7 ms·

The Time Has Come to Finally Delete Facebook

77 points by myinnerbanjo 8y ago

m0llusk 8y ago
This is really stuck up and unrealistic. People need connection and Facebook provides that. Provide an alternative or suck it up. Positive and negative causes both feed off of what Facebook has to offer. Being high and mighty isn't going to be enough to fix what is wrong here.
the_snooze 8y ago
All the rewards and none of the responsibility. It's the Silicon Valley way.
- dleslie 8y ago
  Repackage business models that exist in developing nations as a result of extreme income disparity or poverty and call it the new gig/sharing economy. Make sure the app captures as much data from the user's phone as possible; it's worth something.
  - jammygit 8y ago
    Could you elaborate on the business model repackaging? Did these models really come from developing nations? Edit: typo
pasta 8y ago
I never had Facebook but still got my friends, family and places to go to. As an outsider I find the fuzz around Facebook amazing. So what Facebook does only care about money. Are they supposed not to? If you don't like Facebook just leave and don't be so dramatic about it.
- the_snooze 8y ago
  Yes, it really is simple to leave Facebook, their web and app tracking ecosystem, contact list scraping, purchase of information from data brokers, and creation of shadow profiles. Simply "leaving Facebook" isn't as meaningful a choice as you're suggesting it to be.
- humanrebar 8y ago
  Facebook still tracks non users in photos. There are some benefits to getting especially you close friends and family to quit.
  - mrits 8y ago
    What are your thought on resolution advancements in satellite imaging?
- ethiclub 8y ago
  For devil's advocate testing of this, apply standard addiction/depression comparisons. - "As an outsider I find the fuzz around heroin amazing....If you don't like heroin just leave and don't be so dramatic about it." - "As an outsider I find the fuzz around depression amazing....If you feel depressed just get some exercise and don't be so dramatic about it." - "As an outsider I find the fuzz around sex addiction amazing....If you are addicted just stop having sex and don't be so dramatic about it." The world is becoming more empathetic to addiction and mental strength - And is, in general, transitioning away from 'stiff upper lip' / policing policy towards nurturing / healthcare. It's worth considering 'FOMO' (fear of missing out), social anxieties, desperation to belong in society etc... There are many factors like these (genuine mental patterns that people experience) that give credibility to the current narrative of 'social media is addictive and we should help people'. It therefore seems that one's default stance should be 'I assume there is a genuine problem here that people need help with' rather than 'they must be pathetic, why don't they just quit'.
jchw 8y ago
Well, I'm certainly ahead of the times, then. I deleted years ago. Was barely even on the platform. I don't get why it addicts so many people, it feels like the worst way to communicate with friends; I've got group chats across several apps and those are infinitely better even if limited. My only real regret is the "several apps" part. So if Facebook doesn't care, why do people think Twitter cares? Or any social media? I early on naively hoped Google+ would "save" social media... But honestly, even though I was a huge proponent in it's first year or so, it became clear the problem was really with the concept itself and not the platforms. I don't believe in global social networks anymore. I believe in a very loosely tied network of tiny to small communities for interests, groups of friends, etc. And I realise some social media platforms have tried to implement groups, but to me it never even really came close to offering what we already had with the web of online forums and IRC channels. To me, having a single global network where each person has their own group of friends is both too limiting and too wide open.
- gbear605 8y ago
  The benefit from Facebook that isn't really offered by anything other than Google+ is the "Christmas Card" news - you find out when your old friends and distant relatives have important things happening in their lives, like moving, getting married, having kids, etc. Also people like to live vicariously through their friends, which they can do through photos of their lives, especially kids and trips.
  - jchw 8y ago
    Yeah, I see how different kinds of people may genuinely benefit from Facebook. Maybe it is a personality thing, but I can't relate.
- pixl97 8y ago
  It is designed to make as many addicts as possible. If it didn't, they would continue development until it did.
finaliteration 8y ago
Facebook prioritizes "connection", but doesn't question whether all of those connections are -good- ones. I know there are a million comments out there about how deleting Facebook led to someone having less anxiety, depression, etc., but I'm also in that camp for a reason that I don't think gets mentioned a lot. I suffer from PTSD due to childhood abuse and neglect (and I'm talking heavy drug use, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, gas-lightning). But when my parents, my abusers, added me on Facebook I felt obligated to add them due to pressure from family members and friends who don't get how the abuse affected me, and out of guilt because I had a child and didn't want to deprive them of some relationship with their grandchild. I do know that responsibility lies with me for not ignoring them or speaking up about it. However, leaving Facebook severed that connection again, and I felt slightly more free knowing I wouldn't have to interact with them or let them have a view into my life. I started using Facebook because I wanted to cure my loneliness and make some friends in college, which did actually happen. At first. Now it's just a platform that reminds me of the past by forcing these "connections", suggesting people who I had long forgotten and never wanted to speak to again. I say, "Good riddance".
- jamesrcole 8y ago
  Sorry to hear of what you've been through > Now it's just a platform that reminds me of the past by forcing these "connections" It doesn't force those things.
