Ironically, I first saw this video on Facebook, where a friend posted it. And I have to say, for a guy telling me he’s happier without the social site, he sure seems sad, except for the occasional sarcastic smile. But he does bring up some good points. None of us have 800+ friends, and we shouldn’t create a social hierarchy where those who do win. For many people, Facebook is a popularity contest, just like student council elections in high school. For others, it’s a way to keep up with the Joneses, and just hope that your life is better than someone else’s. I’m definitely guilty of the latter. And then of course there are the annoying “friends” who tell you what they had to eat for breakfast, complain endlessly about their horrible lives, and send you a million Farmville requests. The good news with these friends is you can hide them from your feed, and even hide obnoxious applications.
But before you deactivate your account, remember why you check it in the first place. I have a lot of fun on Facebook, because I have it set up so I only see content from friends who contribute something meaningful or entertaining. And I keep my friend count down – new, real-life friends are welcome additions; nosy high school acquaintances are not. But just because other people treat Facebook like an ego booster, doesn’t mean you have to. Enjoy the connections you’ve already made, and remember: Facebook isn’t real-life, but it can help start real conversations.
