Facebook: The Pros and the Cons

David · #1 02-17-2010, 03:47 PM

Having just been persuaded (or rather forced practically at gunpoint) to join Facebook, I wonder what all of you think of its actual uses. What are the pros & cons? One of the pros I can understand is that it allows you to maintain at least a semblance of communication with a large circle of friends, without having to actually write to them.

But the cons? What of them? Don't viruses periodically infect all Facebook accounts? What about other security problems?

And what about psychological dependence? I'd rather be hooked on the Ledge, where we write actual sentences & carry on discussions, than on Facebook, where everything is a string of pokes & bleeps.

ButterCookie · #2 02-17-2010, 03:49 PM

Ugh, major con... fake profiles. I got a series of emails off 'Stevie' Stupid man didn't realise I could see his real name on his email address.

DefDumbandBlond · #3 02-17-2010, 03:59 PM

Ahaha Georgie I told you it wasn't really her, I just couldn't imagine Stevie sitting on Facebook all day playing Hot Chips poker or whatever that was called!

ButterCookie · #4 02-17-2010, 04:02 PM

Texas Hold 'Em. I had my doubts but after finding Debbie Harry I thought I'd be optimistic

I just wish he'd stop sending me those 'rare' demos.

petep9000 · #5 02-17-2010, 04:10 PM

A con is the various notifications from junk that inundates your account until you learn all the ways to hide them. People play all kinds of games, and if they are your friends you see the results of their games- it gets kind of annoying. You can hide them so you don't see them.
A pro is re-connecting with people you haven't had communication with in years, though this can be a con too (a lot of times, people drift apart for good reason, lol)

I thought it was fascinating communicating to people who were in grade school with me, and who I had lost contact with. Seeing their photos is a blast too.

HomerMcvie · #6 02-17-2010, 04:12 PM

David, I avoided FB for the longest time, even though Michellebunchofnumbersaftername kept after me to join. My real fear was - all of my high school friends FINDING me. I really didn't want to BE found, to tell you the truth. I mean, I just didn't want to go back, if you know what I mean. Well, I added one friend from high school, three days ago, and the f*cking thing has snowballed! God, like 20 of them have found me now. So far, I guess it's okay, but the constant messages to me, is getting on my hermit nerves!

As are the CONSTANT email notifications, that "someone has commented on someone else's picture". I mean, who gives a f*ck about that? I'm in the process of disabling the email notifications!

skcin · #7 02-17-2010, 04:48 PM

Pro: Being able to update everyone all at once about what's new with you, sharing photos without having to email 10 people & attach them, etc.

Con: People only updating their own page & not bothering to look at anyone's else's.

I'm no attention seeker, but an occasional "how are you?" or comment on a pic would be nice so I know people give a ****. I certainly try to do the same for them, because I'm actually interested in what's going on in their life. What's the point of getting back in/staying in touch if you're not going to communicate at all? Goes both ways.

Pro: Getting really quick updates on news - I usually hear about breaking news there first, esp. if I'm on a break @ work & check it quick. I became a fan of my favorite local news & I feel very well informed.

Con: All that stupid"lick my lolipop" and "hey, i just hit you with a pillow" and "I got a new cow." I don't have time for that ****.

Pro:Getting back in touch with friends you haven't seen or heard from in years.

Con:Getting back in touch with friends you haven't seen or heard from in years.

Like Homie said, sometimes there's a reason you don't talk to those people anymore.

I will ignore anyone who:
a) I don't remember
b) I didn't like way back when
c) I realize is now an ignorant douchebag (ie-racist, homophobe, preachy, etc.) and probably always was.

I don't get why people "friend" anyone & everyone they've ever had any contact with.

What's the point? To get the most "friends?" Who cares? I've ignored several ledgies too - no offense, but if I don't truly know you (like, we haven't met & hung out or at least conversed in detail apart from this board) then forget it.

MacMan · #8 02-17-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

David, I avoided FB for the longest time, even though Michellebunchofnumbersaftername kept after me to join. My real fear was - all of my high school friends FINDING me. I really didn't want to BE found, to tell you the truth. I mean, I just didn't want to go back, if you know what I mean. Well, I added one friend from high school, three days ago, and the f*cking thing has snowballed! God, like 20 of them have found me now. So far, I guess it's okay, but the constant messages to me, is getting on my hermit nerves!

