• The Facebook Generation (and Why Society's Future Might Be Fucked)
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[b]This is probably a decent sized read for a thread so, if you're going to contribute to the discussion, I'd appreciate it if you read everything in this post first before posting a response. Thanks.[/b] So over the course of the past few years, I've started wondering about various things regarding the future and the way things in society are shaping up. For instance, the current generation of kids (and even the one behind us) seem to be becoming less and less motivated to want to achieve something due to what I like to call the "Facebook" syndrome. Hear me out. Now I'm sure this has probably been covered in studies, research and papers from reputable institutions before, but what I'm about to state is from personal observance regarding the matter. It would seem that with the advent of something like Facebook, it's like progress is about to hit a brick wall. The ultimate feeling about this is the fact of how many people actually spend so much fucking time on a site like Facebook obsessing over things like what everyone else is doing and letting how "perfect" everyone else's lives seem determine how you're going to feel today. I'll take my ex for instance. Chances are, you have a Facebook page. And chances are you all know at least one person who is obsessive with the information on their page regarding "Profile Picture", how witty or topical their statuses, and how much attention they crave all the time. Well that describes her to a tee. Now honestly, I've been using Facebook so infrequently that it's almost a non-entity to me anymore, but each time I would ever so much as take a glance, I see "So and so has changed her profile picture". As little as I signed in, I thought it was a strange coincidence to see her changing the picture almost every time I logged in. So just for shits and giggles I started checking every few hours, and then by the hour on the hour for confirmation. This girl CHANGED HER PROFILE PICTURE OVER 50 TIMES IN HALF A DAY. Oh and she's not alone, there's another few dozen or so from my feed who engaged in the same activity. How anyone becomes that concerned with something like that is beyond baffling. In fact, it's borderline (if not full blown) avant-garde narcissism. But I'm getting ahead of myself. There's a few of you that might be saying [I]"BUT WAIT! You're contradicting yourself! You're falling prey to the very thing you're preaching against which is obsessing over others!".[/I] To an extent, yes, but it was merely for the ability to share with you observations based on curiosity rather than actual bloodlust for these individuals. The point I'm making is the obsession level is just...I dunno. I don't think I can really fathom a word to describe it. What happened to us? As a society? Or just as people? Personally, I liked it when I didn't know what my classmate ate for lunch, or how you spent your whole day at the DMV, or how amazing you think you look in the mirror by dutch angling your camera phone and making a fish lips face. And I honestly do blame the media for perpetuating this to the youth as being something worth glamorizing. Remember when your life was private, and the world didn't try to make you feel like an outcast or alienated for not having your life on the world stage for everyone to see and judge? Suddenly, everyone's a celebrity. Everyone now has the delusion that everyone else ACTUALLY CARES about every insignificant minuscule detail of their day and that you should feel obliged to share it with the world. I think the only thing I have ever used Facebook consistently for was posting stupid shit or funny/interesting videos. Since when did everyone need a Twitter feed too? Unless you're some public figure who uses it for promotion (which, that seems like that's all these sites are used for anymore), why on Earth do you need to tell the world you're sitting in traffic, or how bad your day was at work, or how terrible your diarrhea was just now (yes I have seen this type of status before). It's beyond diatribe. Then we have the friend illusion. Oh look at me I have 792 friends! Oh man, she's obviously more popular than me. [b]This has turned into MySpace all over again[/b]. I never understand people with more than 1000 friends, let alone maybe 100 (I'm guilty myself, it says I'm 182, with 6-10 of which I talk to on a regular basis, 5 of whom I actually consider close dear friends). The rest were classmates from college. So what made people insecure about this? How did a superficial number come to prominence to dictate whether or not you have any worth in the eyes of this generation? [b]FUN FACT![/b] The average human being is only capable of having and maintaining 150 (or less depending on the person) meaningful relationships with people at any given time. This is due to the fact that from evolutionary data suggests when people lived in small villages with populations hovering around that area. Your 150 were scattered over a wide are, but everybody shared the same 150. This made for a very densely interconnected community, and this means the community polices itself. You don't need lawyers and policemen. If you step out of line, granny will wag her finger at you. [b]BREAK TIME! Go make a sandwich, make a cup of tea, and give this article a read regarding the human brain's capacity regarding the maximum amount of relationships. It'll make you appreciate how pathetic we're becoming as a society due to things like Facebook and other social network media.