Facebook, a place for snobs
So last week I joined Facebook, the social network for students that opened its doors last fall to anyone with an e-mail address. The decision not only doubled its active membership to 24 million (more than 50 percent of whom are not students), but it also made it possible for parents like me to peek at our children in their online lair. At Facebook.com, I eyed the home page (“Everyone can join”) with suspicion. I doubted Facebook’s sincerity. What could a site created by a student who was born three years after I started mispronouncing “Henri Cartier-Bresson” want with me?
An exercept from omg my mom joined facebook!!, by Michelle Slatalla.
I use Facebook but it should be noted I am a college student and fall in the 18-25 age demographic. And no, I don’t have a MySpace. Although, I can rather shamefully admit I had an account at one time. In my defense, I only signed up in order to write a paper on how horrible MySpace is but after the paper was completed I deleted my account. (Do I always write such cynical papers? I hope not.) It was an A paper, folks, and so my time invested was of great value, I’m certain.
Unlike MySpace, Facebook has an entirely different feel. For example, I love being able to navigate from page to page without waiting for 10 music videos to load in all at the same time. Facebook has recently opened up to anyone with an email account, whereas before the site was primarily college students only. I liked this exclusivity. I can’t describe it but when I stumble across a profile page belonging to an 80-year-old man whose interests are “church” and “spending time with grandchildren” I can’t help but feel like the site has taken an entirely new direction.
Michelle Slatalla’s article reminded me of these thoughts I’ve been having. It’s a very funny piece and I recommend reading it. Will my parents cross over to Facebook? What a scary thought! I hope not! As of June 7, 2007 I assume the answer is:
[Oh, and for the record: I have a healthy relationship with both my parents. My Mom is a reader of this blog and keeps up with my flickr photos. My Dad has no interest in blogs in general. He’d rather be using the Internet to purchase a Chessboard he probably already owns, or, to check the amazing (yes, amazing) Astronomy Picture of the Day. I wouldn’t be horrified of my parents joining Facebook due to my relationship with them, or because I have things to hide. I just don’t think the site was meant for… older people? But maybe I'm wrong. If 80-year-old men are joining Facebook then maybe the online community site really is changing.]
