I have a facebook account, and I’m sick of it. I thought it was really cool at first; getting in touch with high school people I hadn’t seen since we graduated THIRTY NINE YEARS AGO. Looking at pictures of them now and realizing how they have or haven’t changed was really entertaining for a little while. But the truth is that even if I squint really hard, I still don’t recognize them, and they are as far away from our senior prom as I am.
I’m over it.
Posts like “Diane is going to the pool to lie in sun” give new meaning to the word narcissist. I haven’t seen you in forty years, and I need to know you are lying in the sun today? Is it a public pool? Is it your own pool? To say nothing of the fact that it’s been raining in New York for forty days and forty nights and sun anywhere sends me to my non-Obama Mini Me bitter mode.
Seriously, are we so out of it that we think that type of information is interesting to the 400 individuals who are our ‘friends’ on facebook?
Then there is the “Do you know Christine?” tests that people put up. The way it works is you dream up questions about yourself, offer them in multiple choice questions, and your ‘friends’ take the test to see how well they know you. Seriously, I see you once a year and I should know if you prefer Taco Bell, Burger King or KFC? And, even if one of those choices were your favorite place to eat, why would you admit it to 400+ ‘friends’? If I go to KFC (my personal favorite of the three), I do it in the dead of night when no one is in the car, trust me.
But, then I see how facebook was used in Iran this past week, and I think what an amazing thing. The only form of communication for some individuals risking their lives was their facebook account. But, none of my 400 ‘friends’ are fighting the fight in Iran, or anywhere else for that matter. They are busy heading to the pool for some much needed sun, so the need for communicating if they are safe is really beyond the pale. “Diane is going to the pool for some sun. If you do not hear back from me in two hours, call the police.” Not so much.
So, maybe facebook is for really interesting people who have really amazing lives. Like Obama. I would like to be his friend on facebook. “Barack is going to the oval office to decide whether or not to invade Iran.” Now, that’s an interesting facebook entry. Perhaps it’s just that I have boring friends who do boring things. That’s not true, I have amazing friends who do amazing things, but they don’t put them on facebook.
Then there are the “What kind of dog are you?” questionnaires that people fill out and the answer shows up on their facebook line. “Christine is a basset hound.” While the pictures of the animals are really cute, the whole premise makes me wince. “What city should you be living in?” was one of my personal favorites. What good can come of that question? If you are not living anywhere near where you should be living based on the answers to their questions, are you supposed to leave your jobs and families and move?
I’m not sure how you ‘quit’ facebook. I could post, “Christine is quitting facebook. Good-bye and Good Luck.” I don’t want to seem hostile. I think that sounds hostile. I have been on facebook for six months, and I have never seen anyone quit facebook. I like to be a leader amongst friends, so I could be the first. Who knows who would follow.
Glad to hear I didn’t bother to ever get on Facebook. My daughter (23) who is my friend in real life doesn’t really want to be my Facebook friend. I don’t need to see that my kid, who I assure everyone “isn’t much of a partier,” has a photo posted doing shots sitting on her boyfriend’s lap . . . and where is his left hand anyway? Some things we don’t need to share with our mom . . . just our 400 closest friends.
Originally I thought I’d like to sign up just in case a man from my past was frantically searching for me. Not holding my breath . . . or Waiting to Exhale. I’ll just have to get my groove back some other way. By the way Basset Hound who should be living in Kansas City, I’m heading to the pool.
I’m with you 100% on this! I am so tired of people who I see around town all the time and won’t even give me the time of day ask to be my friend on Facebook. I’m sorry, but if you don’t even want to say hello to me at the gym, why should we be Facebook friends. Just being nosy? It’s bizarre. And I’m ready to scream at all of the absolutely stupid nonsense that people post…several times a day in some cases. Get a life.
You know what irks me……I found out on Facebook that I’m not a true Filipino and that I’m a Guernica painting. Am I that messed up?
Annette, I thought you were an American? That is what we determined no?
Carlotta, you are one funny lady and I think you should guest blog on my blog…just say the word.
Yes we determined that….I am AMERICAN!
Facebook also says that my celebrity marraige will be with Johnny Depp..I think it’s great news.
I am not on Facebook and refuse to join facebook, just sick of hearing about stupid surveys and stories about people that haven’t been seen in 28 years!! WHO REALLY CARES!!!
