Spring Break
Facebook: Use with caution or suffer consequences
Kris Noneman
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Forum
This past weekend, I was lucky enough to have an old high school friend come down from Seattle to visit me. We had a great time relaxing with a couple beers, talking about the good old days.
But then she said something to me that shook my entire existence; something so insulting, so hurtful, and so offensive I felt like crying:
"Your Facebook is boring!"
Naturally, I showed her with a retort that was equally insulting: "So is your face."
That little exchange with my friend made me realize something that I was too blind to notice before. People actually care about Facebook.
Let that sink in for a second.
Now, this might come as surprising information, but do not be alarmed, because apparently this has been going on for quite some time. In my mind, Facebook is just an easy way to stay in contact with people, a social networking site.
However, after a week of contemplation, I've noticed a frightening trend among my friends who spend a good portion of their days adding to the thousands of pictures of themselves, posting notes full of meaningless information, updating their statuses, jumping from one friend's page to the next and commenting on everything - including other comments. But that's a good thing, right?
Even though Facebook has made social life so much easier, let me describe some of the dangers that I see associated with this addiction.
First, have you ever found yourself studying for a midterm, but can't help stopping to check if anyone has written on your wall? Or, while you're sitting in class on your laptop, you feel the need to check out photos of that hot girl or guy you met at that party last Saturday? And how many of us have checked our Facebook at the library or at a friend's house because we can't wait an hour to get home to see who changed their relationship status and is leaving bitter photo comments on their ex's page?
Facebook addicts' studies are no doubt suffering. If someone were to find out the relationship between grades and time spent on Facebook - this someone wouldn't be me, since math and I are mortal enemies - I swear it would be reciprocal.
But then she said something to me that shook my entire existence; something so insulting, so hurtful, and so offensive I felt like crying:
"Your Facebook is boring!"
Naturally, I showed her with a retort that was equally insulting: "So is your face."
That little exchange with my friend made me realize something that I was too blind to notice before. People actually care about Facebook.
Let that sink in for a second.
Now, this might come as surprising information, but do not be alarmed, because apparently this has been going on for quite some time. In my mind, Facebook is just an easy way to stay in contact with people, a social networking site.
However, after a week of contemplation, I've noticed a frightening trend among my friends who spend a good portion of their days adding to the thousands of pictures of themselves, posting notes full of meaningless information, updating their statuses, jumping from one friend's page to the next and commenting on everything - including other comments. But that's a good thing, right?
Even though Facebook has made social life so much easier, let me describe some of the dangers that I see associated with this addiction.
First, have you ever found yourself studying for a midterm, but can't help stopping to check if anyone has written on your wall? Or, while you're sitting in class on your laptop, you feel the need to check out photos of that hot girl or guy you met at that party last Saturday? And how many of us have checked our Facebook at the library or at a friend's house because we can't wait an hour to get home to see who changed their relationship status and is leaving bitter photo comments on their ex's page?
Facebook addicts' studies are no doubt suffering. If someone were to find out the relationship between grades and time spent on Facebook - this someone wouldn't be me, since math and I are mortal enemies - I swear it would be reciprocal.
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