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I survived Facebook suicide
Posted by: Bianca Capazorio on Jul 21, 2010
In my life, I have belonged to three social networks. My Multiply page probably still exists somewhere out there in the ether but I have no idea where. I used to have a Facebook account. I currently have a slightly neglected Twitter account, which I really only have because I'm a journalist and I should.
Ages and ages ago I closed my Facebook account. Before it was even something people were talking about. There were a few reasons I did it.
Firstly, it was getting virus-y. And I got that virus and it took me days to wipe it off my computer. It was a really trixy virus to remove.
Secondly, I was bored. I had my fun with it when it first started, but after you've asked all the people you've reconnected with what they're up to now, it kind of loses its appeal. Of course, this was before the days of Farmville...
Thirdly, and most importantly, I am not a fan of the way Facebook alters social interactions. That whole person sitting with a crowd of friends and facebooking on their phone thing terrifies me. And it's not just Facebook, Mxit has the same effect. I think anyone who can ignore the real, flesh-and-blood people around them for some cyber folks is weird.
And so one day, I put up a message saying this is my email address. If you want to stay in contact with me, use it. And you know what? About five people of the hundred-odd friends I had on Facebook actually still keep in touch. I may not have so many "friends" anymore, but the communication is better. We write long emails. Sometimes we phone and have actual conversations. I would chose those five emails over 10 000 wall posts any day.
Do I miss Facebook? No. I once needed to use it for work purposes but I sent a message using a colleague's Facebook account. I could probably do with the birthday reminders, but again, I feel better that I actually remember important people's birthdays rather than sending them a stupid Facebook message.
But apparently, I am one of only a few people who have decided to do away with Facebook. Newsweek reported that Facebook will reach its 500 millionth user sometime this week. 500 million people...that's like all the people in the European Union. Or just under half the people in China.
If you're looking for some excuses to cancel your Facebook (or any social network really) account-read this piece in Newsweek about 10 ways Facebook can ruin your life:
www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-human-condition/2010/07/20/10-ways-facebook-can-ruin-your-life.html
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