Why I'm Considering Leaving Facebook
ORIGINALLY A GOOD IDEA...
I've been giving a lot of thought recently about Facebook. When I joined up I did so mainly because I wanted another way to advertise my blog. I wasn't planning to make "friends" of folks I'd never heard of before.
And, as it turns out, it has been a handy vehicle for staying in touch with distant friends and relatives.
BUT...
However, as each day passes I find it harder and harder to find enough return on my investment of time to make it worthwhile.
MAYBE...
Maybe it's because it gets harder every day to pretend some of those 179 people listed as friends on my Facebook page are actually "friends". Heck, I don't even know many of them, for goodness sake.
Maybe it's because Facebook has diluted that word - friend - to the point where it's practically meaningless.
Maybe it's because the recent changes on Facebook make me feel even more manipulated than before.
Maybe it's because I've found myself spending way, way too much time scrolling through Facebook, gleaning little snippets of peoples lives - and feeling a little like a guy hiding in your closet.
Maybe it's because I've decided that I don't REALLY want to know so much about so many people who are barely acquaintances.
Maybe it's because folks just seem to post whatever stream-of-consciousness thoughts that might float through their heads, ignoring the fact that many strangers are going to be reading them. Even worse, their boss may be reading them.
Maybe it's because I've received the amusingly inconsequential "punishment" of being "de-friended" by a couple boneheads who don't like my take on their role in local politics.
Maybe it's because of this Toyota commercial:
Or, Maybe it's just the case of an old fella not being able to keep up the pace anymore.
ZUCKERBERG WON'T MISS ME
I don't think founder Mark Zuckerberg will miss my presence on Facebook - he's too busy trying to figure out how to spend the billions of dollars Facebook is pulling in these days.
PONDERING...
So, I've decided to give Facebook a few more weeks. We're turning the old cauldron down to simmer for a few days for a little "decompression time". Comments on the blog will be slow to get posted for awhile. As we approach Halloween - maybe sooner - I'm going to decide whether I want to remain a "Facebook Friend" or not. I'll let you know...
I've been giving a lot of thought recently about Facebook. When I joined up I did so mainly because I wanted another way to advertise my blog. I wasn't planning to make "friends" of folks I'd never heard of before.And, as it turns out, it has been a handy vehicle for staying in touch with distant friends and relatives.
BUT...
However, as each day passes I find it harder and harder to find enough return on my investment of time to make it worthwhile.
MAYBE...
Maybe it's because it gets harder every day to pretend some of those 179 people listed as friends on my Facebook page are actually "friends". Heck, I don't even know many of them, for goodness sake.
Maybe it's because Facebook has diluted that word - friend - to the point where it's practically meaningless.
Maybe it's because the recent changes on Facebook make me feel even more manipulated than before.
Maybe it's because I've found myself spending way, way too much time scrolling through Facebook, gleaning little snippets of peoples lives - and feeling a little like a guy hiding in your closet.
Maybe it's because I've decided that I don't REALLY want to know so much about so many people who are barely acquaintances.
Maybe it's because folks just seem to post whatever stream-of-consciousness thoughts that might float through their heads, ignoring the fact that many strangers are going to be reading them. Even worse, their boss may be reading them.
Maybe it's because I've received the amusingly inconsequential "punishment" of being "de-friended" by a couple boneheads who don't like my take on their role in local politics.
Maybe it's because of this Toyota commercial:
Or, Maybe it's just the case of an old fella not being able to keep up the pace anymore.
ZUCKERBERG WON'T MISS ME
I don't think founder Mark Zuckerberg will miss my presence on Facebook - he's too busy trying to figure out how to spend the billions of dollars Facebook is pulling in these days.PONDERING...
So, I've decided to give Facebook a few more weeks. We're turning the old cauldron down to simmer for a few days for a little "decompression time". Comments on the blog will be slow to get posted for awhile. As we approach Halloween - maybe sooner - I'm going to decide whether I want to remain a "Facebook Friend" or not. I'll let you know...
