4 ms·

So is basic hygiene, but you can't expect to be successful in life without that either. That may sound somewhat hyperbolic, but as Facebook increases it's reac

by jobu 13y ago

So is basic hygiene, but you can't expect to be successful in life without that either. That may sound somewhat hyperbolic, but as Facebook increases it's reach it is becoming true. Your personal network is often critical for finding spouses, or jobs; it can provide helping hands when things go wrong, and for most people it's a source of happiness. For better or worse, Facebook has appropriated the personal networks of a majority of people in our society. It is possible to opt out of Facebook, just like you can opt out of society and go live in a shack in the woods.

mhurron 13y ago
>So is basic hygiene, but you can't expect to be successful in life without that either. An option does not mean that something is exactly equivalent or that it does not come with side effects. >It is possible to opt out of Facebook, just like you can opt out of society and go live in a shack in the woods. Definitely not in a shack, definitely not on Facebook. You, like a lot of people in the thread, see Facebook as required because 'everyone' uses it, except everyone uses it because it is required. Your own hangups or how it will be perceived by others makes you look on it as if it was required and not just something you chose to do one day. Honestly a friend that won't interact with you unless you have a Facebook account isn't someone I would call a friend.
- jobu 13y ago
  It's not that Facebook is required to have social interactions, but you're effectively cutting yourself off from a majority of society because it has become an expected norm. I have "real friends" that I used to talk to over the phone somewhat regularly. Facebook has taken over that network of people and now we post or chat on Facebook.
  - holri 13y ago
    I experience that not using Facebook has positive filter effects. People that do not understand that I do not like FB are not my friends. Facebook is therefore a good knife to cut me off drivel.
    - lowkeykiwi 13y ago
      If I didn't use facebook in London then I would simply miss every social invitation that I am given. Many people only use it because of this and would drop it otherwise.

by jobu 13y ago

mhurron 13y ago

>So is basic hygiene, but you can't expect to be successful in life without that either. An option does not mean that something is exactly equivalent or that it does not come with side effects. >It is possible to opt out of Facebook, just like you can opt out of society and go live in a shack in the woods. Definitely not in a shack, definitely not on Facebook. You, like a lot of people in the thread, see Facebook as required because 'everyone' uses it, except everyone uses it because it is required. Your own hangups or how it will be perceived by others makes you look on it as if it was required and not just something you chose to do one day. Honestly a friend that won't interact with you unless you have a Facebook account isn't someone I would call a friend.

jobu 13y ago
It's not that Facebook is required to have social interactions, but you're effectively cutting yourself off from a majority of society because it has become an expected norm. I have "real friends" that I used to talk to over the phone somewhat regularly. Facebook has taken over that network of people and now we post or chat on Facebook.
- holri 13y ago
  I experience that not using Facebook has positive filter effects. People that do not understand that I do not like FB are not my friends. Facebook is therefore a good knife to cut me off drivel.
  - lowkeykiwi 13y ago
    If I didn't use facebook in London then I would simply miss every social invitation that I am given. Many people only use it because of this and would drop it otherwise.