36 replies to this topic

[ecieee]

I have been fbing for about 2 years now, and it has literally become overwhelming for me.
I fb-stalk people for hours and I feel really guilty for spending my time on useless crap.
I reckon I have grown too fond of fb that I am virtually abusing it. I should stop!

So you think facebook is a good tool? Especially for youngsters like us?

Edited by ecieee, Aug 13, 2011 - 15:58.

[Sandwich]

I'm not sure asking whether Facebook is necessary is a very good question. I mean, of course it's not necessary. Nothing beyond food, water and shelter from harsh conditions is really necessary. Unless you qualify this question or say what you mean a little better, it seems to me that there's only one answer: No.

[Arrowhead]

Personally, I think Facebook has its uses. I can chat with my friends when we're separated by oceans pretty easily (but then again I can do that even better on Skype and such).

But I can happily live without Facebook. I maybe check fb in the morning to see if its someone important's birthday on the day, if it is, then I can call them (or Wall them, depending). Beyond that, I don't really care for fb except for the occasional email or dialogue with someone which I respond to in the morning itself.

I don't think I've ever stalked someone for more than 10 minutes once in while, very rarely. I tend to get bored, but maybe that's because I'm too invested in myself to care about others

But yeah, I think Facebook is necessary for certain socially connecting reasons and entrepreneurial endeavours, its a wonderful media to spread information and gather followers (as is Twitter I guess). But beyond that, I think you can very much spend 5-10 minutes on Facebook a day and that's really all you need to do, which is healthy IMHO.

Now Youtube, that's the Devil sent tool of procrastination.

Edited by Arrowhead, Aug 13, 2011 - 15:55.

[ecieee]

Sandwich, on Aug 13, 2011 - 15:50, said:

I'm not sure asking whether Facebook is necessary is a very good question. I mean, of course it's not necessary. Nothing beyond food, water and shelter from harsh conditions is really necessary. Unless you qualify this question or say what you mean a little better, it seems to me that there's only one answer: No.

I probably phrased it wrong - I was talking more about the uses that it has. Okay, not 'necessary'.
For instance, my friend argues that FB is really useful for her because when she uses fb on her iphone it is virtually like a free text message for her - she can message others who have fb mobile and they'll get an instant pop up notice that functions exactly like a text message. Of course I am disregarding the cost involved in wire-less/ 3G cellular network service.

[Soiboist]

Arrowhead, on Aug 13, 2011 - 15:51, said:

Now Youtube, that's the Devil sent tool of procrastination.

I actually reckon the opposite. Youtube has a lot of uses: watching interesting lectures; news available easily; highlights from TV programmes that would otherwise take days to plough through; and the exchange of culture that arises when all the world produces media together. If you would procrastinate, you would most likely learn something. That is not the case with Facebook.

[U Mirin' Braahhhh?]

Soiboist, on Aug 13, 2011 - 16:27, said:

Arrowhead, on Aug 13, 2011 - 15:51, said:

Now Youtube, that's the Devil sent tool of procrastination.

I actually reckon the opposite. Youtube has a lot of uses: watching interesting lectures; news available easily; highlights from TV programmes that would otherwise take days to plough through; and the exchange of culture that arises when all the world produces media together. If you would procrastinate, you would most likely learn something. That is not the case with Facebook.

If you've got friends on Facebook, there will always be someone who you know can help you with school stuff. It can be better for someone who wants to ask questions and has doubts about something. You cannot search on Youtube for you exact doubt, if you get what I mean.

Facebook for me, is something that is quite necessary these days. Not because it's essential to life but because other people use it. It's a cliché to have people saying that "I use Facebook because my friends do". Well, that's what it's meant to be. If you don't use Facebook, you'll miss loads of so-called important things, mostly birthdays. Facebook has its uses for being able to gather everything on one unique place and with the recent addition of the Facebook mail, videocalling (which is currently unavailable for those who want to download it - don't know why), the whole new messages thing - which in fact, is a brilliant idea even though I don't like it much; and finally the facebook mobile messenger.

It's because of this that Facebook is not just one common social network which only allows you to stalk others' profiles and maybe talk to them or post on their wall.

Now, it's obvious that it makes you "waste" time. Everything does - even going to the toilet lol. But it's a matter of how important your Facebook use is and what you do with it

[Soiboist]

Apolo, on Aug 13, 2011 - 17:31, said:

Soiboist, on Aug 13, 2011 - 16:27, said:

Arrowhead, on Aug 13, 2011 - 15:51, said:

Now Youtube, that's the Devil sent tool of procrastination.

I actually reckon the opposite. Youtube has a lot of uses: watching interesting lectures; news available easily; highlights from TV programmes that would otherwise take days to plough through; and the exchange of culture that arises when all the world produces media together. If you would procrastinate, you would most likely learn something. That is not the case with Facebook.

If you've got friends on Facebook, there will always be someone who you know can help you with school stuff. It can be better for someone who wants to ask questions and has doubts about something. You cannot search on Youtube for you exact doubt, if you get what I mean.

On Facebook you are friend with Alexandre Eduardo Sousa Pinto and José Silva Correia Mendes. On Youtube I am friend with Bill Gates and Mohandas Gandhi.

Edited by Soiboist, Aug 13, 2011 - 18:07.

[U Mirin' Braahhhh?]

If it satisfies you to have people who won't interact with you, it's fine. It's never the same to learn from those who are close to you and can point out stuff so that you can improve

Oh and I forgot, there's the Facebook Pages, which I doubt that any person who wants to have followers doesn't have. So yeah, it can even have a more potential use than Youtube

Edited by Apolo, Aug 13, 2011 - 20:29.

