The Craze of Facebook, Part 1

I joined Facebook my senior year of high school (2005-06) and only about five people were in my network. I'd spread the word about it, and nobody seemed to care. I entered college and--WHOA! All of a sudden I'm making Facebook friends as fast as I talk. Even my former peers who could care less were on.

When school first began, I could say that I didn't get on Facebook that often. Over the course of four weeks, I have become a Facebook addict.

My symptoms include staying up all hours of the night making updates, inviting friends, and writing on walls. One night, I even had my sister up with me on Facebook.

"You know, Rachel, one of the signs of addiction is that you begin to hurt others."

My sister needs her sleep. (I, however, seem to be unconsciously trying to see how many consecutive nights I can go to bed after midnight.)

Another symptom of my addiction is that I try to justify my use of Facebook by claiming it is useful and productive. I'll touch more on this after this next paragraph.

You know, I'm not sure if I can explain how I moved from being an occasional Facebook user to an almost everyday user. I think it is like taking something out of context. I used to have Facebook in the correct perspective, but now I act like it is a ringing phone that must be answered. It is a paradox of sorts (like how cell phones are supposed to be more convenient and time-efficient but for many just complicate their lives).

Do we really want to be so "connected" that we have no time for solitary reflection? No time to sort out our own thoughts and gear them toward the Supreme? (There is even a network for movie lovers to find out if they are "movie compatible" with their friends.) The most productive social activity we can partake of is Christian fellowship. It seems we are more concerned with getting ourselves out there on the social map than with what is in us. After all, we need to strive for the balanced life. A social life is good, even necessary, but it should be kept within its boundaries as with the rest of the aspects of life.

The question is this: How much intimacy with friends can you really achieve through online networks like Facebook? I'll discuss this in "The Craze of Facebook, Part 2."

By the way, Chris Carpenter was awarded the N.L. Player of the Week (sponsored by Bank of America) for the record-tying third time this season. Woo-hoo!