Facebook

Where do I even begin? My shrewd opinion on the ever increasingly popular device known as Facebook is about to be revealed.

Facebook is a social networking device which allows people all over the world to keep in contact with long lost friends as well as current friends. This can be done through writing inbox messages, posts as well as using the instant messaging device. Photos can be examined and commented on and games such as Mob Wars can be played between groups of friends. Not only does Facebook allow access into your friends’ lives, but knowing all the scandal which surrounds you before being told about it is priceless. Personally I think Facebook is absolutely fantastic! Sadly not every first year agrees.

The reason many students do not agree with my opinion that Facebook is something extraordinary comes from the notion of procrastination. I however believe that Facebook is a brilliant form of procrastination. Instead of working I can look at what is going on in my friends’ lives while thinking I am doing something constructive. The problem arises when people do not finish their work due to this excessive procrastination. Facebook becomes addictive I would be the first to tell you. Thus I believe that while Facebook is a skilful device for procrastination all students should find the balance between ‘Facebooking’ and working.

Another celebrated reason for the usage of Facebook is ‘stalking’. There is no better way to find out if the boy or girl you like likes you back or sadly may be in a relationship. However there is an upside if it is discovered that they are in a relationship as this enables people to carry on with their lives and not waste any more time thinking about what might have been or what might not have been.

Facebook provides people with a voyeuristic quality as it allows individuals to gain full knowledge of all different aspects of people’s lives. Some members of Facebook do not block their profiles and thus anyone from anywhere is able to see what is happening in their lives without even being their ‘friend’. This in turn can lead to problems as people may misuse this to defame or victimise certain people if they do not agree with aspects of their life. This can therefore also result in hate speech as people start to develop ‘hate groups’ such as the "I hate Lindsay Lohan" group.

Facebook can be used to make situations less formal and impersonal. Instead of asking someone for their number or going to visit them, one can simply just know their name and add them as a friend on Facebook. Being at Rhodes this complicates things even more. As Rhodes is such a ‘small’ place people hesitate to ask each other for their numbers as they assume that they will bump into each other around campus. With Facebook now in the picture it often completely illuminates the need for number asking.

Although Facebook has both pros and cons, I still believe that it is absolutely fantastic as it enables me to keep up to date with my friends back home at no cost. (And yes of course it also enables me to procrastinate with ‘good’ reason.)