Thursday, December 2, 2010

facebook nation

Meg and I went to see the social network a couple weeks ago. It's certain to be nominated for Best Picture this year, and deservedly so, it's a great movie. The story of Mark Zuckerberg's meteoric rise from jilted, bitter college student to the youngest billionaire in history is simply amazing. I've been doing a lot of thinking about it lately.

While I'm no facebook junkie, I do use it, and I think it's a cool way to stay in touch with people. I've reconnected with some of my friends from high school and college, and for that reason alone, I'm a fan. Only two things bug me about facebook: overposting and overliking. I don't want to know the minutia of even my closest friends' lives, much less those on the periphery of my social life. I also don't need to know you "like" air, some things ought to go without saying.  

Whether you like facebook or not, it's impossible to deny its relevance in modern life. It blows my mind that Zuckerberg basically created an empire with a lap top and $1000. The other thing that blows my mind is that Zuckerberg became a billionaire by giving his product away. His success virtually flies in the face of capitalism. I know there are haters out there, but I find Zuckerberg and facebook rather fascinating. How 'bout you?

7 comments:

  1. I do find Facebook and social media interesting. It reminds me of one big party... and some people really know how to work the room.

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  2. Haven't seen Social Network yet, but am looking forward to it. Big plus is that Sorkin wrote it and I am a huge fan. And,full disclosure - I am a chronic FB "over liker"!!! Guilty guilty! I didn't even realize it until a couple of weeks ago when I noticed I "like" 364 things. Have you ever met me? I doubt I like 36 things!!!

    Other than that, I enjoy Facebook and I think it's really interesting how social networking, in general, is becoming part of not only our social but business culture, as well!

    PMT
    http://thisthattheotherone.blogspot.com

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  3. I just started using Facebook in September but then again, I only started blogging in August. I was always wary of it before because it seemed as though every member of my family was addicted to it.

    Now, I realize that I was right but it's too late-I'm hooked as well.

    All I can say is...ingenious, Mr. Zuckerberg...absolutely ingenious.

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  4. I haven't seen the movie. Why do you say he was jilted?

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  5. Starting the transition to Tumblr ~ the new social media for adults.

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  6. Hey Nubian: don't know tumblr-think I'll check it out today

    Gaelic Wife: I said jilted because his girlfriend dumped him, deservingly so if the movie is at all accurate, and the ensuing anger moves him to create an early version of facebook

    Nari: My wife is still wary too, but I think she's wearing down

    PM: Even though overliking kills me, I love that you like 364 things

    Munk: very true, some people do know how to work any room, even in cyberspace

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  7. Good comments. The film also exposes levels of greed and the corruption of an idea. It made me think and I like that. As someone with teens though, we have had some very negative experiences with facebook and I was glad the film also exposed the seedier aspects of social networking too.

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