Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Listen, Facebook. It's not you, it's me. I want to break up.

A friend sent me a link to this fantastic post on why you should quit Facebook.  I'm not even slightly tech savvy, so I have to admit that a few of the reasons you should quit Facebook were over my head.  Since the author focused primarily on the technical/privacy aspects of Facebook, I'm adding two reasons of my own.  It is because of these two reasons that in thirty days, I'm taking the plunge.  I'm breaking up with Facebook.

1. Facebook is misogynistic.  Their tendency to allow sexualized images of women and to ban images of empowered women is not a mistake.  It is the atmosphere they have crafted.  If the virtual community of Facebook were a work environment, they would be sued regularly for sexual harassment.

2. Facebook is making money off of you.  And me.  And by continuing to stand by and accept their sexism, their privacy violations, and their big-brotherish bullying, we are saying "okay."  I make a point of sending my money in the direction of companies that I respect.  Companies with corporate values and social responsibility.  Since Facebook is a massive fail in these categories, I'm moving my consumer voice elsewhere.

I'm not going to sit here and say "okay" any more.  I'm creating an exit strategy, and I'm leaving.  Facebook isn't the only gig in town.  Sure they're huge.  But only because we allow them to be.

***

I started a Facebook page called "In thirty days, I'm breaking up with FB."  I had to use FB because fittingly, Facebook would not allow me to use "Facebook" in the name of my group.  I'm guessing Facebook might remove the group, or me, before I finish my thirty day exit strategy, but it's worth a try.  On the page, I will be detailing my plan for departure.  I'm certain that life exists both before, and after, Facebook.

***

(about 45 minutes later)
Having second thoughts.  Do I NEED Facebook for the sake of my blog?  Have deleted my "breaking up with FB page" while I mull this over.

7 comments:

Sades said...

Hmm, I'm with you on this one, I deleted it once before, but unfortunately they saved all my info and I was sucked back in. I think I may indeed take the plunge again.

Paige @ Baby Dust Diaries said...

This weighs on me. I use facebook for work and family and my blog. But we boycott other companies that disrespect humanity why not FB?

Did you see this? I thought of you right away: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/03/facebook-sex-obsessed-sur_n_561440.html

Lauren said...

Facebook seems to suck time away from me so I recently had a friend change my password so I couldn't go on, at least until finals are over. But I am enjoying it thus far. Although continuing to fight the man from the inside might work well. :)

averagemother said...

I admire you and i wish to do the same thing! The only issue it truly keeps me in touch with my family. Thank you ill go looking for your page!! xo

Anonymous said...

Fortunately, you are my home page, so I will still get your blog posts every day.

xoxo

Ursula

TheMinimalistLife said...

I stopped using FB for the past 6 weeks and got a lot more done! I re-signed in and just left my family on my friends list as a lot of my family lives in other states so I do use it to chat with them a lot online.

I've cut down my time a LOT the last few weeks, but it is nice to show them my son's pictures and be able to chat. I have closed it multiple times before, and I like the "suspend" feature. I just leave only my name on the personal information part. thats it!

Pacific Point Parents said...

Have you seen this?...

http://www.theprovince.com/mobile/technology/internet/Quitting+Facebook+like+escaping+cult/3028083/story.html