ElderChicks

I’ve been a Facebook user since 2008…started cautiously but soon became an enthusiastic poster/reader/advocate. One of my friends, in trying to describe Facebook’s appeal, remarked that at its best, it’s like walking down a street populated by people and groups you know and exchanging greetings…at whatever level of detail you choose. I am in touch with people all over the world, either through personal friendships or mutual participation in groups with a particular interest. My hometown group shares information about upcoming events, local businesses, lost pets, and such things as what roads/bridges are blocked…very helpful! I can keep up with events in the lives of many more people than I ever could by telephone or even email. Relatives and friends I seldom see are a regular part of my life through Facebook. I’ve been able to maintain friendships with people as I’ve moved, or as they have moved. I’ve renewed acquaintance with people from my long ago past (for good and not so good).

Problems experienced with Facebook are easily manageable. If I don’t want to see the political/religious rants that folks sometimes post, I can block or hide. I set my security level where I want it to be and I never post anything that I would worry about being shouted from the courthouse steps. If someone wants to steal my wrinkled, grey image for nefarious use, they are welcome to it! Posting personal attacks, inappropriate jokes, or sharing information about other people that they prefer kept private is a breach of common courtesy, of course, and would lead to a quick “unfriend.” But in general, it seems to me that the issues associated with Facebook are just human issues…magnified by the public nature of the medium, but just a reflection of people being people, with all our warts and glory.