Aside from the endless updates, friend connections and game playing on the social networking site with a massive user base, some people are now wondering what the real social and humanitarian worth of this site is. Now wait a minute and think about it. Consider: for what do you actually use Facebook? It’s a good question about how we spend our time and what we’ll do with the tools we use. Keep in mind that the argument is not that Facebook is useless, in fact, it’s being used for countless purposes from all kinds of people. However, with such a powerful user base around the globe of connectivity, is this program being used for the benefit of humanity? Should it be? Is it more than just providing a status update about what we just ate for lunch?
Consider the following article from Malcolm Gladwell, in the NY Times. "Small Change" (it is lengthy but a worthwhile read; especially if you use Facebook) One of the arguments of this article is that social networks consist of "weak ties" to each other rather than strong interpersonal relationships that can provoke and promote real change.
Also, this article from Techcrunch gives a brief account of two sides of the debate.
Do you see there being real, life-changing uses for Facebook, Twitter and other social networking tools?
What do you think the ‘real’ and true value is that Facebook holds? Have we tapped into the true power of being ‘connected’ with each other yet?
Consider the following article from Malcolm Gladwell, in the NY Times. "Small Change" (it is lengthy but a worthwhile read; especially if you use Facebook) One of the arguments of this article is that social networks consist of "weak ties" to each other rather than strong interpersonal relationships that can provoke and promote real change.
Also, this article from Techcrunch gives a brief account of two sides of the debate.
Do you see there being real, life-changing uses for Facebook, Twitter and other social networking tools?
What do you think the ‘real’ and true value is that Facebook holds? Have we tapped into the true power of being ‘connected’ with each other yet?
I use Facebook the most for keeping in touch with family members and friends who live far away. I feel without Facebook, I wouldn't be able to keep in touch as easily, because I don't talk on the phone too often, and it gives me a chance to "check in" and see how they're doing, or send them a message on my own time. Many times, when people live far away, it is hard to get in touch with them on the phone because either they are busy, or you are busy, but on Facebook, you can access it whenever you have time, and not worry about if the other person is at their computer at that moment.
ReplyDeleteI think Facebook HAS become a little excessive in terms of games and other things. I've been using Facebook since it first came out, and I actually prefer the first version the most, just because it was simpler and really focused on what it was meant to do, which is social networking and keeping in touch. I'm glad it hasn't gotten to the point of MySpace, where people edit and add their own backgrounds, music, and other distracting things which could take forever to load.
I have heard some people are pretty addicted to games, such as Farmville, and I think that it's ok to play games, but when it gets to the point of addiction...it can get a little bit crazy! :)
For those of you enrolled in Foundations of Ed Tech - how are finding the discussion capability of FB? Is it serving an educational purpose or would this be better created in a more educational venue?
ReplyDeleteThe only value I find in the FB format for our class is it helps to see the face next to the comment in order to become familiar with the other students. I have greater difficulty recalling who makes a comment in a blog. Other than that I find it annoying having another place to have to check for school information.
ReplyDeleteLike Jessica, I primarily use FB for communicating with my family out west. My father can not hear. We really haven't been able to communicate since he moved almost 20 years ago. Now he loves to FB, so we keep in touch.
When I began FB 2 years ago, I would post socially-conscious videos and information with no response. Last summer in a string of political rants people were making, I reversed a comment and ask when was the last time as individuals they did the things they complained about our government not doing, such as assisting a neighbor in need or helping an elderly person get a prescription.
This started quite the conversation which ended with a local business man offering to match up to $500 in funds to be donated by my friends to the organization of my choice. I choose The South Tahoe Women's Center in the name of a Rockingham County Girl that was swimming the lake to raise funds for a shelter that had assisted her and her baby girl in a difficult time. We had one month to get FB pledges to be matched. Another friend joined our cause and for two weeks we posted pictures, messages of the facilities needs, there service to the community and notices of the matching donation.
Of my 190 "friends" that like my quotes of generosity and service to humanity, 3 stepped-up and we were able to raise $500 for a girl who swam 12 miles is freezing water to assist those in need. I was deeply disappointed. No longer do I try to reach people on any level of depth through social media. I believe it is pointless. If the hearts of those individuals could not be touched by the words, pictures and story that took place in front of them, I place little faith in speaking to the masses.
