Sunday, October 18, 2009

The Facebook Project


In order to test my dependence on the most popular social networking site, I restricted myself from using Facebook for an entire week. I logged off Saturday the 10th and did not log back on until Saturday the 17th. I found this restriction to be extremely challenging. The most difficult thing for me, was logging onto the internet, and not pressing the Facebook button that was preset on my toolbar. I was so used to my regular routine of checking my account frequently, that is was hard to resist. This made me realize how much I depend on Facebook. I use it subconciously. Whenever my computer is on, I am logged onto Facebook on another window.

Facebook affected my life in several different ways. I felt disconnected from the world. It made me anxious not knowing what pictures people recently uploaded, what comments people have left me, or how many people have been trying to communicate with me. When I finally logged onto facebook after a week, I discovered that I had 63 notifications. My notifications include friend acceptances, picture comments, and wall posts. In one week, I had 63 comments waiting for me. Another way Facebook withdraw affected me was that I no longer had a vice for procrastination. While writing an essay, there was no one who tried to Facebook chat me. Before doing my homework, I did not spend a half an hour procrastinating.

My dependence on Facebook became clear after this experience. I use it more frequently than necessary and I use it when I should be doing other priorities. I believe that avoiding Facebook helped me to focus on schoolwork, but avoiding Facebook negatively affected my communication with all of my friends. The most important thing that I, along with the entire world, needs to apply is that everything is beneficial with moderation. Less Facebook means more effective time spent doing homework and a little Facebook helps you communicate with anyone. :)

12 comments:

  1. Wow this is good stuff. You gave a lot of examples and explained all your points. Your argument was well supported as well as interesting. It is easy to relate to and scary to see how dependant we are haha
    Nice job!

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  3. This is very true and think it is kind of the same thing as with not using your cellphone.

    Bekah B

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  4. So are you going to continue to use Facebook as you did before the experiment, or will you change your Facebook habits? I'm curious to see what you do with this>>>> Good luck!

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  5. My plan is to use Facebook less and more specifically, to not use Facebook until I finish my homework. :)

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  6. What a great combination of analysis and creativity. Your One Card lab was a very interesting test of UNCSA social capital and all of your work was well presented and thoughtfully analyzed. Bravo.

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  7. I totally understand what you mean by it being subconcious. If my computers on, facebook always is too.

    -Christina Brooke

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  8. i am shamefully one of those people who automatically hit the facebook button when i open the internet. good job:)
    -Allegra

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  9. Love this!!! This lab has so much truth in it, I'm always procrastinating with facebook

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