Jurski: Facebook not worth time, energy

I do not have a Facebook.

I think it's logical reasoning on my part – I speak to my friends in person, via the phone or texting.  The people I want to talk to, I do.

But I have a real question for those consumed by the site.  What's the logic for having so many friends on Facebook?  What sort of meaningful interaction do you have with these people? 

I'm sure you have Facebook friends that never comment on your status, and you certainly don't comment on theirs.  So why bother if you're never looking at their page, or for that matter, have never even met them before?

We live in a society where people think you are who you're connected with.  It's bad enough to do this in person, but via the interweb is just sad.  You're friends with people for a reason, and Facebook kind blurs that line, really.

I also find it funny and sad that Facebook has been banned in several countries including China, Iran, Syria and Vietnam.  It's also been banned from many places of work to discourage employees from wasting time.

But one of the main reasons I decided to skip out on Facebook is simple.  I hate the line, ‘oh yeah, I think we're Facebook friends.' I also strongly dislike the line ‘oh, I'll just Facebook you.'

I almost think it's as silly as asking for someone's number and saying ‘I'll call you' and really having no intention other than just trying to be friendly towards them.

Plus, if I met you via Facebook or am limited to Facebook only interaction, I probably don't want to be friends with you, anyway.

It's also liberating.  I don't want to have to worry about hiding my life from my future employers, crazy ex-boyfriends or people who are really just that ‘strangely' interested in my life.  And I don't want to feel bad when I've skipped a day on the site and forgot your birthday or ignore your requests to play Farmville or Fishville.

Honestly, I'd rather be asked in person than via Facebook chat things about my life.  I'd rather a person stop me and ask what I'm listening to rather than check my music interests.  And I'd much rather a person find out more ‘about me' by getting to know me instead of just checking that section as well.

Yes, I know, I can hide all of these things on Facebook.  But then there's really no point to me having one, right?

The way I see it, though, is that Facebook isn't going anywhere.  But for now, I'm going to continue to talk to my well-connected group of friends whose relationship I value more than the number of Facebook friends I have

But it goes both ways.  In a way, what some people put on Facebook, I have no interest in. 

I don't care about how many pictures were taken of you this weekend while you were passed out on your floor, or that you just really love and can't live without your significant other.

I can see that in person when you look hungover in class or you're mackin' by Ward Science Hall.

I also don't need something else to be addicted to or waste time on.  On top of being addicted to shoes, caffeine and the fact I'm so easily distracted, I can't really juggle Facebook on top of that.

But it should be noted, I'm not doing it to be different. However, I realize that's probably what most people think about the situation.   But at least they're asking me in person why I decide not to conform to what society tells me I must have as a social lubricant.

Plus, if I get curious about someone on Facebook, you surely know things about their personal life and can tell me.