Dear Facebook,
I have been a member of your network for two years, and our relationship has grown ever stronger as my case of Senioritis escalates. You are my ultimate procrastinating tool; I can instant chat, see what new pictures have been added since the last time I logged in (five minutes ago), what all my friends are saying to each other, or even their friends that I am not friends with. But as much as I love you, I have some confessions to make.
Since your creation in 2004, millions have flocked to you. But I know your secret. Beneath your simple blueand-white layout, there are endless amounts of applications, invitations and other odds and ends that I want no part of. I don’t really want to become a fan of “pizza,” or become a member of the “I Wonder How Fast I Can Find 1,000,000 People Who Hate Hitler” group.
With Facebook, there is no privacy. When someone breaks up with their boyfriend or girlfriend, a broken-heart icon is displayed with a box for people to comment on it. I find it funny when people that don’t even know the person comments “If you need to, we can talk anytime — you know that.”
Congratulations Facebook, you have transformed another mode of communication into a busy, seizure-inducing device full of extraneous information. Bells and whistles have been added to all technology, phones, music devices … I can hardly blame you for succumbing to the will of the public. But it’s the extras that take away from the main function. Facebook is meant for networking and communicating with people across the world. While this is a great way to get in touch with people, with Facebook, users are always “plugged in.” People you would never normally speak to are now instantly accessible. You have contributed even more to a society that is afraid to be alone.
When browsing through my 446 friends, every so often I stumble across a face I do not recognize. I don’t remember requesting to be their friend … did they request me? And why did I accept? Sometimes there are so many extra things to filter through, I wonder if I just accept because I don’t have time to investigate who this “friend” of mine is.
However you do have redeeming features that allow me to overlook your faults. Some apps and invites are for legitimate causes like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and promoting voting in the election, and for this, I commend you. Although I rant about your flaws, I love logging in to catch up on the latest gossip, keep in touch with friends across the country and find out who is dating. I am very much addicted to you. I know deep down that I will never leave you. That is, until something better comes along, then I might replace you.
Love,
Elsa
Elsa Watland is an Inglemoor High senior.
