Why?
As I said below, I've never had a Facebook or MySpace. My impression of them is that they are an unfortunate development in modern identity, whereby people feel the need to have a 'presence' beyond their actual presence. Everyone imagines themselves as a brand or a media feature, with the one caveat that these online personae are almost always devoid of interest or substance. The whole thing is a massive delusion in which everyone imagines their life has any kind of importance outside it's own tiny and insignificant context. It's reality TV as personal identity. It's the adolescent urge to say, "Look at me! I'm special! I'm different!"

But you'll notice I'm posting this comment anyway. To try and show how clever I think I am.
(frankspencer, Fri 12 Sep 2008, 9:42, 7 replies)

Hm
I use it as a way of keeping tabs with friends from uni that I'm no longer that close with, friends who've moved to different countries etc.

It's just nice to see what everybody's been up to with their lives. I'm not doing it out of some need to be seen and to feel popular. You're tarring too many people with the same brush.
( Kroney, Fri 12 Sep 2008, 9:57, closed)

I was badgered into signing up for facebook
I'm at that age (31) where friends & colleagues are married & producing children. You would be surprised at how insulted someone can be when you explain that you cant view the thousands of photos of their newborn children on facebook because you don't have an account. "WHAT?! BUT THEY'RE THE MOST IMPORTANT CHILDREN IN THE WORLD!!!"
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Fri 12 Sep 2008, 9:57, closed)

I'm on facebook and myspace and I have no idea why.
I hardly ever use it. It's useful to keep up with what my friend in New Zealand is up to but thats about it.

When you've been poked once it's all a bit downhill from there.

Actually, I can see the use for the younger generation. My sister is starting uni soon and has already made some friends in her halls of residence via the facebook. So when she moves in she won't feel lonely and worried about who she's living with.
( girlinthehole, Fri 12 Sep 2008, 10:04, closed)

facebook
I'm on it for the same reason as Kroney

I must admit that when I first signed up I did get carried away with stupid applications and loads of friends etc.

then I came to my senses and have used it to get in touch with people that I would never have done otherwise.

after a brief catch up though I tend to never speak to them again, and eventually prune them from my "friends"

I fucking hate myspace, but because I have a band we are obliged to be on it.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 12 Sep 2008, 10:07, closed)

b3ta
i see what you did there, frank!
( rachelswipe with a fork, Fri 12 Sep 2008, 10:17, closed)

Yeah, um...

*replies, but adds nothing of value, thus proving the point*




Bugger.
( Moey, Fri 12 Sep 2008, 10:33, closed)

I concur
The excuse of 'using it to keep in touch with friends' is a little thin when we have email and the old fashioned telephone.
Personally, anyone I've not kept in touch with over the years is in that position because I dont want to know about them. The people I care about are only a phone call or email away.
I looked on facebook once, utter drivel.
(Vic Flange, Sat 13 Sep 2008, 18:54, closed)