The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly, or Reflections on Facebook

Recently, someone commented on a friend’s post in Facebook that “Facebook is for exhibitionists and voyeurs.”  A bit extreme, but the message is clear.  Facebook is unwholesome. I’ve heard this before, usually from people who do not use Facebook. 

Besides unwholesome, there’s the reputation that Facebook is frivolous.  One friend delightfully described it as “the world’s biggest cocktail party.” Another frivolity: the games on Facebook.   I once played a word game until 2:00 AM.  So I once quit Facebook. Then, in the fall, I rejoined, vowing never to play a Facebook game again.

My return allowed me to see a different side to Facebook.  I had not expected such valuable local news.  I found out about the recent Quinnipiac River Cleanup. And a local goose, who I happened to have met in the fall, just hatched nine goslings. I find out where favorite local musicians like Theodicy and the Navels will be playing.  It’s so convenient to see in one place people I know that will be appearing in theater productions, and later, photos of them in costume.

Internationally, I have a newfound ability to stay in touch with my friends in New Zealand.  They have posted photos of the breathtakingly beautiful South Island, where Frodo’s adventures were recently filmed.  One friend from New Zealand who teaches genetics announced he was in Macedonia.  What’s in Macedonia?” I asked.  “Newts” he replied.  I don’t think I would have connected the possibility of interesting varieties of newts with Macedonia otherwise.

I was able to stay in touch with a friend from Japan, during the earthquake, through Facebook.  How reassuring to find out she and her family were safe, and even the everyday challenges that they faced.   How special to be able to tell her that she and her family were in our prayers.

When elections were held in Haiti, I got in touch with a Cheshire friend there and asked him what he thought of the newly elected president.  He told me that the new president’s biggest job in Haiti was to bring honesty back to the government, which would make all aid efforts more efficient in turn.

Earlier this week, I found a tribute to Harry Truman, whose birthday it has just been. Often, friends post stories about the most promising new players for their favorite sports teams.  A friend who is an avid guitarist shared a performance of the “Rio de Janeiro Blues.”  A week or so ago someone posted a video of Phoebe Snow, who passed away recently, singing the best version of “Poetry Man” I’ve ever heard.  Another friend a musician fond of baroque music, shared a mandolin concerto by Vivaldi.

I have posted my own photos of a local Cheshire farm and their beautiful horses, energetic ducks, and picturesque barns.  A website I somehow stumbled upon had a great ad for the Navy Seals, and I had to share.  I made a 90 second video of the St. Peter’s Cheshire Palm Sunday Service, complete with bagpiper, and posted that also on Facebook.

This past Sunday, I posted a picture of my Mother’s Day treat.  It was a poppy seed bagel with slices of lox, cream cheese, tomato, and red onion from Bagelicous.  After seeing the post, a friend from Shropshire, England asked what lox was.  My internet connection was gone for several hours, so I didn’t see her question.  Luckily, another friend stepped in and gave a detailed enough example so my Shropshire friend could figure out what I meant.  In England, it’s called “lax.”

When making observations about Facebook, one must confront the privacy issue.  Facebook has tons of information about us.  And it can sell it, or use it in ways we may not approve.  I give to Facebook (and try always to post) only what I am comfortable telling any public media.  I also believe that many private and government organizations have already gathered so much personal information that I have already lost the privacy battle.

As for the data I personally give to Facebook, when I got tired of ads for weird tips for shrinking my belly or erasing my wrinkles, I changed my birth year to 1993.  Facebook may kick me off if they find out about this; however,  it will be worth it.   After a week or so, I was seeing ads for very original indie clothing, incredible shoes, and to top it off I was invited to consider spending my next semester in Amsterdam. I’ve since corrected my birth year, but I think they are still confused as I continue to get ads for chic clothing and the weird tips have not returned.

I would be very interested in the thoughts and experiences of other users of Facebook, both critical and appreciative!  There is much to learn, and I want to be the first in line to hear your comments!