The end of the year (and the end of a decade),  seems like a good time to contemplate goals. I enjoy choosing a specific resolution– one that is achievable, meaningful, or just fun. Year before last, I resolved to return all audio CD’s to their cases after listening. I think I did pretty well with that one, but I certainly was glad when the year was over! (Several CD’s are often out of cases in my car at any given time now.) One year, my friend Nancy decided it was the year to “wear more lipstick.” And, I remember the year after we remodeled the kitchen, my resolution was to spend more time with my sink!
I decided my New Year’s resolution for 2011 is to keep my mouth shut about Facebook. Today, December 31st, will be my last day to rant about how much I HATE FB!!! You may ask, why do you care? Or, why don’t you just delete your account? Well, I really wanted to participate in the Facebook Suicide Day on May 31, 2010. However, as an information professional, I feel compelled (obligated) to investigate current modes of information delivery. Also, my university and other professional organizations are using fb as a social tool, so I still have not one, but two fb accounts.
Social networking is a powerful tool which has revolutionized communication. For professional networking, there are numerous useful sites, such as linkedin and ning, which I find meaningful for specific purposes.  Perhaps I have become too focused on learning and need to remind myself of the old saying, “all work and no play…”  Of course I believe in the importance of maintaining social relationships.  So, I am seriously asking myself today….what is it about Facebook that I hate?

• The Lingo–  Something about choosing to “like” my university seems casual to me.  I mean, I respect my school, but do I need to “like” institutions in the same way I like certain foods or shops?  This lingo brings an air of casualness to everything…and some things demand more respect than others.  Language is a living, changing entity and I agree that there is no need to hang onto outdated grammar simply under the name of propriety.  But the word “friend” can be misused when applied to hundreds of acquaintances.
• The Gossip–  When I walk into the teachers’ lounge for lunch and overhear a discussion of things read on fb, it sounds like superficial gossip.  I actually heard one teacher say it bothered her to snoop on her daughter’s friends pages and look at their family pictures and then talk to those people at the football game.
• TMI–  We are all annoyed by conversations that embarass us with private, intimate information or gory details on personal health issues.  Because fb is a fairly new medium, posting images and videos has pretty much exploded.  In a few years, people will no longer find it innovative to document their every move with digital photography because the novelty will (hopefully) have worn off.
• Trivia– I will admit I may have a mental block, but I have to say for the record, I have never learned anything on Facebook.  Although, I have heard stories of long lost relatives who found each other and reunited, the only significant fact I encountered was when a friend announced her pregnancy.  (I think I would have heard that somewhere else anyway.)  I have browsed through many sweet moments (which I thought were sappy) and witty comments (which wasted my time and made me feel like I could have been productive…there I go again all work and no play!) and nonsensical games (which made me “hide” people and feel very anti-social-just the opposite of a social network).
• Privacy– I know some individuals who have not joined fb for fear of lack of privacy or data-mining.  I do think it is important to be cautious and adjust privacy settings.  However, fb is not the only tool that accesses our personal information.  Changes brought about in the Information Age have come about more quickly than any individual can comprehend and it is difficult to understand  how to balance sharing online communication with personal privacy. This is one of the most important concepts that we must teach young people.
• Clutter– Moblie technology brings a tendancy for all of us to check into our online lives nonstop.  I understand the benefits (technology allows me to accomplish twice as much as before) and the risks (are we really present with others when we are on mobile devices?).  In my opinion, fb promotes inefficiency.  As the mountain of “friends” grows, the clutter of trivia is more likely to block relevant information.
• Commonality– Perhaps what irritates me the most about fb is that the uniqueness of each individual is not differentiated.  I do not speak the same way to each friend, each colleague, or each family member.  I believe we have unique relationships with individuals and groups.  What I say to one group is not the same as another.  I understand it is possible to customize fb and set up groups and maybe (if I get through this no-bashing year) I should look into customization.  We’ll see about that (did I mention that I HATE fb?)

I am feeling relieved to have ranted this one last time!  I didn’t mention that I find fb embarassing for the human race.  I need a new attitude!  I need a new outlook!  I need a new decade and (thank goodness)- today is the day.  Maybe in a year, I will have a completely different perspective.