Facebook, MySpace, and My Place

Alright, it's time for me to come clean. In addition to having a MySpace page, a few months ago after much resistance I finally went ahead and "launched" a Facebook account. I had been toying with the idea of going with getting a Facebook page off and on for at least a couple of years. But after getting solicited with requests from a few friends who were mainstays of FB, I took the plunge.

At this point, I feel as if I had accumulated enough experience with Facebook to make some personal conclusions, many contrasting with what I have derived from MySpace to date. I have had a MySpace page now since July 2006, of which I also held out resistance to before "peer pressure" seduced me to the dark side.

A few things about me...I was never much for social conformity during my "formative" years, particularly high school. I loathed it actually - to the point of living most of those years on the social fringes which suited me just fine. I was and am still fundamentally a pretty unorthodox dude and am proud of that fact. Engaging in social networking seems to go against my inner rebel a bit - but I have rationalized that the positives have maintained my involvement in such to date.

I'll start off with my MySpace experiences...overall, as "tacky" as MySpace can certainly be (and I admit to exploiting that to some degree), I have made the acquaintance of some truly outstanding people (you know who you are) as well as reconnecting with a good number of those I had practically given up for dead. I have been able to glean a thing or two thanks to a number of like minded pals who freely share and disseminate information via bulletins and blogs.

And also, I have been able to capitalize on this aspect as well via my own blog writing and bulletins. In addition, getting the opportunity to use this medium to document "what's what" in my life via picture postings and blog accounts has been somewhat satisfying. Like most anything else, social networking sites are a tool and it's in its usage that ultimately determines its end worth.

Recently however, I have noticed a few of my MySpace pals decided to delete their accounts, for one reason or another. One such friend (who I know in real life - now there's a thought!) did so owing to a preference for Facebook. Of which I will elaborate my impressions about shortly. I won't lie and say that thoughts have periodically crossed my mind about deleting my social networking accounts, something I may ultimately do at some point. The "inner hermit" in me continuously demands it - but for now they both will remain.

One thing I have observed is that both Facebook and MySpace seem to have a knack for "timesucking". I feel as if I have scaled back my other 'net activities as a result of some very addicting involvements with the aforementioned. This comes down to personal discipline of which I have been lax about in these matters. But...I do manage to get out and about into the real world when warranted so it's not a glaring negative - yet.

On the plus side, I truly enjoy the genuine comments and compliments I receive on MySpace whether for wishing me a great weekend or receiving positive input and feedback about a blog I have written. Such sentiments are priceless and I really, really take them to heart. Especially in regards to my blog as I consider writing my avocation of sorts. Damn, I actually have people willing enough to take the time to read about the nonsense I write about, comment about it, and even in some instances subscribe! THAT is just cool as sh!t. To those that have done this, I salute you and you have my eternal gratitude.

As for my fledgling experiences with Facebook, I can assert that there are contrasts and similarities with MySpace. It seems that Facebook is more of a "circumstantial" social network - based largely on people you know through direct shared experiences like high school, living on the same street, etc.

Though it is neat to periodically reacquaint with people I had given up for dead, overall I find Facebook to be more of a social popularity contest as it seems to be centered on having practically every single individual you have come into contact with on your network. Please...I honestly could give a rat's ass about having X amount of "friends" and being voted as "the sweetest guy", getting cyber snowballs thrown at me, and so on. That repulses me deeply about Facebook which seems very cliquish and at times pretentious and preening.

And no offense but just because I may have shared a class with someone back in '77 is not sufficient enough grounds for me to add someone as a "friend" on FB. I am definitely not the same person you knew 20, 10, even a few years ago.

So unless we have made some effort to maintain contact and in touch, I am okay with going our own respective, separate mutual trajectories if the fates allow. And they usually do. But there are always exceptions and I have no compunctions against resurrecting a friendship with someone if warranted. There is simply no cut and dried rule that applies.

Some of the things I "accuse" Facebook of can be lobbed against MySpace as well. I know people with over a thousand "friends" on here, of which I doubt they all have some form of deep connection with. I myself have accepted friend requests from more than a few people who have never so much even acknowledged my existence in any way since that time except for that initial request. I myself am somewhat reserved and give a lot of thought in deciding whether or not I should send out a request to someone - it's something I do not undertake lightly.

Conversely, I somewhat "respect" someone who does send me a request, if only on the grounds of chutzpah. Unless it's blatantly commercial. Then it's "garbage in - garbage out". Sure, MySpace can also be something of a "popularity contest" too and very tacky. But I admire it's free form spirit a bit as well as the fact that most of the contacts I've made via MySpace are based on things that define us as individuals - shared interests and affinities as opposed to mere circumstantial shared environments. I am a firm believer in the old adage that "one's friends are the family we choose". Even in the most casual of settings. So on those grounds, I give MySpace the nod over Facebook - based on my personal experiences so far.

Don't get me wrong...I find quite a bit to gripe about MySpace as well. But hey, it's free and no one is forcing me to maintain it. As for Facebook, I admit that there was some initial "fascination" with the process of discovery and enjoy it to some degree. But boy, what a timesuck. Anyhow, I have more pals to date on MySpace than Facebook so why on earth shouldn't I be more partial to the former as opposed to the latter? ;-)