A few nights ago I had dinner with some girlfriends. I have no idea how the topic of Facebook came up but I could see the looks of pity on their faces when I told them how much I enjoy reading my friends' status updates. I continued to try to convince them that it's a worthwhile network only to see more looks of disdain, "and to think we socialize with someone so shallow who has nothing better to do with her time".
My friends didn't really say this but it's possible they thought it. Admittedly, I have more free time than most of them and I know I spend more time on my computer than they do. Sure, I could be doing other things like working, baking and laundry but who needs money, dessert and clean clothes? Don't answer that question, James.
I'm poking fun at it but I'm serious about how I think it's worthwhile, to me anyway. I have 30-something cousins, most of whom I'd never have any relationship with at all if it weren't through Facebook, because we live miles apart and had lost contact as we all moved on with our lives. My neices have had babies and now I get to see pictures and videos of their children whom I may not see for a year or 2 or 3. I would not have gotten to hear an interview by a friend who recently had a book published. Other friends post when they're having art showings or poetry readings. A young man who stayed with us a few years back while he was hiking the Appalachian Trail posted something on Facebook that made me think he was in VA. I contacted him via FB and sure enough he was here for several months and came to visit us one day. If ever I need a laugh there's always someone on FB posting a hilarious cartoon or video. Many folks I've sold goats to are my friends on FB. I get to keep up with the goats and whatever else is happening on their farms. I love that FB tells me which of my friends have a birthday that day so I can wish that person a happy birthday. Who doesn't like to get 100 birthday wishes? It's a way for your high school or college to find you to let you know when your reunion is. I love being back in touch with friends from elementary school, places we used to live, coworkers from years ago. It's a way to reach many people at once without having to send many emails. I could go on and on but I won't.
Finally, Facebook is a place where I can post my blog entries and have many more visitors than if I didn't.
My friends didn't really say this but it's possible they thought it. Admittedly, I have more free time than most of them and I know I spend more time on my computer than they do. Sure, I could be doing other things like working, baking and laundry but who needs money, dessert and clean clothes? Don't answer that question, James.
I'm poking fun at it but I'm serious about how I think it's worthwhile, to me anyway. I have 30-something cousins, most of whom I'd never have any relationship with at all if it weren't through Facebook, because we live miles apart and had lost contact as we all moved on with our lives. My neices have had babies and now I get to see pictures and videos of their children whom I may not see for a year or 2 or 3. I would not have gotten to hear an interview by a friend who recently had a book published. Other friends post when they're having art showings or poetry readings. A young man who stayed with us a few years back while he was hiking the Appalachian Trail posted something on Facebook that made me think he was in VA. I contacted him via FB and sure enough he was here for several months and came to visit us one day. If ever I need a laugh there's always someone on FB posting a hilarious cartoon or video. Many folks I've sold goats to are my friends on FB. I get to keep up with the goats and whatever else is happening on their farms. I love that FB tells me which of my friends have a birthday that day so I can wish that person a happy birthday. Who doesn't like to get 100 birthday wishes? It's a way for your high school or college to find you to let you know when your reunion is. I love being back in touch with friends from elementary school, places we used to live, coworkers from years ago. It's a way to reach many people at once without having to send many emails. I could go on and on but I won't.
Finally, Facebook is a place where I can post my blog entries and have many more visitors than if I didn't.
I am glad you have FB! :)
ReplyDeleteEm~
Facebook is one of those things you either 'get' or you don't. One of my sisters took about a year to get warmed up to it, but she finally saw how it was beneficial for keeping in touch with far flung family members. We've had some articles recently in the 'Awake' magazine encouraging us to be balance in how much time we spend on social networking, what information we share, and considering the effect of our posts on others. Balancing all those things out can be tough, but it's a valuable tool.
ReplyDelete