Facebook is Methadone for MySpace Addicts
Okay, so sue me. I wrote a headline that I knew would grab people’s attention. If you’ve been paying attention, that is a tactic that I recommend fairly regularly.
In actual fact, my clever little headline is a misnomer. Pardon the comparison to illegal street drugs, but if MySpace were cocaine, then Facebook would be crack. Which is to say that it is much more addictive, and has caused a epidemic of dependency. You’ll pardon the hyperbole as well of course, but ask any Facebook user and they’ll tell you; once you start, you’re hooked.
I’ve already touched upon why this is, but as the weeks and now months have rolled by since I joined (at Lindsey’s rather insistent request) I have realized that Facebook deserves the spotlight yet again. Because even though I have expressed surprise over the number of people that I have reconnected with through Facebook, my surprise has evolved to all-out awe; I simply can’t believe the people I’ve stumbled across.
I’ve said it before and I will repeat it now: The true measure of an online social network is in its users. MySpace had its time in the sun (before the spammers polluted it. Side note: MySpacer’s are still getting hacked all the time, too. Here’s how to prevent it, courtesy of Rob) but even then, when I got a friend request (from someone I actually knew) on MySpace, I half-expected to receive it.
On Facebook, all bets are off.
In the interest of protecting identities (as Facebook does from non-members) I will be vague, but since joining I have “connected” with: 7 cousins, five clients, 15 or so fellow bloggers, 14 high school mates, two fellow members of a teen youth group, nine friends from middle school, a handful I’ve known since kindergarten, two siblings, one former next-door neighbor and my Mom. And that’s just to name a few.
Perhaps the best part about Facebook (right this minute) is that so far it is still just a private party where all the cool kids have shown up. The “marketers without permission” have yet to storm the gates en masse and fill our inboxes with stuff we don’t care about. And for now, it’s a whole lot of fun.
So heavily-used is Facebook that I now write my headlines (and indeed my posts) with special attention paid to the fact that they will be imported into my Facebook newsfeed. Ironically, most won’t ever make the connection that this little blurb was published elsewhere on the web, but somehow just knowing that I have an even closer bond (I know many of them personally) with my readership, makes writing this all that much more fun.
So if you haven’t tried Facebook, maybe you should give it a go. I’m sure there’s a network or a group of like-minded folks just waiting to add you, tag you and let you join in on all of the fun.
What do you love or hate about Facebook? What would like to see changed? Are there other networks we should hear about? Ning? Virb? Speak your mind in the comments.
Nothing would make me happier.
April 18th, 2007 at 6:02 am
[…] Ivan wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptPardon the comparison to illegal street drugs, but if MySpace were cocaine, then Facebook would be crack. Which is to say that it is much more addictive, and has caused a epidemic of dependency. You’ll pardon the hyperbole as well of … […]
April 18th, 2007 at 6:59 am
[…] clouds z wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptPardon the comparison to illegal street drugs, but if MySpace were cocaine, then Facebook would be crack. Which is to say that it is much more addictive, and has caused a epidemic of dependency. You’ll pardon the hyperbole as well of … […]
April 18th, 2007 at 10:33 am
I’m pretty sure the average GPA of our nation went down after the release of Facebook. One thing that has yet to come around is the ripple effects of Facebook. For instance, in Freakonomics it talks about how the large drop in the crime rate in the early 90’s was attributed to the legalization of abortion…..
It’s my belief that we are not going to have one qualified political candidate in about 30 years. You know some reporter is going to dig up all kinds of pictures of each candidate engaging in “questionable” activities. Have you seen some pictures people put up? They are just begging for political suicide…
April 18th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
I’m chuckling as I read that Andy; you’re absolutely right.
In a recent post I talked about proceeding with caution in that respect…but I too am guilty of allowing less-than-flattering photos escape into the ether of cyberspace- it’s all just too much fun really.
Less-than-flattering is my limit though, and I have no political aspirations (beyond strata council perhaps, and maybe one day PTA).
April 19th, 2007 at 12:36 am
I’m a total addict too Jords - it must be noted. I deleted off crappy MySpace a couple of weeks ago and it was a pretty liberating experience I have to tell you. After making the switch to Facebook and now VIRB also, I’m noticing a HUGE swing away from MySpace which I predicted some time ago, around the same time they were acquired by News Ltd.
I’d insert a whole lot of dribble here praising the ongoing development of VIRB into a potential MySpace killer, but the lovely Miss Justine put it best when she Blogged:
April 19th, 2007 at 1:22 am
[…] Ok, so I just stole my buddy Jordan’s latest Blog entry headline, but I don’t think the addiction my circle of friends are experiencing right now (at least the Canadian based ones anyway) can be summed up any better. […]
April 19th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
It is soooo addicting. I’ve pulled out yearbooks, re-connected with old friends. Plus new friends, blogger friends;) and so on. I never did do the myspace thing, not sure why. But I find FaceBook so easy to use.
April 23rd, 2007 at 1:45 am
Awesome post, Jordan. So fun what a huge trend Facebook is. I keep finding more and more uses for keeping in touch with people… I, too, have found that long lost friend from grade 5, that ex boyfriend I never talk to, those cousins I hardly see, and all those high school mates… it’s like a mini reunion!
This weekend I was at a squash tournament in Victoria, meeting all kinds of new people. I’ve now added more than 1/2 of my new “friends” on facebook (yes, they were all already into it), posted and tagged photos… such a great way to stay in touch without really having to actively stay in touch, find out who’s going to which tournament next, etc.
The reason that your post “hit home” was that I was sitting with a few people at dinner last night, and the words “crackbook” were said more than once. So true!
April 23rd, 2007 at 12:41 pm
And of course, since you added your photos to Facebook, I have already seen them!
Last night three of my oldest friends in the world found me and added me. It’s really amazing how many people use it.
May 31st, 2007 at 5:38 am
It’s not who you know, it’s what’s influenced you!
Continuing with your analogy Jordan..
Apparently, treatment for dependence depends upon the drug being withdrawn from and often includes administration of another drug, especially for substances that can be dangerous when abruptly discontinued!! - My suggested antidote, http://www.FindLikeMinds.com
When you need a break from connecting with people you already know, try connecting with someone based on what’s influenced them in their life. Then use it to see how well you really know your existing friends - I guarantee with a FindLikeMinds account you’d discover something you didn’t know about someone you connected with on any of the other social networks!
A word of caution - Using FindLikeMinds.com may turn out to be more addictive, rewarding & inspiring than other social networks!
Rob.