  - danharaj 8y ago
    I think it does.
    - jamesrcole 8y ago
      "But when my parents, my abusers, added me on Facebook I felt obligated to add them due to pressure from family members and friends who don't get how the abuse affected me..." How did Facebook force them to add those people as friends?
      - 8y ago
dlock 8y ago
one of the most difficult things to relay about why facebook is a danger (probably more so in years gone then now) is they can not visualize the effects (both in the real world and mentally) . This was probably how drugs where viewed back in the 70s it was all seen as fun and games and mostly harmless. If you say to someone dont speed, drink and drive as it may cause you to get into a car accident its clear to see the devastating impact speeding and drink driving can have, people can imagine it, they can see it and dont want to be involved in it, but when you tell friends and family facebook has the potential to brainwash, manipulate and control you its hard for people to understand how because it is related to understanding how data can predict and be used understand behavior, its a very new concept for many people just being understood in the last few years. To the majority of users they control facebook, its not the other way around, they can delete images, comment on things, vote on things and and do what they need to on the platform from the saftey of their own home, to majority of people it gives them a voice when before no one cared about what they had to say, but as the ads that they are shown seep into their thoughts without them knowing, the articles and propaganda about the latest political events change their behavior and their emotions and mental well being are affected as they see their friends lives supposedly much better then theirs, they just get more and more sucked in. As someone with a comp sci major from 15 years ago and understanding the power of data i have been having this conversation with people for years and even now with so much of these facebook powered problems occurring more and more in the media, many still dont see the effects, though at least now , the dangers are hitting the bigger more general audience. At least there is progress there and hopefully this will allow the public to make a more informed decision before they put up their whole lives and the lives of their kids on social media before their kids are even old enough to approve or accept that they want a social media account.
- mturmon 8y ago
  Good comments. Many people seem to believe that Facebook can behaviorally manipulate other people, but not them. They are wrong.
craftyguy 8y ago
The time to 'delete facebook' has been here for several years. A more accurate title would be 'person finally notices the writing on the wall'.
ty_a 8y ago
Facebook will delete itself. https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&q=%2Fm%2F02y1vz https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&q=... Facebook interest has been steadily trending down for years.
- jkaptur 8y ago
  An alternative explanation I've read for that chart is that fewer people need to search for it - the app is already installed.
- kryptiskt 8y ago
  That's not the way the Facebook user base and revenue has moved. But of course, why would anyone already on Facebook search for it?
JumpCrisscross 8y ago
Going cold turkey is never easy. If you're having trouble withdrawing, consider what I did over the past few years: 1. Turn off notifications for the Facebook app on your phone; next 2. Turn off notifications for the Facebook Messenger, Instagram, et cetera apps on your phone; then 3. Delete the Facebook app from your phone; then 4. Delete the Facebook Messenger, Instagram, et cetera apps from your phone; and finally 5. Log out of Facebook on your desktop. It took me 2 years to go through from step 1 to step 5. It has made me happier and more productive. I still have a Facebook account. But the friction of grabbing my laptop and logging in forces me to consider "is this what I want to do? Or am I thoughtlessly reaching for the crack pipe?" (It's been months since I've cared to log into Facebook. Feels more like trudging through spam in an old e-mail inbox, now, than anything compelling.)
- dorchadas 8y ago
  The biggest issue for me is Messenger. There's a few people I only communicate with on it, and I'd hate to lose that, even though it's not frequent communication. Otherwise, I've had mine deactivated (so I could keep messenger) for going on a month now, and don't miss it apart from some updates for groups I'm in.
  - JumpCrisscross 8y ago
    > The biggest issue for me is Messenger It was for me, too. That said, if you simply ignore Facebook Messages and periodically drop in with "didn't see this until just now; shoot me an e-mail or text next time," everything you want to see eventually makes it over.
  - ibash 8y ago
    I recently sent the message “hi I’m deleting my facebook so text me instead at <number>” to everyone I communicated with in the last few months. Turned out to be only a handful of folks. Take the plunge! The water’s great!
- eeeeeeeeeeeee 8y ago
  Yep. I did the same. I treat it more as my online Rolodex now. I’m using Facebook so much less now that every time I login it send some me a “friend suggestion” notification. The last 20 or so people recommended are not even people I know. I’ve never even heard their names before.
rasengan0 8y ago
have done.
nunodonato 8y ago
Facebook is not going away, not soon, at least. Not until a fit replacement shows up. I look at people around me, they love how easy it is to create a new facebook "group" just to get people together working on something (event, workgroup, plain discussion around a topic). Nothing matches this so far. Nobody wants mailing lists (I do!), or newsgroups, or going to 2 or 3 other website (more registrations needed) to be able to do the same facebook does so simple. Unfortunately. PS - extra tip: take advantage of the containers in the new firefox, and make sure you isolate your facebook usage in one, at least it wont track you around the web
- Markoff 8y ago
  just create group chat in your favorite messenger
zmonkeyz 8y ago
tldr version. Some writer is butthurt because they called out George Soros. Who cares?

