Facebook: A Tragedy

Facebook is for the heart, not the brain.  It’s Cheetos, it’s sitcom tv, it’s Nintendo, it’s American Idol.  We like it because we don’t have to think too hard—we just enjoy it using as little brainpower as possible.

Facebook is still mostly for the under-25 crowd.  Almost 50% of all Americans between 18-24 now have their own page.  Not to stereotype that group, but here I go anyway: it has to be cool; it has to be user-friendly; and most importantly--it has to be an expression of their individuality. But aye…there’s the rub?.

Early Facebook experiences tend to be like new love.  You found your friends, your favorite co-workers, some old high school and college friends and all was well…just pure, innocent fun.

But the course of true love never runs true.  Soon, your boss can see your page, and your aunt, and that new client you just landed.  And now it’s complicated. 

“Can I still say that on my wall?” “Who might see this photo?” “Will the language in this song I posted offend someone?” Suddenly, you’re thinking too much about every addition to your page, and the anonymity of Twitter is looking better every day.  What you loved about Facebook is now burdened by complexity.

All the world’s a stage, and social media are merely players.  It’s only a matter of time before Facebook becomes too big and too complex to not be forced to exit the scene.