Yes, there is the “look at me” aspect that some people use it for (there are folks I know on there with 1000 friends…now, come on!).
However, it does serve a useful purpose also. When something big happens in my life or a friend’s life, we can keep each other abreast of the latest. No, it doesn’t replace face-to-face contact (we’ll surely discuss it anyway next time we talk in person) but at least they don’t have to wait to find out – they know immediately.
I have also regained contact with many high school and college friends that I haven’t heard from in years…that alone is worth putting up the facebook profile, in my mind. I had no idea where these people had moved or what they were up to, but thanks to the magic of facebook I now know (classmates.com and mylife.com suck, by the way).
I have also found out things about friends via facebook that I would never have figured out otherwise….viewing their profile has revealed some interesting tidbits! Also, the photos give me a glimpse into what they hold dearest in their lives. Note many profile pics for women are of them *and* someone else (hubby/friend/kid) while most profile pics of men are of them and (if anything else is in the pic at all) maybe their motorcycle/boat/car. Interesting…
No, I don’t go posting that I’m going to be on vacation two weeks starting today, but it does fill a nice role and will be around for awhile…though I do suspect it will die down a bit and facebook may not be the final form it takes…facebook may become a has-been like myspace, friendster, and whatever the predecessors were called (see? I can’t even remember!).
Blogging? That’s a whole different topic and people do it for entirely different reasons.