77 points by myinnerbanjo 8y ago

This is really stuck up and unrealistic. People need connection and Facebook provides that. Provide an alternative or suck it up. Positive and negative causes both feed off of what Facebook has to offer. Being high and mighty isn't going to be enough to fix what is wrong here.

the_snooze 8y ago

All the rewards and none of the responsibility. It's the Silicon Valley way.

dleslie 8y ago
Repackage business models that exist in developing nations as a result of extreme income disparity or poverty and call it the new gig/sharing economy. Make sure the app captures as much data from the user's phone as possible; it's worth something.
- jammygit 8y ago
  Could you elaborate on the business model repackaging? Did these models really come from developing nations? Edit: typo

pasta 8y ago

I never had Facebook but still got my friends, family and places to go to. As an outsider I find the fuzz around Facebook amazing. So what Facebook does only care about money. Are they supposed not to? If you don't like Facebook just leave and don't be so dramatic about it.

the_snooze 8y ago
Yes, it really is simple to leave Facebook, their web and app tracking ecosystem, contact list scraping, purchase of information from data brokers, and creation of shadow profiles. Simply "leaving Facebook" isn't as meaningful a choice as you're suggesting it to be.
humanrebar 8y ago
Facebook still tracks non users in photos. There are some benefits to getting especially you close friends and family to quit.
- mrits 8y ago
  What are your thought on resolution advancements in satellite imaging?
ethiclub 8y ago
For devil's advocate testing of this, apply standard addiction/depression comparisons. - "As an outsider I find the fuzz around heroin amazing....If you don't like heroin just leave and don't be so dramatic about it." - "As an outsider I find the fuzz around depression amazing....If you feel depressed just get some exercise and don't be so dramatic about it." - "As an outsider I find the fuzz around sex addiction amazing....If you are addicted just stop having sex and don't be so dramatic about it." The world is becoming more empathetic to addiction and mental strength - And is, in general, transitioning away from 'stiff upper lip' / policing policy towards nurturing / healthcare. It's worth considering 'FOMO' (fear of missing out), social anxieties, desperation to belong in society etc... There are many factors like these (genuine mental patterns that people experience) that give credibility to the current narrative of 'social media is addictive and we should help people'. It therefore seems that one's default stance should be 'I assume there is a genuine problem here that people need help with' rather than 'they must be pathetic, why don't they just quit'.

