Pete wrote:The trick of getting into the swing of Facebook is realising that there really isn't any real importance or meaning in Status Updates. They are not intended to be news items; they're thoughts, feelings and casual chatter of your circle of friends - much like the idle chit chat you'd have in the pub. I, obviously, have no interest in a random stranger telling me that they're having a cup of tea; but I don't get to see that status, since if they're a random stranger, they don't appear on my Facebook page. Whereas if an old friend posts a banal status update about their day, it's not so much about the content of the status, but there's an ongoing communication with friends that is difficult to maintain without Facebook. For example, I'm going for a drink with a friend I've known for 25 years, but not seen in the last 5, but since we've both been linked on Facebook for the last few years, it doesn't feel like I haven't seen him in 5 years. Those are friendships that would be difficult to maintain over email or post - as you feel compelled to write a verbose letter, and if you're anything like me, I'd struggle to find the time or motivation to write long letters to the large group of friends who I'd like to keep in touch with but just don't see every day. Friends Reunited was an early pioneer in getting people in touch, but it does offer the ubiquity of Facebook nor anywhere near the toolbox of social networking features.
I think, like most, I found Facebook an odd beast when I first looked at it. And I was, also like most, initially nervous about what I typed into the status update field - not wishing to announce to the world anything as mundane as having a cup of tea. But then as you get more comfortable with the paradigm, you realise these are your friends, and if you don't want to hear about their day, they probably shouldn't be on your friends list anyway.
Pete,
Thanks for taking the time to "rationalise" the mystery of Facebook. It does shed some interesting new light on the whole thing for me although I doubt I will be rushing to sign up
Regards,
NOC
