Facebook: Friend or Foe?

I am a little biased towards facebook. I have never really understood the pull of the trend. I would rather talk face to face with someone then constantly through a computer. But on the other hand, I do understand its great appeal towards keeping in touch with people who live far away. Clubs are started for school through facebook; fellow students become friends by interacting in this virtual way. There is a great deal of appeal for students. This feels like a safer environment to address someone you barely know. If you want to befriend the kid that sits next to you in Spanish, it is easier to request it through facebook than it is in class. If they deny your request in this passive environment, the rejection is less painful than it would have been face to face. Most of the time a request is accepted because a friend on facebook isn’t necessarily a friend in real life. But it is a start, a way into to someone else’s life.

This social networking trend started with myspace. I will admit I used myspace addictively for a few months. But then I lost interest. Most of the people in my generation have moved on to facebook and get on it many times a week. I am different in this respect. But I also don't really understand facebook, all of the groups and page requests. However, I suppose I don’t interact with others as much as I could. I find it weird to page through someone else’s pictures, even though they were posted with the intent for everyone to look at. It feels too personal to me to peek into these people’s lives, people I haven’t really spoken to in years, and flip through their friends and activities.