Facebook has become ubiquitous! It's in our 'faces' and there's no denying that it is a corporate GIANT. I see the 'like' logo all through-out advertising and the internet on a day-to-day basis, to the point where It becomes such a normality that it is expected. People talk of facebook frequently and habitually. So much so that the phrase "facebook me" has been adopted into our language on a wide scale and seems to serve as a substitute for "email me" or "call me".
Facebook was launched in 2004, with pioneer Mark Zuckerberg leading the way. Estimated to be worth just over 75 billion dollars, facebook hosts over 800 million users worldwide (prediction to hit 1 billion in august) and is the most-used social networking site to ever exist. But I'd prefer to look at facebook with a fish-eye glance.....
A very interesting arguement Ben. I like the way you've taken something so exceedingly popular, but presented it in an entirely different light. The intro is effective, quirky as well as informative. I particularly like the pun, "in our 'faces'".
ReplyDeleteHey Ben,
ReplyDeleteYour comparison between Facebook being an entrepreneur and downfalls fit perfectly. How you showed us the broad picture on the successes compared to the negative aspects made me think more about Facebook just being a "social network that is dominating all other social networks", but also showed me that we are very, well and truly vulnerable. It is true that our information can easily be tracked down by our very own government, even the CIB(New Zealand's Detective's forces) have access to our accounts.
For example, people wanting to join the New Zealand police force have to go through a certain process where there details and background information are checked and double checked. That includes the detectives checking your Facebook page. They can still see everything, yes that includes invading your privacy when you have set it to private. They can see who your friends are and those you're associated with.
Very very sad if you have a picture of yourself holding a spray can next to a wall full of graffiti, your application will probably be dismissed.
Fact proven, my mate had this happen to him, thanks to Facebook. Lol
Go hard man! :-)
Didn't know the CIB had access. Thought the info and unauthorized access was only based in the United States considering they're (Facebook/US Government) the ones that harvest all the information.
DeleteInteresting......
Thanks for that Allan.
Hey Ben,
ReplyDeleteI am frequent Facebook user and think its a brilliant idea. However your argument does make me want to deactivate my account now so I think your blog has served its purpose without me even reading past the first section. Your extensive use of high end vocabulary is interesting and was a challenge for myself , in saying that it also very clever.
You seem like you are very passionate about social networking and its downfalls and that is clearly communicated.
Well done.
Shanay x
Hi,Ben.
ReplyDeleteI am totally agree with your opinion. Most people are using facebook to pretend living another life and such lifestyle is really ridiculous. I like the decorate of your viewpage and the use of vocabulary is interesting and close to our life.
I definatly aplaud you for the sceptical stance you have taken in your blog and i like your line about prefering to look at Facebook with a "fisheye" glance.
ReplyDeleteYour blog has made me think that perhaps we should take into consideration viewing more normal/everyday things with a fisheye glance.
As a frequent (addicted) facebook user, Im glad that your blog has made me think twice about what i actually put on the internet and who can actually see my profile and what Im doing.
There was an article I read recently about a girl who wrote on facebook that she was at home alone and her stalker saw it and planned an attack on her... This is the exact point you've made about who can see what we are writing and what they are using our profiles for...