Facebook Is Ruining Everything

May 1, 2010 3:00 pm     Posted in Entertainment, HaHa  Jessica- Delaware g+ page

Facebook is the hallmark of our generation. It’s usually a good way to see what your friends (or acquaintances, or enemies…) are up to and a good way to kill some time. But the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that this social networking tool is actually ruining our lives and dramatically changing the way we stalk communicate…for the worse. Here’s 5 very crucial parts of our lives that Facebook is slowly destroying…


By Jessica

1. Dating
After you make out with a guy, do you friend request him? If so, how long do you wait? What about that cute boy in your lecture? Will he think it’s weird that you know his last name? Do you write on his wall? If he doesn’t write back, is he not interested? OMG, he “likes” your status, what does that mean!?  With all this virtual interpretation, there’s hardly time for a real date (or more realistically, a real romp-in-the-hay).

2. Your GPA
I know I’m not the only one that spends more time Facebook creeping in the library than actually studying, and term papers take much longer when you’re logging in to check your News Feed after every paragraph. Especially when that News Feed says “(insert ex’s name here) is in a relationship.” Cue mental breakdown and tears. In the library. Do you see where I’m going with this?

3. Friendships
When we can keep in touch with our friends via wall-to-walls and see what’s going on in their lives from status updates, it’s easy to forget that weekly phone call. Then when you’re finally home for summer together, it seems like you haven’t actually talked in ages. Because you haven’t.

4. Family TMI
Somewhere along the way, adults mistakenly determined it was okay for them to have Facebook too. So that status you posted about your 58 second keg stand? Yeah, Grandma saw that. And that wildly inappropriate TFLN your BFF put on your wall because it totally applies to you? Auntie Deb saw that too. And if you “marry” your roomie on Facebook, get ready, because at Thanksgiving dinner you WILL be asked when you decided to become a lesbian.

5. Your Future
Some organizations have sneaky ways of getting around those privacy settings (if you remember to use them in the first place), and they will stalk you. Turns out those pictures of you funneling beers while getting a piggyback ride from a guy in a lacrosse pinny and the “I’m soo hungover” status updates don’t go over so well with the big boss man. Even if you’re the most responsible student ever, Facebook faux-pas can make you unemployable in an instant.

15 Comments on "Facebook Is Ruining Everything"

  1. erika says:
    Sat, 1st May 20102:27 pm 

    This is all so true. I've deleted mine like 3 times but it's hard because it's how everyone keeps in touch now. I'm lost for half of the conversations I have because I didn't ' see those pics last night/read his wall/commented her status etc..'.

  2. Chris McPherson says:
    Sat, 1st May 20105:26 pm 

    That is exactly why I wrote this blog a few days ago. I have found something that solves all of these problems. Increased privacy and so much more. Socialize with five different profiles instead of one like Facebook. Family, friends, professional, dating and blogging. It is so innovative plus this is only the tip of the iceberg.

    Check my blog out at http://www.yournight.com/aspen/collegecash

  3. Beverly says:
    Sun, 2nd May 20104:48 am 

    So true! I keep deactivating mine…and get sucked right back in because everyone uses it and not doing so keeps you out of the loop. Unless you're my parents. In that case, please stop using Facebook and analyzing my entire profile.

  4. criolle johnny says:
    Sun, 2nd May 20101:29 pm 

    Facebook has an annoying habit of introducing a new gadget every 9-12 months which compromises privacy.

    They don't TELL you that it does that. You have to find out for yourself and turn off the part that compromises you. By then, you're getting spam from parts of Eastern Europe and the Far East who are trying to improve your sex life and sell you time shares in South America.

    They keep doing it even though they get their fingers burned every time they do it. It's cost effective. I've RESET my privacy settings five times since I started my facebook profile.

    Thanks to YELP, they now want to share your name and photograph, but your current city, gender, networks, complete list of friends, your likes and interests, and profile information (where you grew up, went to school and worked).

    They also want to give that information to "marketing partners".

    This is similar to the "Beacon" flap in 2007.

    As an added extra hassle, you have to disable the privacy intrusions one at a time!

    It gets worse every year. I'm gettin' hostile.

    Bright Blessings

  5. L says:
    Sun, 2nd May 20103:54 pm 

    "Especially when that News Feed says “(insert ex’s name here) is in a relationship.” Cue mental breakdown and tears. In the library." …I know you're exaggerating, but get real. Just be smart about Facebook. It is a tool that you CAN use, but no one is making you have one. Instead of writing a blog about it, just delete yours.

  6. Britt says:
    Sun, 2nd May 20105:16 pm 

    As someone who recently got out of a long-term relationship, I can admit that the above situation more or less happened to me. Although fb can keep you more connected with friends, it also has the tendency to make [unwanted] information too readily available and often times amplifies drama in your life. I found that blocking people can be very effective.

  7. Margo M says:
    Mon, 3rd May 20107:55 am 

    I hate how on facebook–so many things that you really don't want to know find their way onto your feed. Some of my friends on the other hand will go "long distances" to find info about what someone who they hated in high school looks like now– or who is doing what. I think that is really petty since you're going through so much effort to find information out-that may or may not bring you down. For some reason–because it's on facebook–it's okay to be that petty though. Interesting how that works.

    I do have to disagree with you about adults having facebook being a very bad thing. It is a way for them to connect too. I mean I know plenty of moms and dads who know what is going on–and how much their kid is partying so even though it is uncomfortable–it's alright, and being able to keep in touch is worth the awkward TFLN question marks.

  8. criolle johnny says:
    Wed, 5th May 20104:58 pm 

    EFF just posted a link to help AVOID having facebook sign you up for applications. You have to be proactive to keep them from giving away your privacy.

    It's kind of like having someone sign you up for a credit card or mortgage without asking, then foreclosing and ruining your credit without ever telling you.

    Orwell was an optimist.

    Here's the EFF link with the FIVE steps you have to take to opt out:

    http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/how-opt-out-…

  9. Rosaina Jamal says:
    Fri, 7th May 201012:36 pm 

    It's true. Wall-to-wall interactions make me "think" I'm communicating with a friend, but it turns out that I'm missing out for the good old-fashioned phone calls that I miss so much.

  10. Mariagrafs says:
    Fri, 7th May 201010:20 pm 

    I think you are right. If we think deep in to the points you raised then it is certain that face book is having some effect on our lives.
    http://www.hindlist.com

  11. Medina says:
    Tue, 25th May 20102:31 am 

    Can you tell me about your first kiss?

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