I recently regestered the following two domain names on GODADDY:
getthehellofffacebook.com
getthefu*kofffacebook.com
and got an email from the legal dept at Facebook threatening legal action if I use these or sell these domain names. They’re concerned that some people may go to that url by accident. Yeah right. If there was a blog set up with that URL, it would get more use than FaceBook!!!
this is how much I think facebook is a waste of time,
Steve
the facebook weirdos can’t tell you what the hell to do steve. post whatever you want. tell them to put their threat in writing and then tell them you’ll be submitting all docs to your own lawyer if they think they wanna try to push people around. cyberspace is a free world.. tell em to go get bent.
Ben, don’t worry about the legal dept. at Facebook. They’re just puffing their feathers. The internet is free domain, you can put anything you want out there. I’d say go for it, make those domain names come to life. I’ll definitely be on there to support it if you do.
Ooops, I meant Steve.
IM SO SICK OF FACEBBOK….ITS ALWAYS DONE AND HAVING ISSUES….IT DOES NOT LOAD RIGHT…AND FARMVILLE IS A WHOLE NOTHER STORY….IT ALL SUCKS !!!!!!! MAYBE ILL TWITTER….
OPPS SORRY IM SO DARN MAD AT THE WAY FACEBOOK WORKS….I MEANT TO SAY ITS ALWAYS DOWN AND HAVING ISSUES…
I deactivated my account and those that were listed as my friends made such a fuss. I’m sick of technology in general. I want to be less aware of everything that is constantly happening every minute on some sort of device that links me to the world. I want to read a newspaper or write a letter. Facebook is a torturous festering breeding ground full of people who never meet officially but yet claim to know you and leave superficial sentiments on anything you write on your account. I couldn’t do it anymore. I’d like to get completely away but I can’t because I have to work and be connected so I can pay my bills.
Brilliant Post. Thanks.
FACEBOOK has become sooooo boring. People aren’t up to much.. most folks are doing the same thing as anyone else.. working, going someplace to do something or other and the pictures are mostly.. folks out partying and showing off their bodies. Big whoop. And I admit.. I have a semi body shot but it’s just me in some shorts.. it’s not deep. I feel like I see the same damn stuff on there ALL the time. I’m like.. this is a waste of my time. I think people will eventually start weening off and getting bored seeing the same crappy photos and boring posts.. “Jim is tired from work” “Caroline is going to the whoopty-whoop party!”
I’m like omg.. who CARES?? I would love it if their were some provocative discussions or something worthwhile going on on facebook.. but there never is.
Just a BUNCH of events going on that most people either attend or don’t. Either way I don’t think ANY of US are missing out on ANYTHING. period.
Why are we so preoccupied with other people’s lives? I am so close to getting rid of facebook for good. Is my life not fulfilling enough that I need to read what is going on everybody elses? It’s true. Why should I be friends with someone on facebook that doesn’t talk to me at work? The whole social network thing is getting out of hand….texting and everyone attached to their phone….I’m so sick of it….I am guilty of it myself,,,ick
I like what you wrote Hetty and Zim. People posting the same stuff on FB. It’s so played out and so High schoolish. I just feel there is more to conversations then inside jokes and people feeling like they have to “look cool” by posting quotes of philosophical leaders. Lately I have been questioning the social network and how it will affect our youth. Will it have a positive or negative impact in the long run. I worry about the future and the new generation. Am I just overreacting?
I have never created a facebook account. I live without a TV. No one needs to know what I ate for dinner or when boxers I have on. I can guarantee you that I have a much more active and meaningful life then all of the facebook addicts. People don’t do jack shit anymore. I am 28 and work 50 hours weeks and then when I get home I strap on my loaded backpack and go running because I am joining the military because I want to and because I have a calling for it. And the only folks who need to know are my family and actual friends. We need to start an anti facebook revolution. It sounds so nerdy, but this is who we have become. The land of the over weight and nosey folks who are up to absolutely nothing. On mondays when I ask co workers what they did during the weekend, almost every answer is relaxed or nothing! nothing ! WTF? People sit on facebook at work all day. It’s sick. And don’t even get me started on that tweet or twitter or whatever it is. A nation of nerds.
Mike that’s awesome. I’ve never joined facebook. I don’t text, tweet and don’t even own a GPS. Technology is dumbing down this society. I read actual books where I have to, get this, turn a page. Get off your phones and devices folks and get yourself outside and do something productive for a change like actually have a face to face conversation with another human being instead of passing them by because you’re too busy checking some idiots facebook status on your IPhone!!
This reminds me of one of the 1800 Tequila commercials with Michael Imperioli. Where he says: “Whatever happened to best buddies? These days everyone seems to have 742 (or some # around there) virtual “friends”. A best buddy is someone you share your 1800 tequila with. I sure ain’t sharing this with 742 people.”
