I don't have Facebook account; I'm not on Facebook; I don't have Facebook. I really don't even know the idioms around the use of Facebook. However, more and more people in my generation are getting it. And, if teens and twentysomethings are any indication, then Facebook may soon replace e-mail as the standard form of Internet communication. I hope not for the teens and twentysomethings. On the one hand, Facebook is a remarkable, attractive social networking site -- and social networking strikes me as generally positive.
But Facebook should remain the province of twenty and thirty-somethings. Kind of like a bar for twentysomethings or a club featuring small, emerging bands. I have a former student, about 32 now, and she has started a band. She always tells us when they are going to play at some bar or small venue and we happily go. The band is good. I really like it. But our presence spikes up the average age of the place by a factor of about 1 geezerillion. We get questions about the paleolithic age. So I just feel like I'm ruining the buzz of whomever I'm standing next to. This is especially true if I start to move to the music even gently, ever so slightly. There is just something so wrong about this fiftysomething relic even just being here, but does he have to dance too? Does he need viagra to dance?
Similarly, with Facebook, I shouldn't be there seeing the communications of my goddaughters, the pictures they send to their friends, etc. And it would be so lame if I asked them to friend me. It would be so sad if they felt obligated to friend me. Clearly, Facebook is their world. And when they continue with it into their own dotage, their kids will network on something else.
Greg -
ReplyDeleteGreat points regarding Facebook; however, in a bar you are visible, period. On Facebook, you are basically only visible to people you choose as "friends" or connections on the site. You and others you want to connect with have to agree to share information, before you have any real visibility to each other.
Some folks have open profiles so anyone can see them, but the vast majority have a level of privacy, which they choose among several options. So you won't be able to see anyone's information until you agree to share information. Likely, your students won't be making that agreement with you - at least until their junior year in college. Then, they will realize how much you've meant to them, want to stay in touch, etc. - and a great way to do that is via Facebook.
I think you should try it, if you haven't yet. If nothing else, you'll see this amazing technology your students are spending tons of time on. That is how I got into it - I wanted to see what's up. Then I got hooked and now love it - I stay in much better touch with all kinds of folks now from high school, college, etc. - sharing great beers, great books, pictures of our last backpacking trip, etc.
If you are way ahead of me, which is likely, and you have figured all this out, please excuse me. What is really cool, actually, is this blog ... and thanks tons for that.
Ted
Dotage is a great word.
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