[/b] [url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/mar/14/my-bright-idea-robin-dunbar[/url] If you have several hundreds "Facebook friends", I ask you, why? What void are you filling by having however many hundreds of friends to reassure yourself of something? It's something I've never really been able to put my finger on. What gets me is the people with several hundred friends, who post numerous statuses each day and no one ever comments on them. How's that for friends? Here's where we are; we're all too busy living in this delusional fairytale competition against one another competing for supremacy from afar, behind the safety of our computer screens, what is the incentive to want to achieve anything of worth anymore? If Facebook becomes the single most important entity in one's daily routine, how does one eliminate the dominance and reliance of a website that has essentially created a new sub-genre of addiction, and instead of solving a problem only created a vortex of a new one? In essence, why should today's generation give a shit about achieving when the majority seem to dictate that this is the thing to do? God forbid you don't fit in with your friends on Facebook. It just holds people back. Sure, hive mind and herd mentality is nothing new, but this latest form seems to be quickly becoming the most damaging of all it's forms we've seen throughout the course of human advancement. If these generations are all too busy obsessing over everyone at any given time instead of doing something with their lives to actually "brag" about on Facebook (which also occurs quite often and is a main reason of Facebook's popularity), where's the progress going to be when the majority become useless and incapable of functioning in society, with a warped idea of what are priorities in life? The reason I'm posting this is merely because I'm aware this website caters to much of the same demographic and age group as myself and I'm curious if anyone else has made similar observations regarding this phenomenon. Please, I'd love some of your input, and whether or not you see any benefits or cons regarding what this monstrosity of a website offers. [b]EDIT:[/b] Based on a lot of responses that I have received in this thread, I think a lot of people are taking what I said in completely the wrong way. I'm not making a rant that's saying "OMG I FUKIN H8 FACEBOOK AND ANYONE WHO USES IT IZ UH IDIOT". The information I'm presenting is based on a hypothesis on observations made out of sheer interest regarding the behavior of people using Facebook versus real life. Some would say "get new friends" or new "aquaintences". These people were as normal as any back in college and school and elsewhere. And those I singled out do not represent the majority of everyone's mindset in my "network" either. The point I'm trying to make is the repercussions that a tool like Facebook would have on THIS generation's development as opposed to the previous generations. I am not a "fear monger" trying to prophesize doom and gloom for the world. I just find it merely silly though to dismiss it's impact on society. I'll give you an example. If you were to just take away Facebook right now, from everyone, what would you think would be the collective reaction? I'd almost guarantee it wouldn't be positive in the slightest. That's the real point I'm making. Has this generation become reliant on this tool so much to the extent that it would be able to live without? This, of course, is not taking into consideration the next "big thing" that will inevitably turn up and take everyone's interest away (like Facebook did to MySpace). The difference between MySpace and Facebook is that Facebook has grown to "Google" or "Microsoft" like proportions in terms of use. It's one of those seemingly "too big to take away" businesses now. /End
We've been heading for this since 1974, just run with it. EDIT: Facebook just gave us a platform
people obsessing over facebook does not entail the impending failure of the current generation. if anything, this is just sensationalist bullshit inspired by a website the OP doesn't like.
We all know this. It's quite obvious
[QUOTE=ItchyBarracuda;29003034][b]This is probably a decent sized read for a thread so, if you're going to contribute to the discussion, I'd appreciate it if you read everything in this post first before posting a response. Thanks.[/b][/QUOTE] wtf your not the boss of me
I don't think people here get that Facebook is to talk to people you actually know
Yeah we are just as fucked as we were when people we obsessed with other stupid shit in the past. We are not.
[QUOTE=LordWoot;29003180]I don't think people here get that Facebook is to talk to people you actually know[/QUOTE] No it is to network with people you know and branch out with people they know
Interesting read. Also, the new generation will be so used to things such as conversing over the internet or thanking someone for something they did (in real life, such as hosting a party) via Facebook that they will have a complete lack of social skills.
[QUOTE=Trumple;29003227]Interesting read. Also, the new generation will be so used to things such as conversing over the internet or thanking someone for something they did (in real life, such as hosting a party) via Facebook that they will have a complete lack of social skills.[/QUOTE] no.
Everyone knows this anyway. It's like me making a thread on how to use toilet paper.
[QUOTE=johan_sm;29003181]Yeah we are just as fucked as we were when people we obsessed with other stupid shit in the past. We are not.[/QUOTE] It's a matter of perspective really. If one is perfectly happy with living their average life with no real undertakings or big goals in mind, one can live a life of mediocrity and not realize they're part of the growing problem by having an attitude like this. Here's the difference between people obsessing over stupid shit in the past and people obsessing over the stupid shit of today. Facebook harbors over 500,000,000 people. That's 1/12 of the world population, which, in a fraction doesn't seem like a lot, but in reality it is.
