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Source: BU Today
Read Article

This article, written by BU College of Communications sophomore Brendan Gauthier, is a good insight into reasons why one would want to leave Facebook. I myself have been a victim of constantly clicking on the Facebook link on my bookmark toolbar and looking through photos and seeing what everyone else is doing. One day, it donned on me. I asked myself, “Why am I doing this? How much time am I wasting on Facebook?” I decided to do something about it and make a bold move. I removed Facebook not only from my bookmarks toolbar, but also from my bookmarks menu in general. The only ways I can get to Facebook now are by typing in the url (unfortunately it’s still a bookmark so merely typing “f” may do it) or by going to my bookmarks panel. Even though it still is in relatively easy access, it is nowhere near as convenient to go to it. Thus, I surf Facebook much less than I used to now.

I relate to some things that Gauthier says. For example, a chord immediately struck with me when he asked “why was I ‘friends’ with more than 300 people?“ and when he said ”I didn’t even know this person, yet I could tell you what she did last weekend.“ Really, Facebook ”friends“ are not friends in any version of the word. Sure, a few of them are; you know, your *real* friends. But everyone else is just socially connected to you just because you work for the same organization or go to the same school. And let’s face it: on a collegiate level, going to the same school don’t mean squat. I’ve always wondered why I’m friends with hundreds of people I don’t talk to. I’d love to cut them all from my list sometimes but then they get so insulted or offended. Why? It’s not like we talk anyway. I want to straight up deactivate my account, but I’m a little scared of the repercussions it may cause. I’d have one less way to keep in touch with people. But then again, aren’t e-mail, IM, and text messaging enough forms of contact? Why do I need another one? When I write on my blog, why can’t people just read it from here and not read it on Facebook if I post it there? I used to change my status to point out that I had a new blog post (whether it be here or on my poem blog), but I eventually stopped. The real, true readers will follow my blog, if they care enough.

Gauthier mentions that his withdrawal from Facebook has promoted to his becoming a New York Times junkie. I applaud that. I wonder if the lack of Facebook in my life now has allowed me to post more on both of my blogs (let’s face it: during the semesters I usually churn out almost nothing). I’m almost at the point of completely removing Facebook from my life. I would just need to press the deactivate button. It’s not helping my life in many ways socially, and people get to see things I don’t necessarily want them to see. So what’s the point?

Make sure you check out Gauthier’s take — it’s very well written and it’ll make you think.

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