Don't get me wrong, I like having a Facebook account. But am I the only one out there who thinks it's a little scary that something like this could become so popular so fast? Kirkpatrick says that after only a month of existence, Facebook had over 10,000 users. 10,000. That may not seem like such a big number right now, but think about it...10,000 users in just one month? And it was growing exponentially, adding new schools almost every day.
I don't have a problem with Facebook. I don't want people to think that I do. That's not it at all. I'm just completely in awe of how something like this could turn into such a pop culture phenomenon almost literally overnight. I don't understand the logistics of it, and I'm not claiming to by any means. It just makes me wonder...is our generation really this susceptible to trends? I know, I know, I have a Facebook account. I never claimed to be above it. In fact, I only got it because no one got on their MySpace account anymore. I knew that I needed to get a Facebook if I were going to stay in the loop about everything.
I gotta run guys. I'm going to give this some more thought and maybe ask around a little bit, starting with you all: How do you guys think Facebook became so popular? Maybe the more important questions is WHY?
Peace and love,
Caitlin
I agree completely Cait... like why wasn't myspace this big? I dont know what makes us all go crazy over facebook, its like a drug... a drug that I dont want to stop using. Imagine Facebook withdrawal ahahahahha ! I still love it!
ReplyDeleteSome good questions and pondering there, Caitlyn. We'll be addressing these questions as we go along, and in the book -- in bits and pieces -- the story comes together about what makes the site so appealing, especially to your generation. Of course, FB is much more than a pop culture phenom now. It's become both an ally of the people and an enemy of the state. It's a means by which oppressed people are finding voice, it's a place where people can "attack" others, even through the cloak of anonymity... I have no answer.
ReplyDeleteI do know this: my personal use of FB is pretty limited. I don't have the time. Maybe that's because I write, I teach, I help parent three young and active boys, I do service work here and there, etc. And yet I know people who do these things and still spend a lot of time on FB.
I'm pretty sure I have friends who are hoping FB will fill a hole inside them, much the way any kind of addict hopes they'll find wholeness in their use of whatever their substance (drugs, food, sex, alcohol, tanning beds, etc.)
You might find yourself drawn to topics that focus on the sociological aspects of FB.
Good post, Caitlyin