My Face, no longer in the Book

I recently deactivated my facebook account and have gotten several different responses. My friend Alyce simply said, "good for you." Another friend, Matt, was seriously concerned that we might never speak again (we work together 2 or 3 days a week). My brother, on the other hand, had a positive response, but wondered why.

Here's why: Facebook is an excuse. Its an excuse to be antisocial because your "friends" are all at your fingertips. Why see them in person when you can chat/creep them all at the same time?! It is an excuse to not be verbal. I was beginning to use facebook as a meeting place for groups I am in charge of or messages I need to let people know. Why wasn't I just talking to people face to face? It is also an excuse not to be forward with other people. It is possible to have an entire relationship with someone over the internet now. You can ask them out by changing you status and asking them to change theirs. You can chat with them, leave messages on their profile wall, and even draw interactive pictures for them. You can even tell your life story through pictures, notes, and quiz results. Even before you have a relationship with someone, you have put vague little hints on your status just asking for someone to comment on them. Or you could just "like" everything the other person ever types.

I'm tired of it.

Facebook is also a distraction. Lately, facebook has been distracting me from papers, work, grad school applications, God and frankly life.

I am hoping that this "drastic" change will cause people to have more conversations with me in person. I enjoy  human relationships with friends...electronic ones just don't cut it.

I don't know how long this will last, who will be upset, or who will even notice, but I feel a bit freed for the moment. So, good bye facebook. Hello, world!