There are “friends” and then there are Facebook “friends.”
The social networking website that has been so much in the news lately for its stock offering that essentially fell flat on its face seems to be facing other problems.
Lost advertising revenues are part of what helped Facebook open amongst so much hype at $38 per share and close a month later at $28.
But Facebook appears to be somewhat unpopular with the general public too with unwanted commentary and personal posts presented amongst the general news, photos and info from family and friends.
A recent survey indicated as much noting a good one-third of Facebook users were dissatisfied with the product. And some Cheney Free Press staffers were no exception.
The unhappiness seemed to center around Facebook's “friends” taking liberties with online posts.
Sharing information that is personal in nature, or spewing mean and vitriolic thoughts and views on politics, were the big objections to what has otherwise been largely a positive and unique way to stay in touch.
Honestly, one must ask would these people really say things they post online to a person's face? Would people send the same messages, secrets or opinions if they were face-to-face with “friends” in a room, or across the dining room table?
Probably not.
A recent news story on social networks spoke exactly to the question of online etiquette. Where does one draw the line when sharing personal information?
Of course there seems to be a good side to social networking and the connectivity it provides. It is estimated that fully 500 million people worldwide use Facebook. Some like to think of that number as being the third largest nation on Earth.
Facebook is families connecting with families with news, photos and tons of things fun. Facebook is real friends connecting with long-lost classmates and catching up on the years and miles between them. Facebook is a means for businesses to promote themselves or any number of other ways to connect with customers and constituents.
But as we've discovered, many would agree they dislike the idea of being force fed viewpoints online just as they tend to not appreciate hearing it live.
So where does the responsibility lie? Is it incumbent on a person whose space is being invaded to either deactivate their account or block offensive posts?
Or is it not the responsibility of people who wear their politics, opinions and general bad judgment on their sleeves and chests to respect the space of their friends? Quit being that tiny sliver in your finger, that speck of dust in your eye, or that annoying rattle of unknown origin in the car. All of which are either painful to deal with or annoying as hell to listen to.
The nature, reach and effect in all of today's online communication is exacerbated by the immediacy the Internet offers on its many platforms.
Think about what it was that may have angered you before clicking on the “send” button. There is no turning back and remember, words can hurt forever. Don't write angry.
Those of us who became Facebook “friends” did so because of relationships forged long before Mark Zuckerberg launched this revolutionary idea from his Harvard dorm room in 2004.
Don't let it get in the way of real friendships today.
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