Labels: facebook, Mark Zuckerberg
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 9/29/2011 04:55:00 PM
21 Comments:
Just checked in onto your blog, your traveling now so I assume comments are in the hopper....so far 0 comments here....but, ironically there are thirteen comments on your Facebook post.
Here's what you do:
1) De-friend anyone you don't really know. It may seem harsh but they won't even know you did it.
2) Use the Unsubscribe from the people who post meaningless stuff you'd rather not see all day. I've done this and it made Facebook better.
I'm annoyed right now with Facebook too, but I enjoy seeing what others post espeically pictures. It's hard to stay in touch with everyone and Facebook helps a little with that. I also no longer accept friendships request from people I have never actually met.
So West attacks people he doesn't agree with on a daily basis on this blog and then wonders why people de-friend him on Facebook.
Really, Geoff, really??
Barry P....... go to h3ll, or the CM Press, which ever is closer. Same place in my opinion.
This is where the "sane" people get together to discuss our city,.........you have such an enormous majority, than surely you have some other place on the world wide web, to share your views with others that think like you. Or DON"T think as applies in your particular case.
Geoff attacks policies, and public behavior displayed by our elected or un-elected city leaders. Don't blame the messenger if these "leaders" are found sorely lacking.
In the years I've followed this blog, I have had more than my share of disagreements with the opinions expressed here.
Many by the ol' potstirrer hisself.
That has never led me to attack or berate someone as mean or not worthy of having an opinion.
Today, that changed........I'm sick of listening to you bastards.......I repeat ...Barry P. Go to H3ll.
Facebook was created for attention whores. Seeing that most women suffer from low self esteem, and constantly crave attention, they love posting pictures of themselves in bikinis, etc. The constant "checking in" to places or the "driving to work" posts are just silly.
I love your blog Geoff and I think it's great. And Barry, youre lucky he doesn't just delete your replies. Geoff does keep it real on here and allow posts from all sides.
Ditch the facebook if you don't care to see every little detail of someones day. I believe social media has created a disconnection amongst friends. If everyone is on facebook and we can see everything that's going on, there's no need for the personal time to meet in person and spend time with that person.
I will close with this. There was a man who had 472 friends on facebook. One day he thought it would be fun to invite them all for drinks at a bar. That night, he waited and waited at the bar. In the end, only 1 "friend" showed up.
Get off the computer, go outside and make a personal connection!
I deactivated my Facebook account a few weeks ago. Whenever I looked at my own page I saw a jillion posts that said nothing worth my time. With a cell phone and e-mail, I have no trouble staying in touch with everyone I want to be in touch with. I can send and receive photographs and messages that interest me, and I don't need to waste my time with junk. I don't miss Facebook at all.
"Facebook is kinda like a skidmark in the toilet. You can't stop looking at it, and you just want it to go away!"
gericault claims that he has never attacked anybody previously? he has long been known as the king of insults. wake up dude, even those on your side think you are a big liability for your quick trigger.
Just spoke (not on facebook) to another Costa Mesa republican who just defected from the party because of the CM city councils' actions. It must be hard to maintain a majority when people keep leaving and vowing to never vote r again...
And btw facebook brings out the inner and sometimes not so inner narcissist in most people. It is disgusting. Also, if I didn't like you way back in high school I am not going to be your friend now on facebook, especially if you take your own photo in the mirror or use a glamour shot as your profile pic. No thanks.
- 1 more,
For every Republican who leaves the party, there is a Democrat being added. I am a prime example.
It takes a lot of guts to do what has to be done in this financial climate. The Costa Mesa city council (minus Leece) certainly has earned my respect, and my vote.
It's a shame that you don't have the business background to understand what has to be done to survive. For instance, if you lose your income are you going to continue partying and shopping at Macy's? I don't think so.
In the end, I'm certain you will see the wisdom of this council, and you will notice that the voting deck has simply been reshuffled.
@+1
Yeah we should all go take business lessons from the councilmen on city council. Let's see...
Piggy: Drive all of your businesses into the ground and file bk.
Messy: Help Piggy drive all of his businesses I to the ground. He also skilled in paint jobs with red spray paint. His son is a wonderful paint remover. Mmm hmm.
