Facebook: A Social Gathering for the ADHD Generation
For the past year, I have resisted the temptation to join the online web of people and faces from my past and present. I stood strong through the interesting photos that I have heard about of parties, gatherings, and other events. I stood strong through the avid talk of wall-to-wall posting. I even stood strong knowing that there were social events being planned specifically through Facebook.
Until two days ago.
At last, I broke. I gave in. I caved. I, Natalie J. Armstrong, have thrown in the towel and joined the Facebook community. And, I love it.
There is a strangely addictive quality to having people (even people you see everyday) write on your wall, comment on your pictures, and join groups. Instead of talking to "real people" over the past few days, I have had my eyes glued to this ridiculous computer and to a wall of virtual representations of my friends.
Now, the benefits of F-book are that some people I haven't seen in quite awhile or can't see because they live so friggin' far away are able to get in touch with me and me with them. Love it. Great idea.
However, there are a lot of them, and my day needs to be divided between real people and virtual(and rarely seen) people. So, thoughts on not being addicted to Facebook: seriously, don't join to begin with, but if you cave like me, don't waste your hours on it, find a happy medium. Live in the real world as much as you can, and enjoy catching up with Facebook friends during your spare moments not neglecting real life to do so.
I'm curious though, why F-book is so interesting to people; I mean, yes there is the obvious, connecting with people from your past, getting to know some people that live far away better, but I think there is something else. Similar to the MSN, IM, ICQ phenomena, F-book allows people to interact behind the guise of a computer. Posting photos and leaving ridiculous (and sometimes very out-of-character) comments is very easy. It allows the introverts to be expressive without fear of embarrassment. F-book allows everyone to open their lives no matter how shy they may be in an actual face-to-face conversation.
Why do I love F-book? I haven't a clue. I could just say, I have an addictive personality that can't shake something like this all that quickly, but that may not be the truth. I love it because I'm a social person and it is just another way to interact with people. It is easy. It requires little effort. It is a social gathering for the ADHD generation.
That's why we love it.
Natalie J. on January 24, 2008
Thanks Beki. I appreciate the comment. I hope to clear up that I make the ADHD reference in regards to how our society (our generation) jumps from one thing to the next, with a shorter attention span, and on top of that loves the ease of a fast-food style of social interaction. I didn't mean to offend the true ADHD-ers out there. Also, obsessive or addictive, I think the qualities are similar. Our culture gets addicted to many things (I know I do): the daily need for social interaction may be one, but Starbucks, celeb gossip, or a double bacon cheeseburger may be the drug of choice for others.