Facebook madness?

My first reaction is often, why don't you people live your life instead of posting pictures of it constantly?
But then I think, posting is the whole point of Facebook. If people don't post, nothing happens. You get to read ads now instead of communicating.
 

FB is like any online site. You have to be judicious in the use. It’s up to you what you get out of it.

A friend from over 20 years ago found me recently. We had a nice chat in Private Messaging.

There’re local groups that have the latest info, good or bad. There’re are also local groups that help others.

I’ve joined groups for medical info. As soon as I spot a scammer trying to sell something, I report them. It helps the mods.
 
I’ve never had a Facebook account but my Mom did and enjoyed it. She no longer cares to engage with it.

I have kept the account but use it differently from how she did. I use it to follow the accounts of local community organizations, businesses, government, etc. I follow our local library, museums, county/state parks, police, some local photographers, a few restaurants. I don’t have much interest in the Friends aspect of Facebook.

Facebook keeps me up with local happenings and helps me feel connected to my community.
It’s like a modern day Town Cryer. 😄
 

It sounds like everyone here who doesn't like it doesn't use it. It really isn't much different than posting here or any other forum. If you don't want the ads, then don't use the newsfeed. Just post on your timeline or go directly to your friend's timeline. I find it a better way to stay in contact with my family and friends (including online friends) than a telephone (hate that device!). Every day I am talking to them not waiting to see them sometime in the future which never happens.
 
For some, yes it is. And it is highly possible that they are not as happy as their FB page would want others to believe. It can take a lot of time posting that stuff so why are they not using that time to interact with the people they state they care so much about. A few pictures of a big even, sure. But it gets out of hand.

Also people posting negative stuff. I heard of this after a co-worker was fired. I wasn't facebook friends with them but other employees were and were talking about the inappropriate posts.

I have the account, rarely use it. Haven't posted a picture of one of my cats in ages. I will PM a couple of people here and there including a current co-worker. She's about the only person at work I really trust.
 
I've never enjoyed taking photos, or having my photo taken. So that part doesn't appeal.

As for sharing one's boring life ... That's one of the reasons I keep my phone ringer turned off. I got tired of hearing what people were eating and what the dog had in his fur.

Years ago, someone told me she "loathed" Facebook. I figured she had a reason, so I never joined. It bothers me that some community information is available only on FB, but I manage.
I too keep my phone on silent. I don't wish to know the trivia of others and I don't think I do anything that could possibly interest anyone else.
 
The question is - why? Is it a collective madness?
Facebook, like all online media is what you make it to be. Facebook is really an interactive media, and has it's AI that checks what you seem to be interested in, and tries to serve you more. The user can fix that.

Many people are victimized by the "fear and outrage" news media and get all upset and emotionally imbalanced. But that isn't interactive per se, one needs to just abstain from that special form of induced insanity.
 
I know people whose every moment is recorded on Facebook. One woman, whose small children are so trained, they smile and pause on cue constantly. Another has just married and I kid you not, every single aspect is recorded on photos and videos - pre-wedding preps, event itself, and endless reams of pics of the honeymoon hotel in an exotic far off island. Others seem to travel and dine in style virtually continually. Still others have ordinary lives but present them as somehow extraordinary. Usually these people have hundreds even thousands of 'friends'.

The question is - why? Is it a collective madness?

I used to do some of this, on a modest level, but I got fed up of having to stop and take pics and write something remotely witty. It distracted from actually living and experiencing life. So now I rarely post anything. I assume I am really not very interesting and I feel no need to impress anyone.
I must say, I am relieved to just be quite a private person who enjoys the company of close friends without the urge to photograph myself doing so! For an invisible audience of 'friends'.
You talk of "collective madness." I think you are right. As they say, "monkey see, monkey do." The collective madness that I see everyday are the young people (and some old buggers too) walking around starring at their smartphones. I believe the word is "addiction." It is mass addiction and it's a terrible thing that is happening to the human race. I have an iphone too. It sits all day on my kitchen counter. I look at it maybe 20 minutes each day. You see I have a life with many hobbies and things to do.
 
People's need to communicate.

You talk of "collective madness." I think you are right. As they say, "monkey see, monkey do." The collective madness that I see everyday are the young people (and some old buggers too) walking around starring at their smartphones. I believe the word is "addiction." It is mass addiction and it's a terrible thing that is happening to the human race. I have an iphone too. It sits all day on my kitchen counter. I look at it maybe 20 minutes each day. You see I have a life with many hobbies and things to do.
Yes it's addiction. Also so sad, I see mum's pushing kids or walking dogs but eyes on phone. Couples sitting side by side, each on their phone.
 
I joined FB years ago to keep an eye on my grandsons. They were young and I worried about them. They are grown up now and too busy to be on FB but I still check in often. I have benefited by getting to meet cousins I didn't know I had . I enjoy FB.
same here sassy ..
 
I piggy back onto it using my son's account.

I've enjoyed the pictures of friends we've lost connections to.

While I'm with our son for a week will talk with him about setting up an account .
Would like to use the Marketplace to sell some stuff.
 


Back
Top