Social networking websites may have overstepped their boundaries this time.
"25 Things," a Facebook fad, allows users to share unknown information about themselves with other users. Each person is supposed to write 25 things about themselves that nobody else knows, then tag at least 25 people to the note, so that the tagged user can then perform the same daunting task. Through Facebook's "notes" application, a profile essentially becomes a homepage with a link to a user's blog.
The Facebook "25 Things."
What does grandma think of your "25 Things" list?
A Graphjam.com user-created graph about "25 Things."
The Facebook "25 Things."
All of this is fine and well. Where the problem lies is when people begin misusing this "blog." While it might be entertaining to read a survey about a middle school friend's iTunes playlist, most Facebook users aren't really trained to write this stuff well. The amount of time wasted (a Time article suggests 800,000 hours) on writing and reading the "25 Things" posts and other social networking websites' fads is just frustrating (and yes, I say so because I also occasionally get swept up in looking through pages and pages of crappy writing.)
There's a way to solve the problem, though. People need to figure out what is worth publishing. If it's intellectually enlightening, then yes, use the filespace. If it's funny, please, tag me in it. Even if it's just interesting, put it out into the world. But if it's a survey that asks you to use the "shuffle" function on iTunes to determine what song will be played while you're giving birth, you need to reevaluate.
What does grandma think of your "25 Things" list?
It's not hard. There's a few questions writers should ask themselves before publishing these poorly punctuated descriptions of their lives. How would you feel about your "25 Things" list if your boss at work and your grandmother discussed it over coffee? Does that survey actually tell anyone anything they didn't already know besides what type of pop you're drinking right now? iS thE NoTe YoU jUsT pUbLiShEd TyPeD lIkE tHiS?!? There's a difference between having something to say and saying something of out pure boredom. People just need to learn to draw the line more appropriately.
Through thorough research of this topic, (Facebook creeping) I've managed to compile a list of the top 25 things my Facebook friends shouldn't have posted (even though a few of them are funny.) Here they are:
1. I love painting my nails. If I were a super butch lesbian I would still paint my nails.
2. I do not shave that often... anywhere...
3. I used to use my American Girl dolls as patients and tape straws and strings to them for breathing tubes and IVs
4. I named my tummy Mango.
5. I LOVE the smell of scotch tape.
6. My car is named Hazel.
7. I constantly wake up wondering where these bruises came from.
8. I have two freckles on my left thumb.
9. I hate talking on the phone... I am a texting whore!
10. If I was stuck on an island forever I'd take Elton John and a never ending supply of weed.
11. I laugh like a dolphin-- a loud dolphin.
12. I have to limit my Dr. Pepper intake to eight cans per day.
13. I ran
14. I ran so far away
15. Couldn't get away
16. I was born with six fingers on each hand.
17. Good God! This fruit cocktail is amazing!!!
18. I definitely keep an eye out for ninjas.
19. I am a fenominal speller.
20. I have really long toes. In high school my friends called me "Finger Toes."
21. I am OBSESSED with Alcatraz
22. I ripped out page 33 of Go Dog Go and framed it on my wall.
23. I have a tattoo. Ask and maybe I'll show you, but it's in a dirty place.
24. I have an underwear obsession... I even take them from people.
25. Forget it, I can't think of anything else.
A Graphjam.com user-created graph about "25 Things."
I fully agree that people should be more careful of what they put on the Internet, especially things about themselves. You should always keep in mind that the Internet isn’t a secure place where you can say and publish anything you want. If you write something bad about your boss on facebook he or she will probably get a hold of the information in one way or another. This is also one of the best things with facebook, a chance for me to laugh at other peoples misery, so keep putting all possible things on facebook and put a big smile on my face.
I agree also that people should be more careful of what is put on the internet about themsevles. The internet is not a secure place and can cause personal information to leak out to people whom you have no idea of and ruin an individuals privacy. Yes facebook can be a great networking device but it can also ruin your chances of employement in the future and that is not worth it. Yes, it's funny what some people decide to share on facebook but in the end is it really worth it?
I think most people know what to expect with Facebook. A lot of the posted content on the website is of no real value. That does not mean people should not be allowed to post what they want, as long as it stays appropriate. If people want to post "25 Things" or "10,000 Things", does it really matter. No one is forced to read any of it. People do, however, need to be aware that what they are posting is available to many people. Consider graduate school, future employment, etc. when posting random information. People really need to remember that a lot of the content on Facebook can be seen by anyone.
I have also be victim to reading the 25 things list! even my mom was considering doing one. We were sitting at dinner recently, and keep in mind my dear mother is new to facebook, was telling me about the new application she added. Then i made a joke about how lame the 25 things was and she says "oh yeah that one is going to take me a while so i was going to write it out on paper first". I laughed so hard! i was like no mom thats not cool lol. And about the be careful what you post comment, I personally think people are making a bigger deal about this then it should be. If your not doing anything illegal on your facebook why would you care if your boss saw it if you were just being who you are? I wouldn't want to work somewhere when the people there thought i was someone different. Yes, the people who make comments about weed are stupid, but as long as you use discretion in what you are writing i think we'll be fine
I personally have never read the "25 things" portion of Facebook. As an older student I often get confused with all the new applications that seem to be popping up daily on Facebook. However, I'm not quite sure why someone would want to publish 25 random things about themself that no one else knows- no one else knows probably for a very good reason. I began using Facebook in undergrad and when it came time to go job searching after graduation immediately took down any pictures or posts that may have been questionable to potential hires. I think there's a time and place to say things and write things that are personal and sometimes strange, and that place does not belong on a social networking website. The problem today lies in that other kids start using the application and then it leads to more use and more use all the while seeming harmless. It is harmless until potential employers begin your background check.
I have never filled out the "25 things" application on facebook nor do I ever plan on it. My parents and relatives have recently added facebook for their own sick amusement...I could never put something that ridiculous on there. If they saw that they would probably wonder what type of education I was recieveing, and then pull me out of KU (not really to that extreme but you get the drift)...anywhoo I hope one day to have a good job, and unless I plan on being a rodeo clown I will never name my tummy mango.