Facebook: The Pros and the Cons

[David]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?"

[holidayroad]

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!

That's precisely why I don't want anything to do with Facebook. My husband signed up and has a ton of high school friends now wanting to 'friend' him. He's okay with that, but I wouldn't be. Like you, I want to leave those years way behind. I had a lot of people in school treat me like dirt and I don't need that in my life. I'm okay with who I am and I don't need others telling me that I'm not what they think I should be.

[DefDumbandBlond]

Originally Posted by ButterCookie

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.

Ha yeah, 'rare' and you already had it.

Woo-hoo Debbie! & it only took us 6 months for her to accept us

[DefDumbandBlond]

The only thing that comes to mind that really irritates me about Facebook is random people adding me, like nobody I've ever come across in my life. I don't really add just anyone anymore unless we have more than a few friends in common, or if it's someone off forums that I post on.

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by David

Having just been persuaded (or rather forced practically at gunpoint) to join Facebook.

David I just wanted to say everytime I've read the title of this thread
I do a double take, and think it's about The Pros And Cons Of Hitchhiking.