Reflecting on our in-class discussion from Wednesday, I think that everyone brought up great, valid points about Facebook! I can see/understand the “casino analogy” in regards to the social networking site. Facebook can be similar to a casino because both can be exciting, yet "risky" places, and both do involve a hunger for money. Facebook sells users’ information to advertisers who tailor their ads to users’ individual “needs.” Which makes me wonder... is anything ever really private on Facebook...?
Also, Facebook can be a gamble at times: when you post something, how are you to know how others will react to what you said, or did, until you post it? Some people may enjoy whatever it is that you posted, while it is possible for others to be offended and have a newly-formed negative perception of you. Taking this into consideration, one might want to be careful about what he or she posts on Facebook. Also, I can only imagine the possible damage that revealing photos can do to future job prospects... I do believe that the image you create of yourself on your Facebook page can have a profound effect on how other people perceive you in real life.
Also, Facebook can be a gamble at times: when you post something, how are you to know how others will react to what you said, or did, until you post it? Some people may enjoy whatever it is that you posted, while it is possible for others to be offended and have a newly-formed negative perception of you. Taking this into consideration, one might want to be careful about what he or she posts on Facebook. Also, I can only imagine the possible damage that revealing photos can do to future job prospects... I do believe that the image you create of yourself on your Facebook page can have a profound effect on how other people perceive you in real life.
Before I had heard of the “casino analogy,” I had thought of Facebook to be like those celebrity gossip-column-type magazines you find in the check-out stands of supermarkets. Similar to how the paparazzi (and the rest of the celebrity-fandom-world) follows who Britney Spears and Justin Bieber are dating, Facebook makes it more-than-easy to follow (or “stalk”) other people’s personal lives. When people end relationships and change their “relationship statuses” on Facebook, there are even announcements to all friends via “News Feed” that the people are now single (not to mention an icon of a "broken heart" is pictured by this announcement)! I can suspect that some would probably find it at least slightly embarrassing for 500, or even 1,000, other people to know that they were dumped by their significant other, on Facebook!!
Over the past week, my idea of Facebook has changed: from being like a celebrity gossip column, or a casino, or merely a “fad,” I have now realized that Facebook is more than just any of those things: it is one of the most powerful forces of communication in today’s world (and it's probably here to stay, for a while at least!).
In fact, Facebook not only has the ability to bring people together, but most importantly, it has the ability to completely change the course of history, and political activists in Egypt have proved this.
In fact, Facebook not only has the ability to bring people together, but most importantly, it has the ability to completely change the course of history, and political activists in Egypt have proved this.
I was astounded to learn that thousands of people were able to organize meetings and band together to protest in the streets of Egypt, simply through the creation of organized online “groups” and “events” on Facebook. Who knew that one website could be so effective in connecting people and facilitating political change? Mubarak had been Egypt's president for three decades, but stepped down from his position of power after weeks of serious protests. It is possible that this would have not happened if it weren't for the use of Facebook.
Like power, and many things in life, I think that Facebook can be used for good, OR bad: it is up to the individual to decide what he or she wants to use it for!
Hey Allison! Just on thought: How is the risk with posting on Facebook any different from voicing an opinion in real life? Both can shape people's perceptions of you, good or bad. I think the only difference is the anonymity associated with being online, which may cause people to be more brash in their statements because the consequences aren't as clear-cut.
ReplyDeleteWow, that really threw me for a loop when my comment showed up in pretty cursive, lol
ReplyDeleteHey Evan! You brought up a really great point; I completely forgot to mention that as well as what you post in the online world, what you do and how you act in the real world can definitely shape how people view you as a person, too. I definitely think that like what you had said, the anonymity aspect aids in the formation of brash comments since people feel more comfortable about voicing their opinions online.
ReplyDeleteAlso, your comment has really gotten me thinking a lot more about Facebook...
I feel as though with Facebook, personal information is so much more out-in-the-open than compared to in "real life." I feel as though it makes it even faster for one to judge, make assumptions, and jump to conclusions about another person based simply on that person’s Facebook page, as opposed to when you meet that specific person for the first time in real life. In real life, all you see is that person and not a floating reel of their life’s-worth of photos, thoughts, interests, and record of past experiences. However, in the Facebook world, all of that information is presented right there in front of you for your access without the person’s knowing (since there is no way to see who exactly has been viewing your page on Facebook)! So I think that in the online world, you have to be extra-careful, since the line between private and public is fairly blurred.