Tag Archives: facebook

Let My Chaos Guide You

Remember how I humbly suggested that the tendency of social apps to turn our slightest activities into a publicly viewable journal tape was, perhaps, not the best idea? Well, I’ve been thinking about Facebook’s Timeline feature, lately. I mean, while it only seems fair to let your friends have access to the same information that online advertisers are willing to pay big bucks for, I just can’t imagine that they’ll find much use for it, short of picking up plenty of fodder to embarrass you with later. But I have heard it mooted that this new and extremely conspicuous form of media consumption may actually serve as a kind of recommendation and review system, that will hip your clueless friends to neato things that they otherwise might have missed, like cat videos and Abba.

So, maybe it’s great after all!

I should mention that I am terrible at recommending things to people. I mean, I know what I like, but I have no idea what might turn anyone else’s crank, so what’s the point in taking all the risks that recommendation entails? I encouraged a friend of mine to play Portal, once. I though it was a safe bet, but he still hasn’t forgiven me for that. However, the moment it became unavoidably clear that some otherwise reasonable grown men were going home at night, putting their feet up, and watching an animated pony show, was the same moment I gave up on trying to advise others what I think worthwhile entertainment is.

Maybe I’ve been going about it all wrong. Instead of making carefully thought out suggestions to people about the things I think they’ll like, perhaps I should be leading by example. Think of it as the “baby food” method: It’s good, really! Look, see–daddy likes it!

Are you lost, confused, completely unable to decide what you should watch, read, or listen to? Check my timeline, dear minions–I mean friends–and I will guide you with my meanderings. Let my desultory web habits mold and shape your taste.

What’s that? No, I haven’t really looked at your timeline. Well, I’ve been busy, you see. You’d know that if you’d been looking at mine. Oh, you’re busy, too? Well, what are the odds?

Everyday I Hate The Book

So, some study has determined that people hate Facebook more than even things like banks and utility companies. Which is interesting to me, because banks and utilities are businesses that most of us cannot avoid, which is not a category that I’d have placed Facebook. (I, for example, avoid it almost every day.)

Though it would be a mistake to generalize from a single study of this time, I can’t help but think that Facebook has become a necessary evil that few people like, but are nevertheless forced to deal with. But why? Social pressure, perhaps?

Playing To The Audience

“But the way Facebook works, everyone on your list has the same claim on your attention. So if I made a joke that had a ten-year-history in my family, someone whom I had never met, and who could arguably be the friend of an old acquaintance of a neighbor of a cousin, made a comment about not getting it. It became necessary to explain the joke, which took away some of its humor. Or if I posted a link to an article, along with a line that I thought was clearly sarcastic, someone took it literally.” {From Laila Lalami}

I think that this is a good example of how something that seems so natural in real life can turn into a complex problem online. I mean, we all alter what we say and the way we act depending on who it is that we’re talking to, don’t we? For example:  If my mother were to beat me in a game of chess, I would not playfully call her a rotten bastard, like I might do if I were speaking with a friend.

The Spy Who Friended Me

“The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s FOIA request has revealed government memos encouraging agents to befriend people on a variety of social networks, to take advantage of their readiness to share — and to spy on them.” {From Slashdot}

I know that this might be an unpopular opinion, but: The Internet is making our brains fall out, apparently. Related: If FBI agents are on Facebook, does that mean that they’re leaking private data all over the place, like everybody else?

Facebook Ex Mortis

“One and a half million Facebook users die each year. Twitter faces a similar mortality rate. It’s a growing problem for the social-networking sites – and often even more so for the relatives left behind.” { from PC Pro , via Slashdot }

This is your daily reminder that when you die, other people will have to clean up your shit, so for heaven’s sake, be tidy.