Is Facebook hurting or helping us?

I absolutely hate social networking sites. I let myself get talked into MySpace, which I don't use. And now into Facebook which I rarely use. It has some benefits, like event invites, however Evite is just as good if not better for this. What I hate about Facebook is the mindless, frivolous comments like the examples given in the article. I just know there's better ways to spend time. And I'm not one of those high-and-mighty-don't-watch-tv-gotta-always-feed-my-brain-people. I watch tv and movies and listen to music just like anyone else. It's just that when it comes to entertainment I like it served by professionals like comedians, actors and musicians. When I get home from work/gym whatever, I want entertainment, not playtime with my friends online posting random statements and trying to get me to participate in "25 Things About...who fricken cares man. I regret that I joined. I feel like a sucka.

Facebook is alright, but i definitely don't get addicted to it.

it does facilitate social networking.

Marshall Mcluhan is rolling in his grave.

If people need to use facebook as a form of escapism, let them. If people like to think that they have hundreds of friends, all of whom give a damn about their new year's eve photos, or that they're going shopping, fine.
Some people need to live vicariously through things, I dont feel qualified to judge them seeing as though I'm on current everyday...

Some people become so wrapped up in living in the virtual world they forget to come back to reality. It's absolutely ridiculous when people would rather communicate online than face to face especially when it's people who have families who rely on them to be there mentally and emotionally not just physically.

Use the Internet to change the world, not dish about insignificant "stuff". And if that is all Facebook is about, it's a waste of time.

We can go back and forth about a number of the key issues in social networking sites and the internet in general but one thing is forever true. Nothing will ever trump good ol' human to human interaction. I don't care what's flickering on the monitor, there is a certain connection with a being that you can never feel with a computer screen. Have fun and be safe on facebook, but connect with the spirit of another once in a while to stay alive.

I personally believe as we advance as a species, the call for having a digital social identity will grow even stronger. People will be all over the world (maybe even off of it) and want to stay connected with others. Remember that this stuff is relatively new to us (within the past 20 years) and so the global culture is still finding a balance between time on the tubes and time with real people. Think about when someone doesn't use technology by choice, they say they are "off the grid". What if that "grid" is the global community that we just haven't mastered being a part of yet.

Like everything else in this universe, we must learn to create balance in what we do.

Somebody get me a hug.

I use facebook sparingly. I don't add people unless I am actual, physical, friends with that person. People from my past will stay in the past.

The cost of a progressive civilization shouldn't be the dissolution of human relations.....If so, we will have a very schizophrenic society which we already do....

Maybe, she just didn't have friends she cared enough to pick up the phone and let know what was going on.

This new way of interacting with people still isn't fully mapped out yet. There are downfalls and benefits which we don't fully understand yet.

It probably won't cause the downfall of society, and since she's got three kids, you probably wouldn't be able to see your friend Jenny in real life anyways, so be happy that you're getting what you do.

At the same time, after embracing this new form of social interaction, we are inevitably going to reject it at a certain level after a period of time.

Being social animals, we crave interactions with other people, and the internet forms a sort of chicken-wire mother for people to cling to in substitute of the real thing. A great example of this is my ex-girlfriend, who at one point knew more people on the internet and considered them closer friends than people she knew in real life. However, there is no substitute for the real thing, and internet hermits, having little physical contact with real people, are usually unhappy.

This is because we only came down out of the trees a few hundred thousand years ago, and our mind has adapted faster than our brain and body can handle.

Physical contact with other people releases oxytocin, a neuro-chemical which helps us to feel connected and happy. While we get the stimulus of interaction with other people on the internet, there is no substitute for face time with other human beings.

Thanks to our monkey nature, society will inevitably retreat back to a safe distance as the novelty wears off.

It is not the fault of facebook that people become hermits. It is just like every other service out there that people want to blame, instead of dealing with the source; the issue of the person using it. If you don't want people to know your business, don't use it. Simple.

