What have you learned about human nature from facebook?

1. 84

   Billie Kelpinposted 10 years ago

   What have you learned about human nature from facebook?
   
   Have you gleaned any insights from using Facebook - about others or about yourself?  I think I'm discovering some definite "do's" and "don'ts" related to what people want to hear about and don't want to hear about.  Since several former students have found me, I discovered how much of our past we lose and then can gain back from Facebook.  What have you found?

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2. 92

   Cre8torposted 10 years ago

   I don't know that I "learned" it from FB however it seems quite apparent that people do not like to be alone or feel alone at least. We also love to "share" our lives with anyone who will listen. Like so many other things in this world, it's a lot of fun when used properly.

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   1. 84

      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Cre8tor, recently I've been having a lot of fun on Facebook.  At first, not so much,but now I really enjoy the posts. I love the "'share'" our lives with anyone who will listen" part of your comment.  I think that's why story corps on NPR works well.

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3. 39

   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   I've discovered that if I want to have a positive outlook about humanity I should avoid Facebook lol.  I think people tend to get very self-absorbed there and I can only take so many people who chronically post "selfies" and complain constantly about their lives in their status.  I have to swallow the temptation to say "Find something constructive to do and quit whining". lol. I have one friend who has a new complaint every single day.  - usually they are not big deals in the grand cosmic scheme of things - but it's a daily rant.
   
   My husband's cousin recently was married - they are a same gendered couple and my husband "liked" their wedding status - to which one of his other friends felt the need to post "that's sad"... seriously?  I don't know, I think I would rather keep in direct contact with people that matter.  There's just too much childish behavior on FB.  I enjoy sharing pics and whatnot with distant family and friends - but that seems to be outweighed by political and religious rants, gossip, mean spiritedness and melodrama.  I lost my love for FB many months ago.

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   1. 84

      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Christin, aw, the "that's sad" comment is SUPER sad.  My experience is the opposite. Every body I'm friends with is doing great, looking great, going great places. But I'm getting used to the positive and learned NOT to post ANYTHING political

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4. 71

   Organised Kaosposted 10 years ago

   That people will say things they would never dare say, to another persons face.
   
   Keyboard cowboys are well known for bullying.

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   1. 84

      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      OK...Thanks.  I haven't experienced that.  We are connected to lots of family and dear friends, so I've never seen that with my FB.  I get a lot of "there's always something to be grateful for"  "celebrate" da,da,deda. love the term keyboard cowboys

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5. 87

   Bill Yovinoposted 10 years ago

   People are incredibly stupid. They re-post stories they've found on other peoples pages without spending one second to check if the stories are true.

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   1. 84

      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      ah... interesting - Seems to be a problem with all of us in the fast-food, drive-up window of information we seem to frequent.  Thanks, Bill (like the name

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6. 0

   mbuggiehposted 10 years ago

   I have found that Facebook offers the opportunity for people separated by geography to come together and form a community bonded not by place, but by interests. I find this refreshing and enjoyable.

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   1. 84

      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, mbuggieh, me too!

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7. 87

   Rock_njposted 10 years ago

   Nothing really new to be truthful.  Facebook just reinforces what we already know about human nature:  most people are self-absorbed and love to talk about themselves.  If they're not, then most likely they either aren't on Facebook or keep a low profile there. 
   
   One thing I find Interesting about Facebook is that it really makes you live in the past, as you encounter and reminisce with old friends that you would likely never encounter or talk about old times with if it wasn't for Facebook.  While it's nice to hear from old friends, I'm not so sure I like to live in the past, when my present is so much different than the past and the past is better being left alone in most cases.
   
   Another interesting thing about Facebook is that it has put me in touch with people that I really wasn't friends with in the past (like back in school days), but have grown to be friends with due to my contact with them on the social network.  That is certainly a positive aspect of using Facebook; expanding friendships beyond my original circle of friends.
   