As are the CONSTANT email notifications, that "someone has commented on someone else's picture". I mean, who gives a f*ck about that? I'm in the process of disabling the email notifications!

Wow! LOL This is EXACTLY how I feel!

GypsySorcerer · #9 02-17-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

David, I avoided FB for the longest time, even though Michellebunchofnumbersaftername kept after me to join. My real fear was - all of my high school friends FINDING me. I really didn't want to BE found, to tell you the truth. I mean, I just didn't want to go back, if you know what I mean. Well, I added one friend from high school, three days ago, and the f*cking thing has snowballed! God, like 20 of them have found me now. So far, I guess it's okay, but the constant messages to me, is getting on my hermit nerves!

As are the CONSTANT email notifications, that "someone has commented on someone else's picture". I mean, who gives a f*ck about that? I'm in the process of disabling the email notifications!

The high school thing is SO true. One finds you, and then they all find you. Somebody added me from middle school, and I barely remembered her. Then, she starts talking to me on chat and asks, "So, what have you been doing since middle school?"

StreetAngel95 · #10 02-17-2010, 05:16 PM

well being 14, i guess i shouldn't be one to comment, but i will!

my parents were very hesitant about me joining facebook because "all my friends were doing it"

so they let me, and i blew it. Big time. I had been cursing and posting pics and stuff, and i realized that when i get looked over for college apps and applying for a job, they have access to that stuff and i don't want them looking at it, so i discontinued the account. I have also found my life less stressful, knowing that i don't have to go home to a bunch of notifications and s*** to deal with.

and the obvious one: ANYBODY CAN PRETEND TO BE ANYBODY ON THE INTERNET! ITS ALL ANONYMOUS! So somebody who you think is an old friend may be some creeper who wants to kill you...just sayin...but this mostly pertains to younger kids, so nevermind

WildHeart69 · #11 02-17-2010, 05:57 PM

With the new updates you can block all of the Farmville and other crap updates that you dont want to see! Click on "hide" next to the post and then click on "hide (insert application name)" and then you wont see them anymore from anyone.

-Mike

MacMan · #12 02-17-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StreetAngel95

well being 14, i guess i shouldn't be one to comment, but i will!

my parents were very hesitant about me joining facebook because "all my friends were doing it"

so they let me, and i blew it. Big time. I had been cursing and posting pics and stuff, and i realized that when i get looked over for college apps and applying for a job, they have access to that stuff and i don't want them looking at it, so i discontinued the account. I have also found my life less stressful, knowing that i don't have to go home to a bunch of notifications and s*** to deal with.

and the obvious one: ANYBODY CAN PRETEND TO BE ANYBODY ON THE INTERNET! ITS ALL ANONYMOUS! So somebody who you think is an old friend may be some creeper who wants to kill you...just sayin...but this mostly pertains to younger kids, so nevermind

Valid points for all youngsters starting out.... Too bad those girls gone wild chicks didn't know about these sorts of investigations

jannieC · #13 02-17-2010, 07:28 PM

A "pro" for me is that I can make all of my information private so that if clients want to find me, they can't see anything. Honestly, I have really enjoyed Facebook. I have loved finding and reconnecting with some really old friends.

I have all of the Mafia Wars, Farmville, pillow fights, buy me a drink-pokey **** hidden, so that doesn't bother me. What does bother me is when someone adds me as a friend and then doesn't even say hello. What's up with that?

David, where are you on FB? Let's be friends!

HomerMcvie · #14 02-17-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

The high school thing is SO true. One finds you, and then they all find you. Somebody added me from middle school, and I barely remembered her. Then, she starts talking to me on chat and asks, "So, what have you been doing since middle school?"

Yep, be warned about the high school thing....once one of them finds you, they come out in droves!
I'm kind of glad to reconnect with some of them, but not all of them!

chriskisn · #15 02-17-2010, 07:37 PM

Yeah sure there are pros and cons to facebook, and personally other than keeping in touch with a couple of people I don't really care about most of it.

On an interesting and slightly scary note though, my wife's sister (who is 13) just joined facebook and after adding her as a friend I was looking at the pages of a couple of her other friends (we know some better than others). One young 13 year old girl had posted a photograph of herself in her underwear. Thankfully for her I don't know her parents or I might be making a phone call to them!