If you have been following this blog (and why wouldn't you), I am proud to update you that since my December 21, 2005 post, I have yet to subscribe to any cable television service provider. I have in fact completely shunned local television as well. We traded the monthly subscription for cable for something more practical, which is internet access at home (I came to accept the fact that in order for me to have some semblance of work life balance, I need to pay to be able to work at home sometimes).
One of the first things I did after having unregulated firewall free internet access was to succumb to the Facebook fad. Almost everybody has one. It's already integrated in mobile phones, PDAs and most social networking site. It has become so popular that even though companies block access to it because its counter productive, some employees still willingly risk their jobs by finding ways around the system to be able to login to their accounts. I just had to see what exactly the deal was.
So after spending some significant time seeing and reading posts in my recently created account, I came to realize that it’s actually a lot like television (or at least television as I knew it when I still had it almost 5 years ago). In fact, you can categorize user posts the exact same way you categories TV programs:
The Noon Time Show Posts: These are posts that provide mindless entertainment in the form of silly videos that somehow, as deemed by the person posting it, needs to be disseminated all across Facebook. Admittedly some are cool, while others are so senseless all that’s missing is a commentary from Willie Revillame.
The News Station Post: These days, I get my fill of current events just by checking out posts and reposts of news items friends share. My Facebook wall has actually evolved into a news paper and volunteer message board especially during the aftermath of typhoon Ondoy. I am sure a lot of mobilizations were put into action because of wall news feeds like these. Although sometimes I wish people would validate first if their posts are true, like that one time posts circulated that power will be cut off in anticipation of the storm after Ondoy. That sucked because it made me anxious all day in anticipation and it never did happen. But stuff like Congressman Mikey Arroyo allegedly buying liquor at the height of the flood, that’s ok, that dude deserved it.
The Love Radio Post: If you are not from the Philippines, I suppose this needs some explaining. Love Radio otherwise known as 90.7 FM is probably in my opinion the most annoying radio station this side of the planet. And the fact that it’s supposedly number one is very very disturbing for me. When I ride public transport and this station is on, it makes me just want to walk all the way to work. Particular disk jocks of this radio station say some of the stupidest things imaginable. And what’s worse is that they think they are the epitome of coolness and that they have contributed to the greater totality of human knowledge that they have shared their opinions over the air about some of the most mundane things. Some Facebook posts are like that. No wait, some are in fact, exactly like that.
The Music Channel Post: Marie Digby doing a home made video of Rhianna’s Umbrella, hey I can totally understand the need to have that shared and linked over Facebook. Marie Digby in a nice red shirt sharing a video of that time when a batch of her second album CDs got delivered at her home, I can definitely wait for that post to completely load. Seriously, I like the fact that my music page at Soundclick.com can be automatically linked to my wall every time I upload a new song I’ve made. Plus the fact that since I don’t have television, some musician friends get to post gig schedules and their own music videos on their page. I think that’s just really cool especially if you are a struggling artist or you just want to unselfishly share your craft to the world.
The Commercial Post: And since Facebook does reach a wide range of potential consumers, it’s not surprising that people peddle stuff on it as well. Its ok I guess, it depends who it comes from or if it’s done in moderation and you don't spam people with it. But otherwise posts like these are the equivalent of the Avon Lady showing up at your house in the middle of a dinner party.
The Game Show Post: I don’t understand Facebook applications enough to probably write about it, but from a newbie’s perspective, I don’t understand why I should get random score updates on what game some users are playing. I mean, in real life you don’t do that. “Hey everybody, including the ones I really don’t know all that well. I just friggin’ cleaned out my friends in a game of Pusoy Dos! Is that cool or what! Care to comment? Anybody? Anyone? Anybody at all? No? Ok, just thought I let you know. You can probably go back to what you were doing. Thanks.” And I also don't get why some people continue to take Facebook quizes only to question the results.
The Foreign Channel Post: There are posts that just don’t make sense, even if it’s in English or your native language. Some people think their random thoughts merits being broadcasted to the world, even if readers won’t have the slightest clue what it’s in reference too. I see those posts the same way I see foreign television channels in cable. You don’t care for it, but its there and it’s included in the bundled channel package when you subscribed to your cable provider. You just need to get the remote and flip pass by it.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Facebook. I like it mainly because like TV, I can lock out channels that have absolutely no value add. You can’t stop people from posting nonsense, it’s their right. If people like Willie Revillame think they can host a television noontime show, it shouldn't be surprising that people who can hardly weave a coherent logical phrase together think they have the right to post their thoughts on a social networking site and literally advertise that they don't get enough iodized salt in their diets.
But the good thing is, at a click of a button you can “Hide” these posts and be spared of the randomness. Yes, you can child proof your account. Oh, and you now know what the other great thing about Facebook is? It actually makes keeping in touch with close friends fun and a whole lot easier.
So get your laptop, sit lazily on the couch, login to your account and grab some popcorn. Because with Facebook, who needs television?
