4 ms·

> Like many people, I'd really like to leave the platform but not the network of friends that I communicate regularly with. And no, email and or other channels

> Like many people, I'd really like to leave the platform but not the network of friends that I communicate regularly with. And no, email and or other channels are not good substitutes. Any alternative has to offer at least the same degree of functionality/convenience to be worth using. Not picking on you specifically, but I've noticed that this is the standard line used by people who love to complain about how shitty facebook (or sometimes twitter or some other social media site) is, but who don't want to vote with their feet. I have no accounts and never have, yet magically I have been able to keep in touch with everyone that matters in my life. I don't think I've missed out on anything important, either. Then again, I lived a good portion of my adult life before social media was invented, so maybe I just have some skills that a younger generation never acquired. Or maybe just different expectations. Seriously, this stuff has existed for just over a decade yet people act as if they can't live without it. It makes me fear for the future health and well-being of society.

smelendez 9y ago
Facebook has existed for just over a decade but a lot of people and institutions have already moved communications there that used to be elsewhere. Other communications that might not have taken place at all because of cost or other factors are now taking place on social media. It's sometimes the only place people post to let people know they're sick or well, in or out of danger (e.g., in the hurricanes this year), or had a major life event. Sometimes it's impossible to get this information another way without alarming or traumatizing someone, or tying up someone's phone line or draining their battery during an emergency. I've noticed some small music venues, theaters, etc. use it as their primary place to post events. About six years ago, I got one very good full-time job that I learned about through a tweet--I wouldn't have thought to even check if that employer had such a job without Twitter. I've since gotten freelance work that I only learned about through Twitter and Facebook. (I've also gotten work through email, Slack, Google Talk, SMS, LinkedIn, physical posters, and word of mouth). Lots of people use social media to vet potential dates, and see Facebook classifieds (tied to a real identity) as safer than Craigslist, etc. Facebook, Twitter and all have flaws and things I wish they'd change--so do my phone company, my cable company and the postal service. But using them is a net positive.
skinnymuch 9y ago
Your response is also a typical post around here. You're perfectly fine without social media or FB specifically. So why aren't other people who don't particularly like FB. It isn't always that simple. I also don't mean to pick on you specifically. Just expanding the discussion.
King-Aaron 9y ago
Picking on you specifically, but this is the standard line used by people who just want to complain about people complaining. I also existed before facebook, for quite some time. However I can empathise with those that are dissatisfied with the service and don't see a completely viable alternative, and this doesn't make me fear for the future of our species.
astura 9y ago
Since you can't live in a parallel universe where you have a Facebook account you can't possibly know if you're missing out or not. You also negligent to understand that the world isn't static - communication channels move to different platforms. When I was young "texting" took place through AOL's servers. Imagine if a business said "well the web wasn't around when we started so a website must be useless to us." I've reconnected with childhood friends who have long moved away on Facebook, so have a couple other people I know. That's invaluable. Without a Facebook you miss out on the one-off things you may say to a group but probably won't call everyone in your address book plus that guy you met at that conference last week, and your old college buddy you haven't seen in 10 years. Most of the time they aren't "important," but they can be, such as "My company is looking to hire for ${position}, is anyone interested?" Facebook also facilitates getting to know new people so much easier. It's very "low friction" to add someone you "know of but don't know" on Facebook. That can lead to new friendships. Sure, it's not the only way to make friends, that doesn't discount it.

smelendez 9y ago

Facebook has existed for just over a decade but a lot of people and institutions have already moved communications there that used to be elsewhere. Other communications that might not have taken place at all because of cost or other factors are now taking place on social media. It's sometimes the only place people post to let people know they're sick or well, in or out of danger (e.g., in the hurricanes this year), or had a major life event. Sometimes it's impossible to get this information another way without alarming or traumatizing someone, or tying up someone's phone line or draining their battery during an emergency. I've noticed some small music venues, theaters, etc. use it as their primary place to post events. About six years ago, I got one very good full-time job that I learned about through a tweet--I wouldn't have thought to even check if that employer had such a job without Twitter. I've since gotten freelance work that I only learned about through Twitter and Facebook. (I've also gotten work through email, Slack, Google Talk, SMS, LinkedIn, physical posters, and word of mouth). Lots of people use social media to vet potential dates, and see Facebook classifieds (tied to a real identity) as safer than Craigslist, etc. Facebook, Twitter and all have flaws and things I wish they'd change--so do my phone company, my cable company and the postal service. But using them is a net positive.

skinnymuch 9y ago

Your response is also a typical post around here. You're perfectly fine without social media or FB specifically. So why aren't other people who don't particularly like FB. It isn't always that simple. I also don't mean to pick on you specifically. Just expanding the discussion.

King-Aaron 9y ago

Picking on you specifically, but this is the standard line used by people who just want to complain about people complaining. I also existed before facebook, for quite some time. However I can empathise with those that are dissatisfied with the service and don't see a completely viable alternative, and this doesn't make me fear for the future of our species.

astura 9y ago

Since you can't live in a parallel universe where you have a Facebook account you can't possibly know if you're missing out or not. You also negligent to understand that the world isn't static - communication channels move to different platforms. When I was young "texting" took place through AOL's servers. Imagine if a business said "well the web wasn't around when we started so a website must be useless to us." I've reconnected with childhood friends who have long moved away on Facebook, so have a couple other people I know. That's invaluable. Without a Facebook you miss out on the one-off things you may say to a group but probably won't call everyone in your address book plus that guy you met at that conference last week, and your old college buddy you haven't seen in 10 years. Most of the time they aren't "important," but they can be, such as "My company is looking to hire for ${position}, is anyone interested?" Facebook also facilitates getting to know new people so much easier. It's very "low friction" to add someone you "know of but don't know" on Facebook. That can lead to new friendships. Sure, it's not the only way to make friends, that doesn't discount it.