Also I recommend checking out this video on youtube, just type in “Eliot Chang Facebook”. It’s pretty hilarious how the comedian Chang hits it right on the mark when he goes off on the facebook addicts who have to always update their status every half hour or so.
Granted yes I do have a facebook account, only to see what the hype was about, but I haven’t been on there as much these days. At first it was nice to get in touch with old friends from the past and to see how they’re doing, but other than that, not much to it for me.
IMHO, the people who constantly update their status with redundant posts have a serious case of having low self-esteem. It’s like their way of crying out for attention. Post such as “Feeling tired at work…” or “Oww my headache won’t go away!!” Seriously? Like we’re supposed to sympathize with you 24/7 over petty shit? What’s worse are those who actually respond with a “Aww I hope you feel better…”
Then there are those who got to brag about their life even if it’s just a simple task such as “Just got back from a 5 mile run after a hard days work at the gym..” Gee, well good for you! Now why don’t you call someone who gives a damn? Oh wait, you can find them on facebook…ugh
I kicked the Facebook habit three weeks ago and have never felt more satisfied. I never really went on it much and over half my friends were people I went to high school with and haven’t seen in over 20 years. Sure, it was great fun in the beginning but I was getting really annoyed of getting constant updates that so and so posted photos of their new car/puppy/vacuum cleaner, and reminders that my friends miss me when I haven’t logged in a few days. Most of us lead pretty boring lives it seems, or we wouldn’t have time for Facebook. Not saying that my life is exciting, just that I don’t need to be reminded of how un-exciting yours is, thank you! Maybe I’m too old to really “get” Facebook. But I’m actually relieved that I don’t have to feel like I’m a bad friend if I don’t comment on your cute puppy or baby photos.
Hello,
I came across your article and i think it’s well written. The problem is I’m also sick of Facebook, but it’s hard to quit : it’s basically an addiction. I spend the whole day pressing F5 key to refresh the facebook page and it’s really a waste of time. I decided to close my facebook account and get a life ! lol
Cheers !
facebook is getting so friggin dumb. U have to listen to people post ridiculous nonsense u don’t care about, get rejected friend requests from people that have no reason to dislike you. It really is a portal of boredom that sucks u in. Am i the only person that seems to feel slightly embarrassed after every facebook post, even if its not something thats a big deal, its just sleezy and weird.
Im a 29 year old guy and I like using it for getting in touch with women I have recently met and its nice for messaging close friends, but besides that its just annoying and makes me mad being slighted by people I wouldnt think twice about happily accepting their friend requests…and dont get me started on the fact that half the personal life things Im involved in I cant even post on there, u have to be so fake and its just annoying as fuck….
i feel like its a drug and i need to slowly ween myself off, and only come back and post pictures of me doing really awesome things or posing with beautiful women…even as someone trying to break free its hard to ignore the urge to throw success in other people’s faces in a subtle way on facebook, the whole thing is well intentioned but turning into a nightmare for a lot of people, lets all just be thankful we are not highschoolers having to deal with this….I can only imagine.
one more thing…whether u are democratic or republican…i think we can ALL AGREE we are getting sick of the friends who post their left or right propaganda all day….its like a date, keep politics out of it!
I shrunk my friends list to family and close friends.Set it to private. I am done with all the NARCISSIST out there : )
It seems like the Facebook craze is wearing off., At first it was entertaining but now to hear about boring people doing boring things is really tiresome., In truth I do not care what they are doing day to day, nor do they really care what I am doing., so why are we all reading eachothers posts.?., BORING, all I can say if your on Facebook more than ten minutes a day, get a real life!!!
Hmmm. I’m not on facebook much. I use it for only a few purposes, keeping in touch with my family across the U.S. while saving money on phone bills, and I use it to let them know I have a new video up on my youtube account. I play an ocarina and I just got started with these. Outside of that my step-mom is always in a drama-gripe-drama-drama fight with someone from somewhere and asking my opinion… WHY, I don’t know, because I always manage to piss her off. And I’m sick of getting 75 frickin app requests every damn day from the same people.. CLEARLY I’m not accepting the damnable things so stop sending them. Facebook is primarily a testament to human hubris and stupidity, if you ask me for my opinion (yes, i’m aware I That I was not asked.
I’m only 22 and closed my Facebook last year. Have not missed it for a second! I grew tired of the pointless little updates people felt they had to share online. Honestly, how pathetic is that! The only photo I ever uploaded was a profile picture, and I never wrote any status updates. Awful, awful website that is ruining communication in the real world. Give me phone/email or real world experiences anyday! Facebook is depressing and not worth my time.