I didn’t “get” Facebook for a long time. I joined Facebook on May 7, 2007 – it’s on the timeline it’s forcing on everyone eventually, not that I’d committed the date to memory. In fact, I had forgotten I had an account (or forgot the password) and started ANOTHER profile, allegedly verboten in Zuckerland, and only recently deleted it.
Moreover, if I were required to give my Facebook password to my employer, as certain people think is OK, I’d delete the other one too, even though there is little on my page that isn’t already public.
I don’t become bent out of shape if someone unfriends me; I barely notice if someone unfollows me on Twitter, either. I’m slackjawed over how much some people obsess over it.
But Facebook is useful. Some blogs I visit make it easier to comment via Facebook. Also, I was away this past week. Did you miss me? Probably not. I blogged every day and had the posts appear on Facebook and Twitter automatically.
Moreover, I realize that if other people are using it, then I need to as well. Three examples from a 24-hour period late last month:
One niece: “Had a tooth infection last week, had to have micro-surgery on my gums… Getting the stitches taken out today!”
Another niece: “Why was someone ringing our doorbell at three in the morning and now there are 5 cop cars in the yard.” There was no follow-up, and I had to call her mother in the morning to make sure everyone was OK.
A co-worker: “I am having an allergic reaction to makeup I have worn dozens of times and my face looks like a tomato and feels like a burn. If you happen to see me, please don’t mention it. Thanks. :)” I DIDN’T, but I might have.
So, I guess, while I’m disappointed that a number of bloggers have quit writing on their blogs and have substituted Facebook, an inadequate tradeoff to my mind, I’ll follow along. It’s the only way I know how to reach quite a few people.
There are some good parts to FB – I use it as you know, still prefer blogging.
Dx
I’m bummed to see a lot of bloggers abandon long-form writing for short-burst stuff on FB and Twitter, too. But some ‘retired bloggers’ still want to write longer things, so I’ve seen this annoying thing of people using a long series of Tweets to post an essay of sorts, which makes my Twitter feed a mess and it makes it hard to trace their train of thought backwards, anyway.
Blogging, Facebook and Twitter are all social media at its best and worst. I don’t think one can really substitute one for the other. Each has a completely different purpose. I opened a fb page when the youngest daughter went to college. It was the only way to find out if she was still alive or not! I use it now mainly to keep current with Army Wife/Peanut and The Floridian.