When I deleted my facebook profile in the fall of 2005, it wasn't because of privacy issues. I just wasn't sure what the point of the site was. I preferred to stay connected with my friends by actually seeing them, in living color, rather than seeing them represented on a computer screen by some digital information.
But to be honest, I still haven't figured it out. I guess it's just a reflection of the era. It's always weird to try and dissect and interpret trends as they're happening. But with over 100 million users on myspace.com, it's difficult to simply write it off as this generation's trend. It's bigger than hair bands and new wave music, or whatever other silly trend from days past I can think up.
For me, facebook didn't do much of anything. It didn't help me connect better with my friends, it didn't help me create any new, lasting relationships and it didn't help me keep up with events or issues on campus. The problem is, for every one political activist on facebook, there are 1,000 goof offs who just want to talk about boobs and beer, but not necessarily in that order. All it did was help me waste time between classes. It was entertaining. It was fun to see what my buddy in L.A. had to say on my wall or what movies the cute girl in class likes. But that's really about it.
Frankly, it's a pretty boring site if you're not into underage drinking and debauchery. I think we're wasting our time trying to figure out what great uses the site could have, when it's already so wonderfully pointless. I just can't help but wonder how much longer it will last before it goes the way of mullets and snap on bracelets.
I think your closing is a good insight. There are others who wonder if these sites won't go the way of fashion trends. Friendster is already in trouble.
you should take those sites with a grain of salt. who really cares and just have fun with them even if they are a trend! I'm not into drinking and debauchery and have a myspace to talk to people I probably never would of again, it does have advantages!
Hmm, but wasting time is so much fun! Movies haven't gone out of style, have they?
I can agree with you on the snap-on braclets, but some people still wear their mullets proudly. Sad but true.
Look, this is site "facebook" is a total waste of time. Infact most people are addicted to it as far as I know. I know people who must go on it everyday to see what's happened. It's like invading into everyone's actions and their decisions, by adding people or messaging. Plus the pictures are always getting looked at, it's like an internet flare, showing people how your social life is really pulling together. Not only that, but people PLAN on facebook, how is that ideal if you don't want someone involved with your evening?! Anyways, this comment is more of a rant, but I terminated my facebook and it feels better.
I agree with Jacob , facebook is useless , boring and stupid , even online games are better (at least you learn good English in games)