Recently, I deactivated my Facebook account. It wasn’t meant to be any sort of dramatic statement; I’ve simply grown tired of the site (including but not limited to: the content, the ever-changing UI and the arbitrary ways Facebook chooses to ignore or bypass privacy settings) and had been contemplating it for awhile.
Oddly enough, some Facebook friends reacted strongly to my decision. I received a few lengthy messages that closed with well wishes, giving me the impression that I was moving away forever or dying, rather than detaching myself from one online profile.
While I haven’t missed Facebook itself so far, I was surprised by a particular consequence of leaving. Due to the popularity of Facebook’s platform, I’m now either partially or completely blocked from interacting on sites that rely on it (i.e. Techcrunch uses its commenting system while Turntable only allows Facebook for logins). Admittedly, I’ve never been a heavy user of such websites, but that doesn’t mean I want the option automatically removed.
Facebook’s pervasiveness bothers me. I’d prefer that no online monopoly ever forms, given that no single social network will ever be able to appeal to everyone, even when you limit the definition of “everyone” to include only those who would be interested in social networking at all. I’m not sure what will eventually happen to social networks in the future, whether there will remain a number of disjointed services or one to rule them all, but in the meantime, I’ve stopped being a part of one that I just don’t like very much.
Tagged: facebook, first world problems, social networks
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Facebook has indeed taken over the world. I refuse to vote in anything that requires a FB account, refuse to sign in with that account, refuse for anything to be connected with my account except what I post on it myself or what my friends post directly to me. I find the whole site horribly creepy, but I know that I would lose contact with some friends or miss out on parties if I wasn’t readily available by my shining FB profile. It’s sad, but it’s true. Maybe one day I will grow out of it, but I can’t easily fathom it.
I noticed that too, that some site I frequent have me automatically logged in to Facebook (because I have the autologin activated), and if I comment it’d link it to my FB profile. So obviously I never comment
Mainly I don’t really post there anymore, aside from pimping my picture from a recent trip or to wish someone happy birthday. Other than that, it’s a great way to stealthily stalk old acquaintances I am no longer in touch with.
Or you know, even people I am in touch with.
One thing though I drew the line at, was twitter. I don’t see a reason for signing up for an account. It’s unprofessional to rant about clients anyway, and there’s nothing else that I’d want to write short “blog posts” about.
Hehe, lol at the “dying” part. RIP Elea *sniff sniff sniff* XD