In answer to your question Eric, I believe we are anything but connected on FB. Individuals become entrained not by words, but by the rhythm of the human heart.
ok...this is so funny because like Dr. Kellison has mentioned we are discussing facebook in both of her classes, foundations and digital design. as i mentioned on our facebook page I will admit I am a bit OBSESSED with my facebook page. I love looking at the pictures of my friends babies, i like seeing what silly things my sister is doing at college, I can track events where my guitar teacher is playing and so on. However does it truly make me a better person? My first response would be no-it just makes me nosey! haha!
ReplyDeleteI have had my facebook account for about 4 years now. When I first opened the account it seemed that the only options were to find friends, post on their walls and look at their pictures. Now you can have any type of farm you want, play endless amounts of games and invite people to candle parties at your house. Time and facebook have changed. I'm not saying it's a bad thing but when I started on facebook I found old elementary school friends, my dad's college roommate and many more people I had lost contact with. Now it seems like facebook is crawling with games and advertisements. I almost feel like it has lost it's orignal purpose. Please don't think I am complaining because I still seem to check it daily but it seems to really have changed over time.
I like the articles eric posted too-good food for thought!!
In response to Dr. Kellison above, I think the FB discussion is just as good on there as it would be on blackboard or on a blog site like this one. You still have to sign in and find the page regardless of which site you are using. It's a bit inconvenient and hard to remember to check up on the discussion. Once I remember it's there it works fine for me!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Janis, and found the Techcrunch article interesting. I've had facebook since it came to JMU in 04 and I have not really seen evidence of it being used other than a social communication/stalking/find out about events site. I use it daily, but I have my doubts it's really changing the world. I think the site can really aid in communication with people you would have long lost touch with, but it's really not a great venue for social change. It's sad but I can't say I've done much to try and change that myself.
I think there is a great amount of humanitarian potential waiting to be harnessed, but it has not happened yet and I'm not holding my breath that it will.
I agree with Jess I also find it hard to remember to check the discussions on Facebook. In fact I have the same problem with this blog and I don't think it is so much the technology but rather the use of multiple discussion tools within the same class.
ReplyDeleteAs for the potential for Facebook I feel that the massive user base lends itself toward some great possibilities. That being said as games and advertising continue to grow the saturation of junk limits its usefulness in much the same way email was crippled a few years ago with the flood of spam and "this is so funny!!" forwards. The answer might be for Facebook to allow users more control on sorting and categorizing "friends" and the way information is displayed from various categories. I feel this is an issue we see happen in most social media on web currently and hopefully will see advances in getting the jumbled mix of information under control.
I think Facebook has the potential to be a very powerful tool if used for “real, life-changing” purposes. I also think that a lot of humanitarian groups do already use Facebook to reach people. With that being said, the heading “Is Facebook Pointless,” has a bit of a negative connotation to it and the opposing argument is condescending on the current uses of Facebook. But the current uses of facebook, i.e. updates, friend connectivity, photo album sharing etc. are exactly what Facebook was created for. It was created for people to connect to one another and stay involved in each other’s lives in a way that has never been available before. It was made to network people, not to improve the ethos of humanity. It's interesting to me that the opposition of this debate(not that the author of this blog is)attacks the current uses of Facebook or rather what Facebook could be used for.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question should this powerful user base be used to benefit humanity? I think Facebook already does and it holds ‘true’ value to its 500 million users.
I don't like blogging on Facebook for Snow's 520 class. I much prefer this setup, because if I'm here it's for class. Snow feels like since everyone's already on Facebook, it's easy for them to make their way over to the discussion boards. I find this annoying, because Facebook is not work for me! I'd never used the discussion boards on Facebook before his class, and won't after it's finished. Facebook's a time waster, absolutely, if you consider keeping up with and taking interest in your friends a waste of time (I don't). I check my news feed, comment on people's statuses, look at photos, and get reminded about upcoming events. It's very much a part of my daily life, for better or worse. Mostly better.
