Facebook Love

Back when I was in college, Facebook was always the it website.  I can recall when my alma mater, SUNY Potsdam, wasn't on "the list".  I was so dissapointed.  Every day it seemed, a new college would pop up on "the list"(not that I was checking, or anything).  Then, one fine day my boyfriend at the time called me. "Clarkson's on Facebook!"

Asshole. 

Private school jackasses beat us.  He flaunted his facebook use every chance he got.  Oh, how I wanted a taste of Facebook.

Then, one day, Mark Zuckerberg (the founder/CEO of Facebook) posted a note on the main page stating that if you wanted your college listed, you would have to round up as many people as you could to email the Facebook people.  Well, there must have been enough people from our college to respond, because a few weeks later, there we were. 

It was beautiful.

I was a junior in college then, and it had FINALLY happened. We were added to the growing list of colleges that were accepted to use the social-networking site.  I was so excited, and so were my friends.  Note: this is before it became the stalker-book we all know and love today.

rememeber this guy?

Pre-stalkerbook didn't have a "status" update.  It also didn't have the "like" feature, groups, notes or applications.  Now, people use Facebook sort of like how they used AIM back in the day (which, by the way, I was OBSESSED with.  Does anyone even use that anymore?)  Basically, it was an uncomplicated layout with your picture on the left, information (bio) up above,  and the "wall" on the bottom (which looked sort of like modern day text messages) and the date you joined on the left.   Over the years, it really has changed and evolved.  I have to say-I was opposed to the changes at first. I joined every protest that came my way.   There was no other reason other than the fact that it was comfortable and familiar to me, and when they tweaked and changed things, it really threw me for a loop.  Eventually, I finally became used to it, and I can honestly now say I love it. Facebook felt the needs to change with the people that were using it, and I'm sure it will continue to do so.  One thing that has stuck around, however, is "poking".  I have been a proud poker of my friend Steve since 2004. 

Although I love Facebook, there are some things I cannot get used to.  Like the fact that it was made specifically for college students, then it began broadening it's audience and letting in high-schoolers.  Eventually they let anyone join who is 13 and up.  It' was a little shocking when my mom signed up for Facebook and told me she had seen my most recent picture postings (hello to my wild and crazy sorority girl days-keg stands anyone?...yikes).  I was mortified!  Moms and Facebook?  I don't think I'll ever get used to it.  Oh good Lord.   Here I am a mom.  And I'm using it, aren't I?  I'm so old!

Facebook has changed things for us-even if we may not directly see it.  It's has allowed us to, in a way, stay connected to those people in our past we probably would never think about or see again if it were not for this little website. Status updates keep us up to date with what is going on in peoples lives, even if we don't directly speak with them.  It helps us feel closer to them.  I have a few close friends that I don't talk to as much because, well..life happens, and we are all busy.  I see their status updates, and I know whats going on with them.  I still feel close.  And when I do happen to talk to them on the phone or see them face to face, I know exactly how they are and what they're up to based on their info they share. I guess I should add I am very lucky to have the friends I do.  Even if we go 2 months, 1 year, 5 years- we still pick up where we left off.  We don't skip a beat. 

My point is-some random college who was playing around and trying to make his own Harvard version of Hot or Not came up came up with a program that seriously changed the way we interact; at least in the US.

...I think that's pretty damn cool;)