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Commentary Editor Say the word Facebook. Listen to the response. More than likely, these two syllables elicit an aggravated response from the seasoned Facebook user if he or she has logged on in the past two weeks. Why the change? What could the adored Facebook possibly have done wrong? Perhaps the addition of the new, but infamous, News Feed causes the grumblings being heard around the world. Yes, the Facebook News Feed garnered national attention. Apparently, the Web community members feel the new feature invades their privacy. I failed to realize that posting personal information about yourself on a searchable, almost public, Internet community did not invite people to look into your life. I am sorry; I never made that distinction. I must admit the News Feed feature becomes a nuisance when I am simply trying to check messages. No, I do not care if Girl A breaks up with Boy B and she changes her status to “it’s complicated.” At least now, Facebook has an opt-out, and users can control what is posted on the News Feed. I suggest everyone de-select all the boxes. It is the most logical answer to reducing the clutter next to terminating the account altogether. Running the gauntlet to check messages may be less than entertaining, but what else can you expect in an age where privacy slowly morphs into an anachronism? Instead of continuously complaining about people having access to personal information, have discretion about what you make public. Facebook friends (strangers) cannot read what is not written.  Within all the muck and mire, lies a glimmer of hope: Maybe the Facebook traffic in the Writing Center will decrease. Being that so many Facebook users are angry with the Web site, students seeking help with assignments may now have a chance to use a computer. Have a comment? Please e-mail us. ŠThe Voice 2006 Revised 09/14/2006 11:05:03 PM— http://www.uamont.edu/Organizations/TheVoice/4_2/facebook.htm |