ReplyDeleteI've been on Facebook for six years and have never been persuaded to do something significant because a stranger contacted me about some issue. If I'm already passionate about something or have friends using Facebook as a medium for social change, then that's different. In that case, there's nothing special about Facebook (there are many ways to get in contact with someone) except the ability to reach the greatest number of people the quickest.
I do not mind using Facebook's discussion board feature for Snow's class. Alongside his intention with this feature being used on Facebook, I find myself spending a lot of time on facebook anyway--why not somewhat "trick" myself into being productive by participating in the discussion board while being on the website I spend most of my time visiting? I do agree with others who have expressed that, generally, it isn't convenient to have multiple tools for discussion boards/online participation. It can become confusing as far as keeping up with what post is due when for what class, and on what medium of technology.
ReplyDeleteConcerning the 'real' and 'true' Facebook holds in my opinion, it opened a gateway of social networking that allows us to keep in contact with those we are distanced from physically, those we grew up with, and new friends we may make in our travels. While face-to-face interaction is vital and other mediums of communication are still used, Facebook gives us a way to keep up with what is going on in peoples' lives in a very constant and current manner. With other devices for communication such as cell phones, we would not keep in touch with as many people as we'd like, and may only get updates on the lives of people we care about weekly or monthly, if that!
So do I think Facebook is 'life-changing'? In a sense yes. It has changed our lives drastically as far as our day-to-day schedules, and our networking capabilities. The elimination of games and applications would be preferred in my opinion, such as FishWorld, Farmville, etc. and advertisements could use to be reduced, but the social networking tool still serves its purpose. On the token of the humanitarian side of this tool, as Andrew said, many humanitarian groups alongside a plethora of other types of groups and movements exist on Facebook and utilize the Internet to mobilize their cause.
While face-to-face human interaction will always hold the utmost value, Facebook certainly does serve the purpose it was created for.
I think that, as with most things, Facebook is what you make of it. Yes, there are plenty of meaningless “connections” and self-centered dialog, but for those who choose to make something more of it, the potential is there. I can only vouch for my own experiences, but Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with old friends as well as stay in touch with family and new friends. It also functions as a Watercooler of Commonality in some ways. We share online experiences—video clips, links, updates—that give us a common basis for discussion. Perhaps not the deepest connection, but one must start somewhere. We’re all so very busy that rarely do we take the time to send an email or a text message, let alone a letter. For me, Facebook has been invaluable in that I’ve been able to keep track of family members’ daily lives through status updates & watch my little cousins grow through pictures, even though I’m 900 miles away from home. There’s also a lot to be said for sharing an inside joke with friends or family from so far away. That little spark of connection can make my day! I find value in Facebook as a personal connection tool. I haven’t yet had to use it for work/school, and quite honestly, I like it that way. Facebook is my own little connection cocktail party; I don’t want to talk about work, politics, or philanthropy there. I think there are other, better mediums for those purposes, and I want to enjoy my personal connections in the pressure-free social environment that Facebook provides.
ReplyDeleteSince, I started a post about social change, I found a site that actually is a social network devoted solely to the topic of making a difference in the world!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jumo.com
It's still in beta but I thought that this was a great site to mention as this conversation is centered around Facebook's relevance.
Just as many of you have stated; I use FB to keep in touch with friends that I do not live close to or kind of just see what they are up to via photos. I also use it to be more in touch with friends that I do not call, text, see, or bbm (blackberry message). I know the argument of not all of your friends on FB are your friends is a hot topic as well as Dr. Thall calls them “faux friends” which I found to be hilarious, but so true. I have so many FB friends and half the time I am wondering do I even really know you. In addition FB has become something like the mecca for invites to events whether it is a party, an event on campus, or community service this is such a breeding ground for advertisement. Now to really answer the question, I feel that there possibly can be life-changing uses however I do not think that was the original intent anyways, it was for social networking which is supposed to connect people and have them apart of this one network.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Facebook is pointless. It definitely has its advantages. Personally, I try to stay away from because I become addicted the minute I log on. It's very easy to lose track of time on Facebook. Contrastingly, I do agree that at times Facebook serves no important purpose, however, that just depends on the user and how they choose to use it. Like already mentioned, all of the games and extra Facebook attractions are not really beneficial from my view.
ReplyDelete