Facebook: Friend or Friend Foe?

by ally ~ January 20, 2009

For better or for worse, I’m obsessed with Facebook.  I think the reason is two-fold.  One, I am nosy.  I mean, really nosy.  Almost look-inside-the-medicine-cabinet nosy.  The other reason is that I like to be connected to people.  I’m constantly checking my voicemail and email.

So when Facebook opened its doors to others besides college students, I jumped at the chance to join. Facebook is the perfect combination for me - I can be both nosy and constantly connected to my friends at the same time.  So, it was with great interest that I came across this Time Magazine article - “Does Facebook Replace Face Time, or Enhance It?”

The author’s point is that time and geography have prevented us from keeping up with certain friendships, so Facebook offers a kind of “one-stop shopping” between IM, email and regular status updates.  You can keep tabs on your friends as well as letting them know what you are up to as well.  The author theorized that she knows more about her friends now than she did pre-Facebook when she didn’t have time to email regularly or call.

I will admit that Facebook poses a uniquely interesting issue.  There are definitely Facebook friends that I would know nothing about if it weren’t for those daily updates.  On the other hand, are they really friends?  We all know that friendships ebb and flow.  The person who was your best work friend becomes just a memory when you change jobs.  People who knew our deepest secrets in high school go to college far away and build their lives separate from you.  It’s life.  I know my Facebook friends wouldn’t be the first people I called if broke up with my boyfriend, but I love being in contact with new-old friends - it adds another dimension to my social circle.  In fact, I’m seeing one of my old high school friends for the movies this week.  How we reconnected?  Facebook.

Ally Jenkins is a marketing manager for a tradeshow management company in Washington, DC.  She will not forgive you if you ignore her friend request.