Midget skirt wearer: Drives bars into the ground with promises of a corner location at the fairgrounds. Oops. He is also skilled in brick throwing and coincidentally losing the video footage.
The Beave: Will teach you how to make full time money doing less than a quarter if the work. When does he show up?
+1: There you go making hasty assumptions, based on facts not in evidence. How do you know what -1 business background is? How are you so certain that this council is on the money. I'm not. I wanted to be, but I'm not.
It's insidious. It creeps in little by little. First the full assault on the municipal employees. Might sme if it ake sense? sure, but not the execution of it.
It's no surprise that Riggy and his clique are solidly behind Banning Ranch or any other development project. Whther it's right for this city or not. It's what they do. They're developers, and that's OK as long as your political motivation is not mixed with what motivates you personally (read financially).
To make Banning Ranch happen, the 19th Street bridge project needs to happen. Didn't I just read that Righeimer was a party to those discussions on behalf of the City?
The appearance of it all just seems wrong. There's the old saying "follow the money." Well, do that and follow the motivation for any of this too.
I agree with "other mike".
These guys on council can't be as blatant as the ones from Bell, but they aren't too far behind behind the scenes. With a staff full of YesMen either contracted or city employee, these guys have got their deck stacked and ready to go down. When you see these guys talking at a restaurant, eating and drinking magnum size wines, theyre not having dinner, it's a crime scene!
A wise once told me that if you give a guy enough rope, he'll hang himself. These guys are bound to screw up sooner or later. It's either that or the attorney general is patiently waiting...
I believe the fairgrounds investigation will be eye opening and might lead to some charges. It will definitely shed light on how we almost lost our fairgrounds.
As to old poor city and employees, my heart goes them. Keep your heads up and fight another 14 months!
Long Rope, the fairgrounds has already been investigated, several times. There was absolutely no evidence of any wrong doing.
I suggest you don't hold your breath. Better yet, get over it.
Long Rope, what fairgrounds investigation?
Review your facts +1. Republicans are not making gains in California, they are losing ground. But keep telling yourself that is not the case. Maybe, if you yell it loudly, it will make it more believable; that is how our councilmen operate after all.
+1 do you have any more personal attacks to levy at me? I can guarantee I have been more successful in business than the councilmen combined so you will need to find another avenue of attack.
+2 ... you are obviously a city employee. They are the ONLY people making any money these days. Hence, the problem!
And, don't accuse me of being jealous. It's MY money they are receiving. I am beyond jealous, ... more like enraged.
You go Costa Mesa City Council!!!
@Harold and the rest of you idiots that support the Costa Mesa Clowns aka the Fab 4.
Wake up. Get smart. These guys are only interested in themselves not any of us real residents. I live in Mesa Verde and I am DISCUSTED by their behavior. They are not making good choices using MY money at a rate of $1000 an hour in lawyer fees and the potential for unknown possible millions loss from lawsuits! I don't care who you blame for that, they are RESPONSIBLE for their actions and approving the expense.
There is a right way and a wrong way to do things and conduct business. THEY ARE WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!
I am another lifetime Republican who will be becoming an Independent thanks to the unprofessionalism, unethical and possible illegal actions of the 4 IDIOTS on the city council.
They need to stop before it bankrupts OUR city.
Where does it say "jealous" in my comment? Clearly you made that up Harold, just like the councilmen make up their facts as well. And I must be a city employee because they are the only ones doing well these days? Are you seriously that delusional? I guess your logic is that anyone who doesn't agree with you must be a city employee. Sorry dude but I think the many residents posting on this blog have proved that hypothesis to be repeatedly wrong.
Give me your address and I will send you 200 feet of foil to protect your house from the voices in your head. I hear foil gives you special powers too.
Yeah, City Council, you go...away.
You've done quite enough.
That'll do.
The approach I take is to have a minimal facebook presence, just enough to make me eligible to comment on sites, like the Pilot, that require it.
Even so, facebook gets in my face just about every day with emails listing “friend requests.” Some I know, and some I don’t know. I already feel like a baleen whale plowing all day through oceans of information. I don’t really need any more krill.
I have to draw the line somewhere, and facebook is a good place.
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