Wednesday, August 20, 2008

You Will Be Assimilated

I know how to take a hint and after two people in one day told me to get a Facebook account I decided to see what all of the fuss was about. I have nothing against social networking sites, but I must admit that I always thought these things were for 13 year olds, people posing as 13 year olds, and college girls with poor judgment. Little did I know that an entire world of people I knew and people I should know were out there. Within thirty minutes of signing up I found two very good friends from college and my 65 year old Aunt. It seems that half of my long lost friends are on their second marriage and the other half have come out of the closet. I have even found some blogger buddies! It's also forced me to go through some old photos and post them to my account - just for grins. It's very addictive.

In the months after I talked about feeling disconnected I have made an effort to re-connect. I organize a parents group, I have made an effort to get out of the house and I read more blogs and try to comment more often. Facebook seems like a natural progression. This kind of connecting is so easy, though, isn't it? They find the people you know by scanning your address book and you can have complete control over what part of yourself you present to the world, much like blogging. Unlike blogging, though, it is not anonymous. It's not a place for raw emotion or deep thoughts. You can put logos on your page that tell people what team you root for, who your candidate is and what kind of day you're having, but a fight with your husband? Probably not.

Is that really connecting? I don't have an answer. It's just something that I was thinking about as I added my Cubs and Obama logo to my page.

Do you want to be my friend? Pretty please?

(A photo from days gone by. I'm the pale one on the left.)

GNO 2006 3

26 comments:

Unknown said...

It's addicting and I'll totally be your friend!! You can click my facebook widget at the bottom of my blog!! :)

Teal Marie Chimblo Fyrberg said...

Ah, best mojitos EVER...good times, good times. And welcome to the collective, by the way:-)

Kate said...

I felt exactly the same about facebook, until a friend I totally admire for being one of the coolest people I know mentioned that she has an account. So I had to sign in. I found a few people with whom I haven't spoken in years, but mostly it is friends I still keep in touch with outside of FB.

A friend of mine said that it is a lazy person's way to stay in touch. It is quick and easy, but it's a connection on the surface, not the deep, personal one. And as you said, it's quite public (depending on how you want to allow to be your friends, I suppose)--I mean, you really have to censor the information if you know your aunt is reading, right?

Totally proud of you for organizing a parenting group, by the way! Way to go.

Caro said...

Sure add me or I'll add you if I find you first ;-).

Amy said...

I too just recently "found" facebook. I'm still finding people...I'll be your friend...

ms. c said...

First things first- great job on organizing a parents group! Can I ask you how you managed that? I am dying to meet other moms but am a little shy about it...

Second- congrats on joining Facebook. It's a bit addictive at first (as you find people and catch up with them), and it's a good time waster when the hype dies down!

I'll totally be your friend, leave me a message on my blog if you want, and then I can add you! (My email from the blog doesn't work, nor is it my facebook email...)

Momto5 RachelJoy Photography said...

I enjoy facebooking adn staying connected.. I havbe more online friends than off :) hah

Cibele said...

I am on facebook as well! add me (cibele pinto)

AwkwardMoments said...

I need to get a facebook account i guess. I joined myspace to keep an eye on my husband's 15 yr old sister

AwkwardMoments said...

I need to get a facebook account i guess. I joined myspace to keep an eye on my husband's 15 yr old sister

Delenn said...

I think I have a facebook account somewheres...I was curious, but too scared to go far into it. Maybe I will...

I have noticed you commenting more, and its good to at least connect through the blogs. That reminds me--I should send out some Braces Bunch mail...

Katrina said...

Ah, networking sites. I'm not on FB, but I had a myspace account before it was cool to have a myspace account. It's a totally different kind of connecting than blogging; I definitely censor myself a lot more there for a variety of reasons, but I've also been able to "find" and stay in touch with tons of people that I wouldn't have otherwise.

Carrie27 said...

I don't have a facebook account, but I do have a myspace account that has kept me in contact with my relatives (since we all live across the country).

I agree, though, that it is not a place for raw emotions such as a blog is.

Now, I must offer my boos to what you put on your page...the CUBS?! Oh no! White Sox fan over here!

Amy said...

Ah facebook! It's so addicting. I agree it doesn't connect you in the way a very personal blog would. However, I don't let many people see my "real" blog because I am so real and completely me in it. Guess I'm not comfortable allowing myself to be vulnerable in front of everyone. Complete strangers? Sure. Close friends? Maybe not.

In Due Time said...

Coming over from ICLW...


I have myspace haven't checked it in at least six months though! I tried Facebook but couldnt get into it lol

Soralis said...

Thanks for dropping by my blog!

I am addicted to games on Facebook, hope you enjoy!

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

Here from IComLeavWe...
I have a facebook account but it so hard to connect with people and contact them.
I would rather blog I think.
I hate being poked.


(adoption,pregnancy loss, IVF twins)
My Little Drummer Boys

Kristin said...

I have a MySpace acct but I like blogging better for connecting with people.

Here from ICLW

Kim said...

I have an account but never use it. I got invited to be a friend by a view people and felt like I had to sign up. I would probably like it but don't have enough hours in the day for that and blogging! lol iclw

Nic said...

Facebook is fab - for exactly the reasons you say!

I have got back in touch with some people I really thought had gone forever.

Not so keen on the silly 'invites' thing though - I don't get many any more, think people have realised I DON'T want a pretty flower for my best buddies garden, or whatever it is, and I am NOT going to invite another 93.

Over from ICLW, thank you for a very relevant blog!

Jaymee said...

Facebook was my addiction for about a week. Then I remembered why I hadn't kept in touch with half the people I used to know. What I do love about it is meeting new people that I would have never known otherwise.

(ILCW)
thanks for the comments

Bec said...

I have resisted joining facebook up until this very moment, but I think your post has tipped me to getting an account! Eek!!!!!

Erin said...

Here from ICLW. I have avoided the social networking thing because I don't want to connect with people from my past. I also don't need another computer addiction, blogging is enough!

Anonymous said...

I work for a social networking site but I just can't get into it. I don't need anything more to be addicted to!

Amanda said...

I already had a myspace, but now I have a facebook too. I made it this weekend. I blame you :)

Anonymous said...

Krista, can you delete my comment? It came up on a google search and I want to remain anon. THANKS!!