Replying here to come back at a later time. I'm actually doing an assignment on this, so it might be somewhat helpful.
[QUOTE=Trumple;29003227]Interesting read. Also, the new generation will be so used to things such as conversing over the internet or thanking someone for something they did (in real life, such as hosting a party) via Facebook that they will have a complete lack of social skills.[/QUOTE] Actually that is a good point too. I've noticed that often. What happened to calling up the person or texting them in private? It's like they WANT people to see they're communicating with others to fulfill some insecurity or something.
Back then it was Rock music, long hair and doing useless shit. Today it's Facebook and Rihanna. And then there's always the people stating how the end has come because the youth just seems to be stupid and counterproductive. Most will eventually get on the right track as they get older.
People who live their lives constantly on facebook would have chosen something equal as useless without it.
I Like You, Man, But Talking Like This On Your Title Really Stopped Me From Reading The Article.
I only ever go once a week maybe less maybe more
[QUOTE=Tu154M;29003378]Back then it was Rock music, long hair and doing useless shit. Today it's Facebook and Rihanna. And then there's always the people stating how the end has come because the youth just seems to be stupid and counterproductive. Most will eventually get on the right track as they get older.[/QUOTE] lol I am not a bible thumper declaring the end of the world with an ass backwards view of the world dictated by scriptures written thousands of years ago. There's a big divide between what was argued as "the end of the world" with rock music and long hair as opposed to the actual stress, mental insecurity and overall unproductiveness that Facebook promotes with the current generation's lack of prioritizing their lives as well as having any kind of idea of how this really doesn't benefit them in the long run and instead is a distraction. But if people want to do it that's cool too. It's just honestly funny to watch people complain that there's nothing wrong with it. I almost want to look at some of the people posting in this thread in 30 years and see where they've ended up defending self destructive behavior like what I've stated in the original post.
I honestly hate those people who say, "bitch bitch bitch deleting facebook because i spend to much time on it bitch bitch bitch". No one is forcing you to be on facebook 4 times a day, if you can't stop yourself then you're an idiot. [editline]5th April 2011[/editline] bitch bitch bitch
I just believe out generation believes that everyone owes them something. I don't because I have to work for everything I get.
The youth of a generation has, in modern times, always wasted time doing something. Unless concrete information comes along that says Facebook is directly correlated with lack of motivation in adult life, I won't buy this. This argument to me has always been akin to the argument that video games reduce motivation in our generation. There's just no basis to say that because kids are spending their free time a certain way that they will grow up lazy.
Brace for boxes
brb going to post on twitter about reading this thread on facepunch
Op should read up on accelerationism, let this gay world die and try harder next time.
[QUOTE=Cheese7;29003603]Brace for boxes[/QUOTE] lol I didn't write this for ratings. I enjoy reading other people's opinions on the matter. Ratings are just as significant as telling me how big a shit you took on your Facebook status
[QUOTE=ItchyBarracuda;29003516]lol I am not a bible thumper declaring the end of the world with an ass backwards view of the world dictated by scriptures written thousands of years ago. There's a big divide between what was argued as "the end of the world" with rock music and long hair as opposed to the actual stress, mental insecurity and overall unproductiveness that Facebook promotes with the current generation's lack of prioritizing their lives as well as having any kind of idea of how this really doesn't benefit them in the long run and instead is a distraction. But if people want to do it that's cool too. It's just honestly funny to watch people complain that there's nothing wrong with it. I almost want to look at some of the people posting in this thread in 30 years and see where they've ended up defending self destructive behavior like what I've stated in the original post.[/QUOTE] But there was stress, mental insecurity and overall unproductiveness - any popular social movement generates it. "Am I listening to the right band?" "Did I miss x groups new single?" "Do I like the right things?" "Do I wear the right clothes?" It's part of being human, I guess. We always strive to belong in a group - whether it's your Facebook friends, the latest music sensation or a sport. And some people will go to great lengths to get that sense of belonging.
[QUOTE=ItchyBarracuda;29003648]lol I didn't write this for ratings. I enjoy reading other people's opinions on the matter. Ratings are just as significant as telling me how big a shit you took on your Facebook status[/QUOTE] I bet every time you see a box you die a little inside. Much like the rest of us.
Quite a few girls I know act really dumb on facebook but are actually pretty smart in school.
[QUOTE=avergejoe;29003674]I bet every time you see a box you die a little inside. Much like the rest of us.[/QUOTE] It makes my penis sad :(
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