jchw 8y ago

Well, I'm certainly ahead of the times, then. I deleted years ago. Was barely even on the platform. I don't get why it addicts so many people, it feels like the worst way to communicate with friends; I've got group chats across several apps and those are infinitely better even if limited. My only real regret is the "several apps" part. So if Facebook doesn't care, why do people think Twitter cares? Or any social media? I early on naively hoped Google+ would "save" social media... But honestly, even though I was a huge proponent in it's first year or so, it became clear the problem was really with the concept itself and not the platforms. I don't believe in global social networks anymore. I believe in a very loosely tied network of tiny to small communities for interests, groups of friends, etc. And I realise some social media platforms have tried to implement groups, but to me it never even really came close to offering what we already had with the web of online forums and IRC channels. To me, having a single global network where each person has their own group of friends is both too limiting and too wide open.

gbear605 8y ago
The benefit from Facebook that isn't really offered by anything other than Google+ is the "Christmas Card" news - you find out when your old friends and distant relatives have important things happening in their lives, like moving, getting married, having kids, etc. Also people like to live vicariously through their friends, which they can do through photos of their lives, especially kids and trips.
- jchw 8y ago
  Yeah, I see how different kinds of people may genuinely benefit from Facebook. Maybe it is a personality thing, but I can't relate.
pixl97 8y ago
It is designed to make as many addicts as possible. If it didn't, they would continue development until it did.

finaliteration 8y ago

Facebook prioritizes "connection", but doesn't question whether all of those connections are -good- ones. I know there are a million comments out there about how deleting Facebook led to someone having less anxiety, depression, etc., but I'm also in that camp for a reason that I don't think gets mentioned a lot. I suffer from PTSD due to childhood abuse and neglect (and I'm talking heavy drug use, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, gas-lightning). But when my parents, my abusers, added me on Facebook I felt obligated to add them due to pressure from family members and friends who don't get how the abuse affected me, and out of guilt because I had a child and didn't want to deprive them of some relationship with their grandchild. I do know that responsibility lies with me for not ignoring them or speaking up about it. However, leaving Facebook severed that connection again, and I felt slightly more free knowing I wouldn't have to interact with them or let them have a view into my life. I started using Facebook because I wanted to cure my loneliness and make some friends in college, which did actually happen. At first. Now it's just a platform that reminds me of the past by forcing these "connections", suggesting people who I had long forgotten and never wanted to speak to again. I say, "Good riddance".

jamesrcole 8y ago
Sorry to hear of what you've been through > Now it's just a platform that reminds me of the past by forcing these "connections" It doesn't force those things.
- danharaj 8y ago
  I think it does.
  - jamesrcole 8y ago
    "But when my parents, my abusers, added me on Facebook I felt obligated to add them due to pressure from family members and friends who don't get how the abuse affected me..." How did Facebook force them to add those people as friends?
    - 8y ago

