The thing about facebook is that those still using it are the same people that got a rush from having huge friends lists when it first got big. That had consequences. Facebook has preconditioned people to see their actual real world friends just as disposable/replaceable as those hundreds of digital friends the platform gave them. In that state of mind, you do not need to have patience or respect for other people and talking down to others becomes the norm. If they lose a few friends trying to impress the masses, it is seen as a net positive. What people don't realize is that, in the process, the limited number of real friends they can count on in the real world are reducing in numbers proportionately and this makes them all the more miserable and in need of a personal boost online.
They say there is 6° of separation between anyone on earth due to social media. In other words, people were interconnected enough through friends lists that one person could reach any other person on earth via 6 friends of friends, How many friends do you have? LOL
Not to get all political, but Facebook knows this is happening, and they promote it because it tears us apart. That's why I left.
I have a few forums I am on. Almost all of the forums I'm on are great, people doing their best to come together and fix a problem someone else is having. Or someone parts with something another member needs/ wants/ will use. Only one of my forums has an issue with the occasional argument, they are good enough to keep those contained to the thread that they started in. This I the only place where I have not found an outright argument, a few slightly heated yet healthy discussions, but nothing more. This is also the most indepth technologically advanced forum I am in.
The other 2 I frequent are the Cummins forum (for my truck), and golfbuzz.com ( for my golf addiction).
As far as Facebook, I still have my account, I'm there so little that I'm really only using it for marketplace. I've found some good deals there.
As far as friends, my 'friends' list is divided into 3 large sections, there are subsections. Acquaintances, I like, get along with, and want to hang out with. Asshole buddies, the group I'm around most of the time who have a similar sense of humor, and are up for most anything within reason.
Family, those select few people who have been in my life for more than 10 years, who still show up from time to time, talk like we saw each other last week, are always willing to help out when called upon, and have been like family to me. A few of those have included me in their family gatherings, like Christmas, or tell me to stop by whenever I'm in the area. Like family expects you to do.
The numbers shrink the higher you climb the ladder. In high school, I would hang out with a different group of friends every couple of weeks, after a while I discovered those who wanted me around and those who were indifferent. I gravitated to those that wanted me around, and did my best to bring a few others with me to that group. Now, I don't care, if you want to be around me, can accept me for all my warts, and issues, we'll get along. Especially if you have a warped sense of humor, can dish out some good insults from time to time in a joking manner, and take some as well.
