“Oh hey, I've seen you on Facebook!” I've had this thought flash across my mind when I meet a lot of new people nowadays. Except I try not to voice it aloud when I meet them lest they think I'm a stalker. I may have never met you but I have seen photos of your honeymoon in Mexico, significant other or new baby. Complete strangers, this is subject to one's privacy settings, now have access to important milestones of a person's life that would normally would have been shared with only the closest of friends. Or at least people you've actually had a conversation with.
Facebook has only been around for 7 years but it has completely revolutionized how we connect to others. Remember the old days when friendship meant listening to the Spice Girls and sharing a sundae? (Okay, that's what I did in middle school but your activities may differ.) You would actually make time to see your friends because that was the best way to communicate. Of course, telephones and e-mail existed but it never had the power to perpetuate social relationships like Facebook has. Friendship can now be condensed into wall posts, comments and playing Farmville late into the night. You may have over a 1000 friends but actually talk to only a handful on a daily basis. Being someone's “friend” has come to mean a completely new thing now.
Other people would argue that Facebook has merely become yet another way to share information with your social circle. It can actually strengthen relationships due to the fastness and ease it adds to communication. It makes keeping in touch with old friends as easy as posting a smiley face on their walls, albeit how superficial it may seem. There are no more excuses to NOT keep in touch with people, unless you live in an isolated mountainside in Nepal abandoned by the internet. Many people may not have time for 20 minute conversations on the phone. Facebook allows easy yet powerful ways to reach people. The number of people you have access to has exploded; meeting someone new is not subject to chance encounters at the bookstore anymore. Facebook has dissolved communication barriers that are normally present in face to face interactions. Too shy to call that cute girl you met at a party? Just shoot her a wall post and start a casual conversation. Facebook allows you to be as anonymous or public as you want. This is a strange form of empowerment in a way and is one of the reasons why people are addicted. We are allowed options that are just not available in real life.
Facebook can be considered as one of the most powerful drugs of the last decade. Some people (aka I) cannot go to bed unless they have checked their Facebook one last time. I think of potential statuses while waiting in line. New profile pictures can involve an hour long photo shoot and editing. It has perpetuated human consciousness in an unprecedented and radical way. It will be fascinating to examine why a lot of people are addicted to the site. The influence of virtual communication on real life interaction can also be studied. Hate it or love, Facebook is here to stay.
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