Is Facebook Worth Rejoining for Academic Connections?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of whether rejoining Facebook is worthwhile for making academic connections, particularly in the context of loneliness and the desire for intellectually stimulating conversations. Participants explore the social dynamics of Facebook, its potential benefits and drawbacks, and personal experiences related to social interaction and academic engagement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration with Facebook's culture, citing ignorance and narcissism, while also feeling lonely and missing intellectual conversations with friends from their previous university.
  • Another participant argues that the experience on Facebook depends on the user's connections, suggesting it can be a useful tool for maintaining relationships and staying informed about friends' activities.
  • A different participant contemplates reinstating their Facebook account as a means to combat feelings of depression and isolation, indicating a desire for more meaningful social interactions.
  • One post mentions a family member's experience with Facebook, highlighting the impact on social life and the necessity of being active on the platform to maintain connections.
  • Several participants express skepticism about Facebook, with one referring to it as a "surveillance project" and questioning the need to engage with immature users.
  • Another participant suggests finding hobbies or university societies as alternatives to Facebook for socializing with like-minded individuals.
  • One participant reflects on the futility of trying to make friends based solely on intelligence, advocating for enjoying the company of those who bring joy, regardless of their intellectual capacity.
  • There are repeated mentions of the negative behaviors observed on Facebook, with suggestions for managing one's feed to avoid unwanted content.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a range of views on the value of Facebook, with some advocating for its use as a social tool while others express strong reservations about its culture and implications. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on whether rejoining Facebook is beneficial.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying degrees of personal experience and emotional responses to social media, indicating that individual circumstances significantly influence their perspectives on Facebook.

Aero51
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After being absolutely frustrated with the ignorance and narcissism (and perhaps you are familiar with the all knowing tweenage preachers?) of facebook, I deleted it last Christmas. I've been feeling pretty good about not having it around, but I am lonely...very lonely. I have only 2 friends here at my new university and non of them are nearly as passionate and interested in their work as I am. Nor are they as curious about the world. This difference in values really makes it hard to talk about anything intellectually stimulating. Yeah, jokes are fun, going out to bars and checking out pretty girls can be fun too, but when I comes down to it I can never talk about anything (not sure how to categorize) "smart". Its starting to get to me.

This is where facebook comes in: at my old university I was in the clique of the really passionate, hard working, achievers and I really miss talking to my old buddies about engineering and science. Activating my facebook would be a great opportunity to connect with old friends but I really don't want to deal with all the garbage described above. Not to mention it is a huge time sink (alas, with no source term - that was a potential flow joke :)).

Help sway my opinion.


As an aside. I find this dichotomy very interesting. In most science major social groups, you either get the very academic oriented but socially challenged students, or the socially savy, but less academically oriented (note this is not a statement about talent, this is a statement of values).
The academically oriented socially savy student seems to be uncommon.
 
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The experience you get on Facebook is really down to you. If you only have people you like on it then what's the problem? IMO it's a fantastic tool for keeping in touch with people, not only your friends you don't live/work with anymore but also people you wouldn't have thought of keeping up with. Not only does it make direct conversation easier (and more casual) but it keeps you up to date with what your friends are doing keeping you somewhat in the loop.

Incidentally I know plenty of people who are academically and socially minded. Indeed that probably describes the majority of my friendship group.
 
I may reinstate the facebook. The only reason I go out now is because its the only surefire thing that will combat my depression and give me an outlet for my mania. I am naturally introverted but learned to be an extrovert after realizing I want friends, girlfriends, and other meaningful relationships in my life. My problem is that I can very easily shut myself out from society without meaning too. This is why I sometimes let my friends peer pressure me into hanging out.


I guess I'm looking for something more meaningful? Life certainly has changed this year.
 
My daughter is an on again, off again facebook user. It pisses her off that her social life takes a bit of a dive when she's off of it. But, it seems that's just the way it is nowadays. You have to put yourself out there (she's an introvert).
 
I see no reason to sign up for the Facebook surveillance project.
 
Why don't you try and find some hobbies you can do with others? Most universities have a whole bunch of societies. That way you could socialise with people who share your interests and not have to feel peer pressure in doing what your friends want.
 
I don't use facebook (I typed phacebook for some reason just now, no idea why), but I hear people complain about immature people on facebook (wow just did it again), and it makes me wonder why they even have access to people like that. If you only associate with people you know and like on facebook, how are the stupids butting into your lives?
 
leroyjenkens said:
I don't use facebook (I typed phacebook for some reason just now, no idea why), but I hear people complain about immature people on facebook (wow just did it again), and it makes me wonder why they even have access to people like that. If you only associate with people you know and like on facebook, how are the stupids butting into your lives?

I do the same kind of spell-botching! Started a few years ago. Weird isn't it?

I hope *not* to meet you as a fellow patient in the dementia ward a few years from now, leroy :wink:.
 
Some of my friends I've known for years are pretty stupid. Some girls I try to meet I add them.
 
  • #10
I've found that trying to make friends based on their supposed intelligence (only insofar as you can determine) is pointless. It's really just as simple as sticking around the people whose company you enjoy. This can include people with whom you can conduct intellectual conversations and debates (there's one kid who's really only an acquaintance of mine, but we absolutely love discussing politics and just about anything), or just people who can make you laugh.

I think we're all too aware of the obnoxious Facebook preaching, and all of the other moronic behavior that occurs on FB, but just hover your mouse over that particular person's name, and then click the button that stops their posts from appearing on your news feed. Problem solved.
 
  • #12
jhae2.718 said:
I see no reason to sign up for the Facebook surveillance project.

hmmm... What does Facebook have to say about stubbornness?

​
 
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