It is certainly relatively awkward social networking.

Then again, this virtual forum is really quite interesting in a similar fashion.

I could be out on the town this minute, but I duck the invitations because this is more convenient at the moment.

If you can't handle it, don't get one. Leave the rest of us alone.

i knew this shit would happen the minute i was introduced to online networking.

I have a facebook and had it for a while now. I really try to keep it real with it though and not subscribe to too much. I got rid of myspace because it was like an addiction. Facebook is amazing because of the network it creates with old friends now in college, family aswell. I really think it unfortunate that there is so much frivilous BS on it though! It was very simple in its origin, then they re-structured the whole site to accomidate more content specific ad's and crap really.....

When was the last time you wrote a hand written letter to a friend...?

I see Facebook as a quick and easy way to stay in the loop when I get too busy to keep up. It's perfect for the loner-voyeuristic-type. Just ignore all the extra crap (pokes, knighthood and flair.) The Scrabble app is fun though- if you're into that.

facebook has helped me connect with high school friends and friends that live far away. BUT I do have friends that post constantly and tell every little thing they do. Too much info folks.

One of the articles that really got me started on current was about parents being friends on their children's myspace and facebook pages. Most of the comments by teens and young adults was rather derogatory and condescending and crowing about how sophisticated and grown up they were. Aaaah the stupidity of youth. That's exactly why I monitor what my kids are doing because I am fully aware of the ease of a dumb ass move that will haunt them for some time if not a lifetime. It is funny though how many "friends" I have picked up that I really dont know other than distantly.

As a young high school American, here what I see:

1. Facebook and Myspace are like preps and geeks.

SuperNews got it right as Facebook are for study budies while Myspace are for skanks....sorta. Most of the preps have gotten rid of their myspace and went to facebook while another group of students stuck with Myspace only.

2. Those are fighting words.

Now its not a big deal. But in the past, fights have broke out over myspace. Its really sad.

3. No Life

Another way fights are started is when an account is hack because of a "too good to be true" video or message been open. The person hacking the account then says the person is gay and all that crap.

4. Whats last nights homework?

A positive I've found is that you can get info on projects that you forget to write down. Hope they don't give you the wrong info, though.

5. Romoe and Juliet on Myspace

Myspace broke something that was hard to break, clicks. I had a friend who hanged out with certain people that really didn't like me. They told me to go away and downed me all the time. But after school, me and her would message each other for a long time. Thats a give plus to Myspace.

6. STOP STALKING ME!

With myspaces new updates, you can see almost everything they do to their myspace. And when I say "almost everything" I mean everything....

So there you go.

facebook is an information gathering system put into place by the fine people who brought us the total information act.
we are policing and spying on ourselves now, they've got us doing the dirty work for them.

Facebook is quick and convenient. It can be done at any time and its always waiting for me when I have a minute. Its the perfect thing for busy hectic schedules.

I am starting to wonder if I am the last person on earth that doesn't have a facebook account.

I found 3 close friends that I would have never found if it wasnt for facebook so whats the problem?

I think there is a misconception about things like Facebook, Myspace, etc that people who spend time on them or use them a lot are somehow social "hermits"- I'm sure some are, but many or not. Here are some pros to social networking sites:

1.Keeping in touch with old friends: How many people on Facebook have found you and you're like Holy Crap, I haven't seen them since high school! Even if it's somewhat an artificial "friendship", social networking sites help us reconnect with people from our past. Would we "lose touch" without it? Maybe- but that doesn't make us bad people, just grateful that facebook DOES exist and I can poke a friend when I don't feel like getting on the phone!

2. Independent Art: Artists, Musicians, Models, Actors, Organizations and Politicians have found a way to cut out the middle man and deliever their goods straight to the people. Sites like Myspace provide a free place where you can share your music, art, writing, etc and have complete control over what is seen (mine subs as my website until I get an official one- www.myspace.com/deliatheartist) I also have a group on Facebook, "Fans of DeliaTheArtist", where I update everyone on art shows, merch, etc. Even Obama has a facebook!

