How Facebook Ruins Friendships

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204660604574370450465849142.html

by evanreyn • 17 years ago

19 11 17 years ago

online.wsj.com

pmorici2• 17 years ago

An older colleague pointed out this article to me the other day, as evidence in support of their opinion that Facebook isn't all it's cracked up to be. In response I said,

This article isn't about Facebook so much as it is a commentary on the effects of new technology on the evolution of social norms.

I'm sure when the telephone was invented people had similar complaints. As we develop new technology we must also develop new etiquette for it's use.

TomOfTTB• 17 years ago

I don't think that's true at at all. The problem this article brings up isn't "with Facebook" as much as it's with the fact that Facebook doesn't make it easier to delineate private items from public items. Which, imho, is one of the biggest un-talked about issues our society faces.

Facebook is modeled after a very childish model of "I'll just share everything with the world". But now you have everyone from future mates to HR departments checking people's profiles and under that scrutiny the current model doesn't stand up well.

You want to invent a Facebook killer all you need to do is figure out a way for people to share everything they do on Facebook while only giving select "friends" access on an item by item basis.

DTrejo3• 17 years ago

>only giving select "friends" access on an item by item basis.

Also figure out how to make this really easy, fast, and friction-free.

yters• 17 years ago

My friend just made up a different profile, and only invited some of her friends.

pmorici2• 17 years ago

Exactly, new etiquette. Don't post things to a persons wall that are best said in a private message. don't post embarrassing pictures of yourself or others etc...

DTrejo3• 17 years ago

Some things I've learned:

* never look at the profile of someone you're interested in.

* never look at an ex's profile.

* I prefer my own profile page over the "Home" page.

If you absolutely have to look at the profile of someone you're interested in, get the information you need and get out. Don't look at any pictures whatever you do! The result will always be bad!

A helpful question to battle jealosy/envy when you do run across something unsavory:

"Why would these two people be talking on facebook? Why aren't they just talking on the phone or something? They must not really be that close, since they're talking on facebook after all..."

zaidf• 17 years ago

If you don't do all that, what do you do on facebook?

madebylaw• 17 years ago

This post is a duplicate: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=784824. There should be some kind of test that runs and alerts a poster of possible duplicate entries. Thoughts?

DTrejo3• 17 years ago

The urls are different

sqnz• 17 years ago

The only thing I check on facebook is the pictures of the babies of my brothers :-) I only see my nephews once every 3 months, so facebook is great there! And occasionnaly I send a message to an old acquaintance from high school or get an invitation to go to some event. That is great.

But all the useless talk that make up 90% of the facebook experience... it's stupid the author is right there.

c00p3r• 17 years ago

Facebook is not about friendship, but networking. It is just a way of communication or time wasting.

How Facebook Ruins Friendships

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