So I couldn’t help but notice the other day that among the ninja changes that usually happen on Facebook was one in which the social networking app tries to be just a little bit more helpful and considerate towards the friends you have on your list. Some of the suggestions it makes include getting people started, connecting with others, and in the case of this picture, finding more friends for folks.
I have to say, this has really sent the Facebook app to a whole other level in terms of the consideration it is giving to your friends and you. How can you call something like trying to find friends for the people who don’t whore themselves out to everyone they’ve ever chatted with pretentious? Clearly this is Facebook’s way of being kinder and gentler, not of trying to tell you that the way to use the application is to make sure as many people as possible see that picture of your privates from last night’s party.
Sure, some people might see the fact that Facebook suggesting your photo-less friends need more profile pics as jerky, but c’mon – who doesn’t want to see who gained the Freshman Fifteen and the Post-Grad Paunch? On Facebook, they totally encourage you through their multitude of shovelware apps and monkey-written self-tests to just be yourself and let it all hang out. Saying that people should be helped into “getting started” (and by getting started that means hurrying up and posting 10 notes about 20 Things About You, Your Friends, And Your Dog’s Poop) isn’t pushy, it’s more like a gentle nudge.
So folks, don’t forget to check your sidebar next time for a helpful suggestion from Facebook to make your friends less lame in its eyes. Who knows – they might get a suggestion about doing the same for you. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
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I particularly liked the part where it wanted me to reconnect with people who died.
/snicker
I’m one of those friendless byotches, and I like it that way!
Having just succumbed to the pressure of Facebook and why, exactly, I wasn’t on it … I am a less-than-two-week user. It is a huge time sink. I freely admit that beyond console games and the countless hours I play WAR … I am a big fan of Amusement Park and FarmVille. Yep. (I blame my wife!)
There sure are folks who seem to have a lot of “friends”. Sure. I can see how easy it is to “friend” people just for the sake of it. And really, who wants to decline someone who extends their hand in friendship?
That said … I’m over the newness and the willy-nilly adding of friends. So I’m a bit more selective. See how long that lasts.
Friends do tend to get a little lost in the shuffle after the first few. I have over 250, and I can honestly say I know maybe a little over half of them real well. But I’m one of those social butterfly type persons – online and offline. I’m sure you all figured that out though.
Frank? A social butterfly? NO WAY!