In 2003, a friend told me to get on facebook. It was at www.thefacebook.com. I ignored his hipster request for an entire semester. I first signed during the winter of 2003. I added about 100 friends in a day. I was hooked.
Eight years ago, facebook addiction didn't exist. Now, it is mainstream (1). New statistics come out every once in awhile, and are now updated in real time at http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics. The statistics and growth rates are very common online (2). These numbers give us the "wow" factor but are essentially pointless. The number of users ceased to matter after facebook did away with user verification. It was a great service when it was college-specific, a good service when it added workplaces, and less-than-mediocre when it opened up to the general public. Now, we have serious issues with social media security, digital identity, and the duty of harvesting digital crops on time.
Recognizing my own addiction, I've decided to act upon it. I turned 27 in June. It took me that long to realize that you have to give up who you are in order to turn into who you want to become. Tonight, I want to become one of the elite few who do not have facebook. I want to be left alone. I told my heartbroken fiance that I would deactivate my account and that technically, her account will no longer show her as being engaged to me, which effectively ended our digital engagement. Luckily, she has a ring to prove it in real life.
Then again, there is always Google+.
1) http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/positively-media/201005/social-media-addiction-engage-brain-believing
2) http://www.checkfacebook.com/
3) http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135795/Study_Facebook_use_cuts_productivity_at_work
Eight years ago, facebook addiction didn't exist. Now, it is mainstream (1). New statistics come out every once in awhile, and are now updated in real time at http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics. The statistics and growth rates are very common online (2). These numbers give us the "wow" factor but are essentially pointless. The number of users ceased to matter after facebook did away with user verification. It was a great service when it was college-specific, a good service when it added workplaces, and less-than-mediocre when it opened up to the general public. Now, we have serious issues with social media security, digital identity, and the duty of harvesting digital crops on time.
Recognizing my own addiction, I've decided to act upon it. I turned 27 in June. It took me that long to realize that you have to give up who you are in order to turn into who you want to become. Tonight, I want to become one of the elite few who do not have facebook. I want to be left alone. I told my heartbroken fiance that I would deactivate my account and that technically, her account will no longer show her as being engaged to me, which effectively ended our digital engagement. Luckily, she has a ring to prove it in real life.
Then again, there is always Google+.
1) http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/positively-media/201005/social-media-addiction-engage-brain-believing
2) http://www.checkfacebook.com/
3) http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135795/Study_Facebook_use_cuts_productivity_at_work
Man, I've been thinking about deactivating my facebook account too... but I don't wanna be 'that guy'.. just yet.. You got some good insights on this blog man. Tech geek in me appreciates your insights on social media very much.. Dr. Hu? =)
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