Facebook: Good or Evil?

Before I start I would like to congratulate the NY Giants for their win against the GB Packers sending them to Super Bowl XLII against the undefeated NE Patriots. This has been the highlight of my whole week. Now after a rough weekend of family anniversaries, traveling and homework due the first week of classes, I came across an article in the economist about Facebook and its potential to be used as an excellent social network. That made me think back to my senior year in high school, when I just heard about Facebook. As soon as I found out I had been accepted into the American University I created an account and profile on Facebook and began adding friends from American and other networks. Basically I was becoming Facebook friends with complete strangers that go to the same college I do. Eventually this led to constant messaging and chatting between people of similar interests and we became friends without even meeting each other in person until welcome week of college. That is at least how it was for me. Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook about 4 years ago and all it has done was grow into a worldwide social network. I only view the internet social networking site as a mere communication means that allows people of a same area or school or set of interests to communicate and get to know one another, without actually having to meet face to face. Now all the new applications that were added to Facebook were only added because it was made into a worldwide network which allowed major companies to buy ad space on the site and advertise new products and applications. The greatest addition to Facebook was the Mini-Feed because you can see everyone’s status, updates, etc., and the majority of the other applications are mere attractions and I believe they are not very necessary.

In addition, Facebook is a great social network and all but it does have its flaws. My opinion is best supported by Rob Cross in his interview with CSC World, when he says “Almost everybody knows that a network is an asset, that better-connected people do better.” Now I completely agree with this quote, that networks are a great way to get ahead in life and be connected, but it has come to my attention that employers are now starting to use Facebook to get a good view of what their potential employees’ social lives look like through the site. We now become vulnerable because people use Facebook the way they want to and people don’t expect employers to find their embarrassing or immoral pictures on the site. Now I know that Facebook has added privacy features, but do you really think that if a person with a bit of power, can’t get to your profile?

The way I see it, is that Facebook is a great social network where everyone can chat and use different applications to express the type of people they are, while obtaining different connections in terms of friends or potential employers. Now since this is an open social network, it can be used against you. We all use networks to meet people, stay connected and get ahead in the real world, but we also have to realize that we can be judged based on what is seen on this site. I’m sure an employer would not hire me if they would open up my Facebook profile and see a picture of me standing there wasted at a party with friends, while the next person may have a family portrait or something. Basically all I am saying is that social networks are great tools for us to use, but I do agree with a quote from the economist that states “Facebook, like many hot start-ups in Silicon Valley, has some fantastic features, but maybe not much more.”