch up with old friends, etc. But your last comment reminded me - I am friends with an ex and I think I probably liked him more than he liked me (he went off to college and we drifted). Anyway, the life he lives now is very interesting (not one I would have thought he would be living) and I am glad I am not a part of it!!! Thank God for unanswered prayers right?

Leiah said...

I just read an article today about a guy who was arrested for sending his ex-wife a friend request - because it was in direct violation of the RESTRAINING ORDER she had out against him. What an idiot!

On a personal note, That Man's (the boyfriend) ex-wife's profile is NOT private. I sometimes see comments she makes on other's pages - and what she has said on occasion about us on hers. Now of course I can't say anything because then I'm the crazy psycho stalker biotch. But if I do say something, then she'll make it private and I won't be able to stalk, uh read it anymore. What a conundrum I'm in. lol!

Tammy said...

Another brilliant post by Casey! I love it! Oh, I was sure I'd you'd say something about the "copy and post this" statuses... if you really love your husband, sister, mother, brother, etc. That drives me batty! What about people who create fan pages for their daughter's comfort object? Crap! I promised a whole group of teachers I'd try to be less sarcastic today! Oh, well.. starting now!

Momma to the A's said...

That cracks me up!

I think it is so funny the things people do for hours on FB ... the farm, the bakery, etc. I barely have time to read what everyone has written in a day.

Thanks for the tips!!

Pam Bowers said...

I must admit...I'm addicted! and accepting friend requests any time. Look me up. lol

Sara said...

The only thing I really do on FB now is read people's status updates. They keep me entertained for the most part, but I have had to "hide" people that overly annoy me and tell every.single.detail of their poor, pathetic life.

And then I look at pictures, of course.

Dee Stephens said...

I'm a FB Junkie but not for games instead just stalking people and keeping in touch.
My favorite part of it? Seeing how much people's kids look just like them. It's so fun!
BTW - I've been an offender on many of your things..including..news, monday and pets :-)

timmonstimes said...

Oh dear...I broke (or should I say, "break") your #1 rule. I love my little family and that is a huge part of who I am. Rarely do I take a photo of just myself (NEVER) so it is my profile pic :)

Oh well! It is what it is! :)

Carrie Darney said...

Awesome! I am SUCH a FB Stalker. Being a recruiter I stalk potential candidate to make sure they are not wack jobs. I would like to add to your list: If you are looking for a job make sure you are not talking about things that you would be embarrased about in an interview and PLEASE for the love...make sure your photos are appropriate enough to be plasterd in the office. Not that they will but that is how sure you need to be...

Tammy...Awesome about Meow Meow...ha!

The Rand's said...

Ha! FB is crazy! Makes me feel like a stalker, but I still do it!

I like knowing what people are up to. And seeing their pics.

I don't post a lot, but I read updates daily!

Moni said...

I have a pic of me and Dave in my profile picture, and I'm keeping it because I think my hubby is a cutie pie! I can go for a really long time without checking FB out...especially during the school year. Too busy and tired to care if anyone is doing laundry, going out to dinner, etc. I've posted a few of those types of things before, and then feel like a total a$$hole later....like anyone cares!!!!

I can't stand when people use the word "greatness" with a period after, or separate. every. word. with. a. period. I'm not a moron....I can imply tone in plain text without crazy punctuation.

FROGGITY! said...

you CRACK ME UP casey!!! and i loves it.

i am always struggling with blog/no blog? facebook/no facebook? i posted lots of pics at first b/c family lives so dang far away mostly... (and i am too lazy to upload to a picture site... haa). also i love catching up with peeps... but still. it gets old after awhile!

and i heard a local teacher just got FIRED this week due to some comments made on fb! don't know what they were but still... that's just scary.

Anonymous said...

So true, Casey..all of it! Ha! Love it!

donatelli98 said...

Nice post Casey! I love #7! So true. I am hardly ever on there and feel like I miss all of the good inside jokes here in blogland - darn work which doesn't allow access to their site!

Clare said...

Love it!
I love FB, I was on Myspace when FB was for students only, same concept-younger crowd.

I'm guilty, Fiona is my profile picture and I'm getting ready to change it to a picture of both kids. I don't have any current pictures of me, I promise I'll get one soon.

If the shoe FITZ said...

all this coming from a chick that created a page and writes for a gross, dirty, stuffed CAT!

Kristen said...

I am oddly obsessed with Mafia Wars (please don't judge or defriend... I feel like I can be honest here). And I have started to get better at FB stalking- learned it from my friend who is a professional FB stalker.

And yes, I cannot WAIT to see the movie. Facebook was one of our biggest accounts at the company I worked at before going back to school so I feel some weird connection to them- other than the fact it's the only way I stay connected with some people....

And send me your address when you get a second. I have goodies to send out to you!!!

Happy weekend Casey!

Merry Mack said...

I love facebook. I am totally addicted and check it several times a day. I rarely post because my phone will not let me update my post. I have a lot of FB rules for myself. I often unfriend or hide people because of their pushy religious and political feelings. When someone's post makes me angry, they are on notice and if it happens again, they are out because I don't need negative feelings in my day and if they are giving them to me, then I don't need them.

I don't accept friendships from parents, mine or others. I don't think FB is the place for family or people you are sort of associated with through work. I also don't accept old boyfriends who were stupid. We had to have a big discussion about FB and appropriate behavior being a school employee because some people are stupid.

I feel so connected to friends near and far and love looking at their children. I love the funny people in my life because they are funnier on FB.

Coco said...

Great post and so true. You should of added that none of us give a SHIT what you had or are making for dinner. Not at all.

The Potters said...

Oh my goodness, Coco is so right. Seriously...no one cares. And I also totally agree with Tammy. That should really be the number 1 no no. All that said, I sure do love to look at people's pics and status updates. I think I'm addicted...

The Lenzers said...

monday monday monday
HA just kidding!!

Allyson and Dave said...

I love Facebook but you are so right that many things are transparent. For example...I have learned that if people talk about money or material things on Facebook it is because that is the only thing that is going well in their life. They can't talk about a happy spouse or family because they don't have it...just an observation.

BTW...I have had to fire a few people because of Facebook. People just don't think.