Facebook: The Pros and the Cons

[sara1998]

I absolutely love FB. I have around 100 friends. See, the cool thing about my friends and the people I went to high school with is that we all grew up together. We've known eachother since grade school, graduated HS, and we've all kept in pretty close contact over the years. Hardly any of us "lifers" moved away. We all have a local bar that we go to on the weekends. I know any given weekend, I can walk into Scotty's, and hang out with at least 10 people I went to HS with. Our parents know all of us, and they still live in the same houses they lived in when we were in school. So, posting off the wall crap on my FB doesn't scare me at all. And then there's my kids, my friends' kids, and my kids' friends. I have the people I love on The Ledge there, and that's about it. I won't add coworkers or anyone I don't know. I have a request sitting there now, and I know I know her from HS, but I can't quite figure out who she is. So, I'm not adding her... now it's just me being nosey trying to figure out who she is.

[ragandbone]

I love FB too. Sure, there are some people on there I don't know well— people from an online singing network on mine— but there are also old friend from HS, from a scene I was in in the 80's in SF, and also old coworkers. I really like seeing the old photos people held onto, and the new photos of their lives and families. Also, my network of friends tend to post really interesting news items and articles. I have to say that I appreciate the way I can dip in to check FB and not spend too much time on it. I guess that might also be a symptom of what is wrong with it too: it can give one the illusion of connection.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by sara1998

I absolutely love FB. I have around 100 friends. See, the cool thing about my friends and the people I went to high school with is that we all grew up together. We've known eachother since grade school, graduated HS, and we've all kept in pretty close contact over the years. Hardly any of us "lifers" moved away. We all have a local bar that we go to on the weekends. I know any given weekend, I can walk into Scotty's, and hang out with at least 10 people I went to HS with. Our parents know all of us, and they still live in the same houses they lived in when we were in school. So, posting off the wall crap on my FB doesn't scare me at all. And then there's my kids, my friends' kids, and my kids' friends. I have the people I love on The Ledge there, and that's about it. I won't add coworkers or anyone I don't know. I have a request sitting there now, and I know I know her from HS, but I can't quite figure out who she is. So, I'm not adding her... now it's just me being nosey trying to figure out who she is.

You are so lucky to have that, Maria. I felt very stifled by the time I was 17 (in addition to some kind of tragic things that happened to me that year) so I couldn't wait to leave. There definitely is something to be said for having a true hometown and being able to visit your parents in the house you grew up in. *sigh* I did mention earlier in this thread that I am a very nostalgic person by nature.

By the way, David is snapping bra straps on FB.

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by jannieC

You are so lucky to have that, Maria. I felt very stifled by the time I was 17 (in addition to some kind of tragic things that happened to me that year) so I couldn't wait to leave. There definitely is something to be said for having a true hometown and being able to visit your parents in the house you grew up in. *sigh* I did mention earlier in this thread that I am a very nostalgic person by nature.

By the way, David is snapping bra straps on FB.

I just left my mom and dad's house... the one I grew up in. haha! I can never stay too long, becasue that'll always be home, and I get so sleepy sitting there.... It's just sooo comfy! Unfortunately, the neighborhood around it is falling apart, and it scares me that my folks are getting older and I want them to get out of there as soon as possible. They bought that house on January 1, 1981. I was 3.

I know Indianapolis is a tiny city compaired to a lot of cities, but there really is a hometown feel to each side of town. It saddens me to see my side going to hell though. My folks live right next door to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and there's talk within a couple of years that the Speedway is going to buy the houses on my parents block, demolish them, and run an artery road through there.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by sara1998

My folks live right next door to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and there's talk within a couple of years that the Speedway is going to buy the houses on my parents block, demolish them, and run an artery road through there.

That might be the best way to get them out of there, Maria. Then find them a more suitable neighborhood/house.

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

That might be the best way to get them out of there, Maria. Then find them a more suitable neighborhood/house.

Trust me, my mom's praying it comes sooner rather than later. It's really getting awful there. Their house is paid for, so whatever they get is pure profit. They want to move out further west than I am, out closer to the country. They're not even that old, but I just don't want anyone to see them as a target. There's all kids of crazy things that happen over there.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by sara1998

Trust me, my mom's praying it comes sooner rather than later. It's really getting awful there. Their house is paid for, so whatever they get is pure profit. They want to move out further west than I am, out closer to the country. They're not even that old, but I just don't want anyone to see them as a target. There's all kids of crazy things that happen over there.

I wonder how the neighborhood going downhill, has effected property values for them, especially in this economy?

There are good points to living out in the country, like I do(although I'm only 4 miles from town). Way less crime, especially if you're not in a neighborhood, where teens roam at night. I'll bet I could leave my house unlocked for a month, and nothing would happen(knocking wood now).

I grew up waaay in the country, and hated it with a passion. After 10 years in town though, I was READY for compromise.

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

I wonder how the neighborhood going downhill, has effected property values for them, especially in this economy?

There are good points to living out in the country, like I do(although I'm only 4 miles from town). Way less crime, especially if you're not in a neighborhood, where teens roam at night. I'll bet I could leave my house unlocked for a month, and nothing would happen(knocking wood now).

I grew up waaay in the country, and hated it with a passion. After 10 years in town though, I was READY for compromise.

The couple of years I spent in the country with my husband I absolutely loved! I'm such a city girl, and it felt nice to get away. If I have anything to do with it, I'll never live in an urban area again.

They're property values are alright.... Anything is better than nothing considering where they're at.