3. Internet Savvyness- Myspace lets us play with HTML, which is helping a lot of kids learn web developing skills. Facebook combines aspects of email, twittering, information sharing and internet dating all in one place!

Conclusion: I love the internet. I think it's mankind's greatest invention and it keeps us connected to the world in a way people in the past could never have imagined. Facebook, Myspace, Current, Twitter...they all have their uses, good and bad, but the positive aspects outweigh the negative.

One of my best friends moved away to Maine. She hasn't called me since she left, and everytime I've called her, I get voicemail. This whole time, we have been embroiled in a "poke war." It's been almost three years.

facebook has given me the unique experience of seeing what the ho's i banged in high school look like now , even what their children look like . i'm fairly impressed by what good taste i had back then , though i never knew i had it at the time .

I agree with Bwittany, with facebook I can keep in touch with friends in college in a way I would've never been able to before. Some people take it too seriously, but these people would probably find something else to take too seriously. Facebook for me leads to actually social encounters with my friend, I won't ever let all my social interactions boil down to facebook and I'm sure most well balanced people won't either.

So true, besides I know people who send virtual stuff and comment on your profile and everything, and in the real world they wont even say hi and pretend didn't see you. Weird man weird.

C'mon, a 'friend' who would rather facebook you than call you, doesn't sound like a good friend to begin with.

Facebook is not the problem, it's just outing and enabling all the pretend friends...
There's a difference between your social network and your real friends- don't confuse the two.

Great alternative to paying for cyber dating services! Never had a Facebook, but Myspace has supplied me with dates and my present girlfriend. User beware.

Great post.
It's hurting us. My daughter. just today (she's 20), came into my house, crying and very depressed because of "stuff" that was happening on facebook. Later, it turned out to be nothing. But the time she put into checking this and listening to that was huge. The stress and tension of these social networks will take its toll. As people withdraw from the real world and enter these networks, real social interaction is replaced with the ease and fearlessness that comes with not having to look someone in the eye when communicating. Nuance is lost and many things are misinterpeted. They are isolating as much as they are entertaining and fast. It's time to start disengaging from most of these networks, pick one and live outside the internet.

I see your point... but I think with the outrageous demands for productivity and the complicated logistics of living in an urban environment that can't be walked ( LA ) Facebook has allowed me to "socialize" or at least keep up with what my friends are doing and share what I'm doing in those months when we don't arrange to do dinner, get our kids together , etc... my "real" social sphere largely consists of people who work, live, and attend the same kid-related events as I do... but they may not share the same tastes in media, humor , or politics that I do... my Facebook friends are people I can b4 real with... it's not a surrogate for human interaction... and I totally avoid those silly applications... All told, I visit Facebook 2 or three times per week.

Disagree, it's all in how you use it.

I just got a facebook yesterday.

Now, me and my best friend in a different state along with another good friend who is busy with her child and job....well...we can talk every day!!

I would talk to them both a lot less if it wasn't for it.

I think I have to agree. I have a facebook and have seen that similarly to AIM, youtube, or even current, people somtimes say things they normally wouldn't. They make friends with people who aren't, upload pictures of themselves and others that they probably don't actually want all their 'friends' to see, and leave some completely unintelligent, illegitimate, useless space-wasting and server-slowing comments about things that don't matter. There are other things that make facebook a terrible creature comfort, but I should also point out some positive things, such as supporting causes, raising awareness about said causes and events, having conversations that would be inconvenient on the phone, and posting videos, photos, and links that you actually do want everyone to see.

agreed. i have a job where im not behind a computer screen, but what i dont understand is how so many people have time for facebook, where does the work concept fit in? it seems like everyone is on facebook, at work, almost every minute of the day. social networking has gone from actual conversations to an accept/deny button.

also why do i look like an asshole if i decline your poinsetta? send me a real one! and we can be friends, in real life, not in a box.