   I could certainly live without Facebook.  It was new and exciting at first, but it has lost its glow and can be a drag at times.  But, it is easy to lay low for a while on Facebook or just ignore it and focus on the here and now.

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   1. 84

      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      R,  I feel exactly the same about Fb, especially recently since some people from 25 years and two careers ago found me.  I love old students who want to keep in touch,but sometimes it does feel like living in the past when my present is so different.

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8. 0

   cjaroszposted 10 years ago

   I have found that it makes a person seem more crazy. People are willing to say things on Facebook that they never would in person. Whether it mean or nice. Facebook offers no consequences for your actions. So people can say what they want.
   
   The ability to act. With anything online, you have no idea who the person is. Now most people have friends and family on their Facebook. Still they will right things and act like a completely different person.
   
   Drama central. It seems like nobody has the decency to keep things to themselves. The air out their " dirty laundry' for everyone to see. They say things about others that no one needs to know. They start fights and arguments.
   
   Even though, Facebook created a new way of interaction between people. It brought a whole new world of craziness with it. With that peoples have lost all since of dignity, respect, personal boundaries, protection, and the works.
   
   I think it has caused most people to overlook the rules of nature. Throwing things out the window.
   
   Its all about being cool. Posting pictures without knowing who is looking, talking to people you don't really know, talking like your the king.
   
   There are some people who do Facebook right. However, that is rarely the case with most people. Especially, the younger generation. Parents don't monitor like they should. Younger peoples tend to not care much about anything.

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   1. 84

      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      CJ, Your comment makes me wonder what I do on FB that might be offensive.  We just don't know how we come off, do we?  I think you're definitely right about the age thing - older people tend, I think, to be very supportive/kind to friends and family

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9. 36

   wqaindiaposted 10 years ago

   I could make friends with distant co-workers, school mates even after departing for 25 years or so. But before reviving such old friendships I prefer to call them, recognize by their voice or childhood memories. Only after verifying the friend through  "Know Your Friend" or KYF guidelines, I add them to my friends lists. But sometimes there are exceptions too when I make friends with even friends of friends or strangers from public if they do not spam my mailbox.

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   1. 84

      Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      W, Thanks for the KYF information.  I never knew that existed!

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10. 82

    Pamela N Redposted 10 years ago

    I have learned from many social media sites, not just Facebook, that when hidden behind a monitor people will tell things they wouldn't even tell their best friends much less total strangers.
    
    It never fails to amaze me the private things and pictures people share not considering that clients or employers may see them.

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    1. 84

       Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       "hidden behind a monitor"  great image.  I think it IS important to remember that co-workers and employers may judge you by the things you post - as in "I can't wait until we retire next year"

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    gitachudposted 10 years ago

    I think with Facebook and other social media sites people can get an audience that they could only dream of in real life. Human beings are social creatures who crave for attention like drug. Facebook also teaches us that people hate been criticised.

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    1. 84

       Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       G, very true, very true!  I love "people can get an audience that they could only dream of in real life".  Cute!  I often have felt more listened to on FB than in real life   Cheers to you! Thanks for stopping by.

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12. 89

    jemuelOposted 10 years ago

    Facebook widens your social connection. It enables the users (including the introverts) to become socially active and friendly. The site provides one of the best platforms on expressing feelings, thoughts and grievances - modern suggestion box I call it. Well, I just noticed that people only want to share every activity in their lives. I can really see that based from the several post on my news feed. People seem to be socially active these days irregardless of their location and race.

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    1. 84

       Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       J, Yours is a very positive view and I think that has been the intention of Facebook all along It DOES create an amazing avenue for social interaction, and as you mentioned, it gives introverts a voice! Interconnection that leads to understanding!

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13. 61

    old albionposted 10 years ago

    Hear all, see all, say nothing! An old saying but often useful at times.
    Graham.

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    1. 84

       Billie Kelpinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Graham, sometimes useful, I suppose.  My own family's mantra is hear all, see all, speak out, make a difference. There are times for silence, however.  Thanks for stopping by.

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