SNS confession session
Sunday, October 4, 2009 by Nivea
Just a week ago I got a close trustworthy friend to change my password on Facebook so that I was unable to log onto this online social networking site any longer until exams and assignments were done with.
The next day, every time I turned a computer on and opened up an internet page - my fingers automatically typed in "www.facebook.com". Addicted? no I couldnt be. But why did I need someone to change my password to keep me from going online? The following day after a somewhat idea of 'Facebook withdrawal' (sounds sick, i know), I was fine. This was when I thought to myself - how the hell did I become so addicted to Facebook? It wasnt like I was using applications like Mafia Wars, or FarmVille that everybody else was soo attached to with their virtual money they were earning or chatting to people overseas, actually I was more posting comments and links on my friends walls (whom I see on a regular/daily basis) and checking out friends new photos etc. Sometimes, me and a friend would be sitting near each other in a computer lab on Facebook posting new links on each others walls (as well as other friends) or posting comments when we could be talking in person.
Then I read Donath's article "Signals in Social supernets" in which she indicates that:
The next day, every time I turned a computer on and opened up an internet page - my fingers automatically typed in "www.facebook.com". Addicted? no I couldnt be. But why did I need someone to change my password to keep me from going online? The following day after a somewhat idea of 'Facebook withdrawal' (sounds sick, i know), I was fine. This was when I thought to myself - how the hell did I become so addicted to Facebook? It wasnt like I was using applications like Mafia Wars, or FarmVille that everybody else was soo attached to with their virtual money they were earning or chatting to people overseas, actually I was more posting comments and links on my friends walls (whom I see on a regular/daily basis) and checking out friends new photos etc. Sometimes, me and a friend would be sitting near each other in a computer lab on Facebook posting new links on each others walls (as well as other friends) or posting comments when we could be talking in person.
Then I read Donath's article "Signals in Social supernets" in which she indicates that:
"Language is much more efficient than physical grooming, for one can talk to several people at once. Language also helps people learn about cultural norms, evaluate other's behavior, and keep up with the news and shifting opinions of their surrounding community. It makes reputation possible - individuals benefit from the experience of others in determining who is nice, who does good work, and who should be shunned for their dishonest ways."
I realised why I wasted so much time always on Facebook. It was the idea of being able to talk to my friends all at the same time - but being able to close one box and switch to another and also view clips, links and photos, makes multi-tasking seem easier. I also realised that I had become one of what me and my friends call "Facebook stalkers", I thought that News feed was quite useful because I always scrolled through and checked out what new photos, links and updates on status' my friends had. Invasion of their privacy? why dont they change their settings then?. I saw Facebook sort of like a current affairs site like the Heralds website where News Feed actually does work for me like a "breaking news" broadcast would be updated everytime someone posted something new. I view the news feed generally because I wanted to find out what was going on with everyone and in the world (as all my friends on Facebook are either family or people i see on a regular basis). I would find out through News Feed (on people status') who won a nrl match and depict how my friends are feeling through their status etc. I actually found out through a friends status on Facebook that Obama won the election, and that Micheal Jackson, Patrick Swayze and various other celebreties had died.
I guess I was somewhat addicted to Facebook for that period of time because I kept tabs on my friends unconsciously. I asked my friend a week ago "Hey, did you get your dvd back?" and she was like "Huh? from who?", Oops it was a comment I read on her wall from another friend, I shouldve kept that to myself haha. Also another friend posted a comment on my wall mentioning the name of a friend who I hardly ever talk to. The next day, the friend who was mentioned in the comment, commented underneath it. Hmm Subtle. Maybe they keep tabs on me too? scary.