[kim luffy]

It aids in procrastination. But i guess it's good to lay off some steam after a hard day in school or after doing your IA's and interact with people since they say IB doesn't allow students to have a social life

[Puddy]

I think that it's easy to love and get used to, especially if you have a lot of friends but as to whether it is necessary, I don't think so. Like someone above said, it's not like food or water,. It isn't like one cannot live without it, but it's an advantageous site, for those who have the time for it.

[Emy Glau-ski]

I'll admit it: I love Facebook. And although I do a lot of "useless" things on there (Facebook chat, games, etc.) Facebook is great for other things. It's easy to keep in contact with friends who live out of state or in another country. One could argue that you could always call them on the phone, but you can't do that with photos or videos. I keep in contact with one of my aunts this way. I even sent her pictures of when I got my hair high-lighted through Facebook. Also, my school's National Honor Society sends out volunteer opportunities and meeting information on Facebook, which is easy to access. At school, it's hard to hear the announcements over a talkative class. And like some others said, it can be good for businesses looking to attract customers. This one person I know advertized his photography business on Facebook, and now he has hundreds of followers on there. Same with musicians. Start small, get recognized, and it goes from there.

[haley.the.great]

Soiboist, on Aug 13, 2011 - 18:06, said:

Apolo, on Aug 13, 2011 - 17:31, said:

Soiboist, on Aug 13, 2011 - 16:27, said:

Arrowhead, on Aug 13, 2011 - 15:51, said:

Now Youtube, that's the Devil sent tool of procrastination.

I actually reckon the opposite. Youtube has a lot of uses: watching interesting lectures; news available easily; highlights from TV programmes that would otherwise take days to plough through; and the exchange of culture that arises when all the world produces media together. If you would procrastinate, you would most likely learn something. That is not the case with Facebook.

If you've got friends on Facebook, there will always be someone who you know can help you with school stuff. It can be better for someone who wants to ask questions and has doubts about something. You cannot search on Youtube for you exact doubt, if you get what I mean.

On Facebook you are friend with Alexandre Eduardo Sousa Pinto and José Silva Correia Mendes. On Youtube I am friend with Bill Gates and Mohandas Gandhi.

Really? Then I'm friends with Gregory Gorgeous.  

In all seriousness, each has its usefulness and each has its uselessness. Now more than ever, with more easy distractions than ever, I believe it's essential for us to learn to manage our time effectively. Facebook and Youtube are both mediums to foster the development of communication, time management, individuality and lots of other important skillz! Ya we can even lern 2 grw virtual croppppzzz...

But like an above poster said, it's what you make of it. Let it take over your life and it's become an issue. Spend a healthy amount of relaxation time on Facebook and you're fiiiine...it's not "necessary" but I'm glad we have it. It's facilitated my life more than I'd care to admit..

[C.James]

Face book is a tool, Youtube is a tool, IB survival  is a tool, my microwave is a tool, a bicycle is a tool, a pencil is a tool, a car is a tool, a door is a tool.

What do these all have in common? They can all be used for productive and unproductive purposes. All depends on the user.

The argument, "I waste time on face book therefore face book is bad" is an outrageous non sequitur as a logical analogy would be “I waste time rolling pencils off my desk, therefore pencils are bad”.

To be frank a less illogical conclusion would be “I waste time on face book, therefore I lack self-control and discipline.”

[TurtleR]

Facebook makes it REALLY easy to waste time, but you have to control yourself.

The advantage with facebook is that it CAN be similar to email. You can send it and check it at any time that is convenient to you. The thing about facebook is that it makes it easier to share stuff, or include multiple people in different ways, but the best part I like about facebook is that it similar WORKS faster than email. I've loaded up email many times, and maybe its my computer/internet connection, but sometimes it just doesnt load. But despite this, facebook still usually works.

I think facebook should cut down on some stuff such as games, chat, etc, but the truth is, it makes networking SO much easier.

[Trololol Marf]

Relative to other tools then, Facebook is not a useful tool. It's mere purpose is to keep in touch with your friends and family. It's main purpose is not of that to assist one's work.

I guess a lot of things can be useful. (the internet) What matters is how you use them, and if you are using them effectively and efficiently. In academic terms, Facebook is not very useful. As the above poster states, it works faster than email; it is like an integrated IM-email social network. But let's face it. Serious matters are discussed much more on email, and if you are looking for speed, IM programs are you best friend. Facebook is just a recreational purpose.

[ShootingStars]

Facebook is great for many things. Keeping in touch with people in other countries. Keeping in touch with friends from school. Making events. Remembering everyones birthday. For all the curious people out there, to know who said what to who! Sharing photos easily and efficiently. Is it necessary? Well, we didn't always have it, remember!? And I strongly believe that one day we won't, we'll have something else...

It's addictive, sure. Many people waste lots of time on there. But if you find it distracting, deactivate for a while. You won't miss it if you're not on it every day. Or limit your time on it to half an hour every day. Start slow.

[Desy Glau]

I like facebook. it connects people, really. I even use it to contact my teachers because my teachers don't always check their email, only occasionally. and it makes sharing information among classmates easier, if there's any important information or anything. it's useful.

[Arrowhead]

C.James said:

Face book is a tool, Youtube is a tool, IB survival is a tool, my microwave is a tool, a bicycle is a tool, a pencil is a tool, a car is a tool, a door is a tool.

My sister can be a tool.

[Ezak]

If you are able to use it without getting sort of addicted it really is a wonderful thing.

[khalid]

I think using a little bit of Facebook is good, to socialize and communicate with others. But when it comes to 2 hours day, then you know it becomes a waste and your not focusing on your IB. At first you will have trouble to cope with using a little bit of facebook, but you will get used to it