Facebook in Reality

I was youtube surfing when i came across a video where they asked the question: What would it be like if Facebook was actually played out in real life? It was quite hillarious to see the processes that occur when accepting friends, looking at photos and captions, status updates and privacy issues. Putting the processes in a real life setting showed how unrealistic the communication tools where if transferred into the real world. Although they were pulling the mickey out of it, it was funny to see how Facebook has changed the way people reconnect with friends and family online.

In reality, processes to connect and communicate with friends is much more easier. Well personally thats what I think. For instance, you dont have to 'poke' someone to get their attention, send a friend request in the hope they would accept and finally find the best possible photo that makes you look 10kgs lighter. The convenience of sites like Facebook make them more appealing to users. We have become a lazy society.

Todd Kelsey in his book Social networking spaces: From Facebook to Twitter and everything in between states that "Part of the reason Facebook took off in the school environment is because Facebook is inherently social. E.g. you can sign in, see who is on someones list of friends, and you can invite people to be your friends"(2010)

In reality, people arent that socially forward. Facebook offers people with a space to be more confident- especially to those more socially reserved. Although it is a great way to reconnect with old friends and family, would you really talk to every single person on your friends list if you were connected in a real life setting?

What do we really learn about our "online friends" too? Social gossiping and social status are a few of the main things that we can identity from snooping at status updates and recent photos. In reality, privacy is more apparent and it is harder to have a nosey into other peoples business. Facebook lets users put on a show into their world. This may be an over exaggerated view, however it may not be authentic.

Being the worlds largest social networking site, i guess it shows how much society is evolving in terms of communication. Ten years from now, Facebook may be dead (just like how hi-5, another SNS fell to the ground after SNS Bebo took off). Watch this space i say.

Check out the link to the youtube video: 'FACEBOOK IN REALITY'




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrlSkU0TFLs