5 Replies to “Why I left Facebook”

  1. I used Facebook before anything else, but I was on FB in 2004. As I became more familiar with the web, I gradually relied on Facebook less and less. The culmination of all of their "features" I didn't like and the trouble they have had making changes has pushed me off of it.

    I agree that part of the privacy issue falls on the users and them not realizing what is public (see Openbook). But part of that responsibility is on Facebook to say very explicitly "Hey, the whole world can see this status/photo/comment. Are you OK with that?" I think the lack of understanding on both sides of the fence is a big problem.

  2. I'll miss being able to give you a virtual high five and hug. The trouble I see with extricating yourself from Facebook is that you become a bit of a non-person. It is an opportunity to connect — even if that connection is not as authentic or meaningful as you might prefer, it is a connection nonetheless — from which you are purposefully insulating yourself.

    1. Great point Dan. It is an opportunity to connect. There are literally hundreds of "opportunities to connect" everyday with new and interesting people online (forums, social networks, blog comments) and in real life (organizations, meetups, bars). We each weigh the values of these opportunities and choose the ones we feel might bring us the best value for our time. In my case, I think other opportunities are much more valuable than Facebook. On Facebook, while you can connect, it seems more and more that people spend time just browsing and playing games rather than taking part in conversations.

      I'm not in search of a large quantity of connections (that's easy). I'm looking for the high quality ones, and Facebook doesn't make that list.

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