Look, it’s not that we’re complaining. We love Facebook, but it’s just … well, we’d like to see a few things stop … before it ruins the fun for everyone.
Invitations
Let’s just get this out of the way. Facebook invites have gotten out of control. What began, in theory, as a convenient substitute for the evite has morphed into mass-spamming / shameless self-promotion tool for anyone and everyone with a garage band, Mary Kay affiliation and/or inexplicable need to alert the city that Friday Cheers happens on Fridays.
Business Promotion
It’s a given that the line between personal and professional has been blurred by Facebook, but a business page is one I can "like" and peruse occasionally; a friend page is for a person. Please use appropriately.
Ever-Changing Privacy Settings
Facebook, you’re exhausting us with the privacy settings changes. We all want to keep all of our pictures private-to-friends-only unless we each personally call Mark Zuckerberg and tell him otherwise. OK?
Political Arguments
Dear friends, I appreciate our differences. I like that we don’t agree on everything under the sun, and I value and respect your beliefs and opinions, but please stop using my Facebook page as a place to air them. My status update that I was at the supermarket was not meant as an invitation for you to type out an anti-corporation manifesto; and while I might not personally shop at Walmart, the mere fact that my aunt mentioned that she does was no reason to call her $^&@*& fascist pig scum. She’s old, and it’s close to her house, that’s all.
Dislike Button
It’s needed. Please see above.
‘Friends’
We’ve all seen the movie; the origin of Facebook was to connect with "friends." It even says so right there on the request button – send "Friend" request. But now Facebook is much more than friends – it’s family, professional contacts, clients and business "fan" pages. Either limit our use to friendships-only, or let us organize our "friends" into appropriate categories.
Professional Connections
Facebook is supposed to be for friends - see above! Just because we were in the same Webinar, it doesn't mean I want you knowing my weekend plans. That said, if you want to be friends, I'm in. But then let's agree to skip the LinkedIn.
Moms
I don't mean my mom. She's perfect. I'm just saying, I've heard, anecdotally, that perhaps some people's moms are embarrassing the life out of them on Facebook. My mom, the way you post all messages as a status update, even the ones complaining about me and/or my childhood IN ALL CAPS .... adorable.
Bosses
Bosses, do not friend your staff. Please don’t.
Stalking
Facebook, let's be honest. You're built for stalking; you're used for stalking. If I need to access ... say, that guy I sat next to in third period in the 7th grade, let me search that way! I don't know where he lives now. Or what he does now. I know where he was then. I need those search parameters.
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