dlock 8y ago

one of the most difficult things to relay about why facebook is a danger (probably more so in years gone then now) is they can not visualize the effects (both in the real world and mentally) . This was probably how drugs where viewed back in the 70s it was all seen as fun and games and mostly harmless. If you say to someone dont speed, drink and drive as it may cause you to get into a car accident its clear to see the devastating impact speeding and drink driving can have, people can imagine it, they can see it and dont want to be involved in it, but when you tell friends and family facebook has the potential to brainwash, manipulate and control you its hard for people to understand how because it is related to understanding how data can predict and be used understand behavior, its a very new concept for many people just being understood in the last few years. To the majority of users they control facebook, its not the other way around, they can delete images, comment on things, vote on things and and do what they need to on the platform from the saftey of their own home, to majority of people it gives them a voice when before no one cared about what they had to say, but as the ads that they are shown seep into their thoughts without them knowing, the articles and propaganda about the latest political events change their behavior and their emotions and mental well being are affected as they see their friends lives supposedly much better then theirs, they just get more and more sucked in. As someone with a comp sci major from 15 years ago and understanding the power of data i have been having this conversation with people for years and even now with so much of these facebook powered problems occurring more and more in the media, many still dont see the effects, though at least now , the dangers are hitting the bigger more general audience. At least there is progress there and hopefully this will allow the public to make a more informed decision before they put up their whole lives and the lives of their kids on social media before their kids are even old enough to approve or accept that they want a social media account.

mturmon 8y ago
Good comments. Many people seem to believe that Facebook can behaviorally manipulate other people, but not them. They are wrong.

craftyguy 8y ago

The time to 'delete facebook' has been here for several years. A more accurate title would be 'person finally notices the writing on the wall'.

ty_a 8y ago

Facebook will delete itself. https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&q=%2Fm%2F02y1vz https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&q=... Facebook interest has been steadily trending down for years.

jkaptur 8y ago
An alternative explanation I've read for that chart is that fewer people need to search for it - the app is already installed.
kryptiskt 8y ago
That's not the way the Facebook user base and revenue has moved. But of course, why would anyone already on Facebook search for it?

JumpCrisscross 8y ago

Going cold turkey is never easy. If you're having trouble withdrawing, consider what I did over the past few years: 1. Turn off notifications for the Facebook app on your phone; next 2. Turn off notifications for the Facebook Messenger, Instagram, et cetera apps on your phone; then 3. Delete the Facebook app from your phone; then 4. Delete the Facebook Messenger, Instagram, et cetera apps from your phone; and finally 5. Log out of Facebook on your desktop. It took me 2 years to go through from step 1 to step 5. It has made me happier and more productive. I still have a Facebook account. But the friction of grabbing my laptop and logging in forces me to consider "is this what I want to do? Or am I thoughtlessly reaching for the crack pipe?" (It's been months since I've cared to log into Facebook. Feels more like trudging through spam in an old e-mail inbox, now, than anything compelling.)

dorchadas 8y ago
The biggest issue for me is Messenger. There's a few people I only communicate with on it, and I'd hate to lose that, even though it's not frequent communication. Otherwise, I've had mine deactivated (so I could keep messenger) for going on a month now, and don't miss it apart from some updates for groups I'm in.
- JumpCrisscross 8y ago
  > The biggest issue for me is Messenger It was for me, too. That said, if you simply ignore Facebook Messages and periodically drop in with "didn't see this until just now; shoot me an e-mail or text next time," everything you want to see eventually makes it over.
- ibash 8y ago
  I recently sent the message “hi I’m deleting my facebook so text me instead at <number>” to everyone I communicated with in the last few months. Turned out to be only a handful of folks. Take the plunge! The water’s great!
eeeeeeeeeeeee 8y ago
Yep. I did the same. I treat it more as my online Rolodex now. I’m using Facebook so much less now that every time I login it send some me a “friend suggestion” notification. The last 20 or so people recommended are not even people I know. I’ve never even heard their names before.

rasengan0 8y ago

have done.

nunodonato 8y ago

Facebook is not going away, not soon, at least. Not until a fit replacement shows up. I look at people around me, they love how easy it is to create a new facebook "group" just to get people together working on something (event, workgroup, plain discussion around a topic). Nothing matches this so far. Nobody wants mailing lists (I do!), or newsgroups, or going to 2 or 3 other website (more registrations needed) to be able to do the same facebook does so simple. Unfortunately. PS - extra tip: take advantage of the containers in the new firefox, and make sure you isolate your facebook usage in one, at least it wont track you around the web

Markoff 8y ago
just create group chat in your favorite messenger

zmonkeyz 8y ago

tldr version. Some writer is butthurt because they called out George Soros. Who cares?