Changing My View on Facebook

Now this is a story all about how,
My Facebook view got flipped, turned upside down
And I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there
I’ll tell you how I liked a page called Bel-Air

So, way back in the day when I was in college the internet was a newish thing. Not brand new but new in gaining popularity and widespread use when commercials would still end with “visit our interweb site at w (pause) w (pause) w (pause) DOT welovepuppies DOT (pause) com.”

On my collegiate debate team we were united in our goal to annoy our coach Brett O’Donnell to the extent that team members would create Facebook groups to mock him. Thus, why I joined Facebook back when it was thefacebook.com and only college students could join.

I’ve always viewed The Facebook as a social tool, first to stay in touch with friends from college across the country, then as a great stalking tool and eventually a way for my mother to see I had not been killed since I didn’t call her today because, see, I posted a status update.

I did not want to use Facebook for my business, to promote products or “like” anything

Some of this came from the very real annoyance when I see “Amy likes eating, sleeping, breathing, smiling, laughing and the cool side of a pillow in the morning.” Really? I like sleeping too! As a believer in Big Wins, I’d rather not like assorted products in order to save 10 cents on tomato sauce or be entered for a chance to win a jet ski.

In part because I’m difficult and stubborn, I just don’t like “liking” things publicly, having always preferred to support the businesses and people I do like by subscribing, buying and giving testimonials to their work.

But now I’m changing my view and my mindset

At some point during the conference in Miami it hit me that the people I encourage, support and believe in, who are doing amazing work in the world deserve that public recognition. Because I won’t be lumping them in with ‘the cool side of a pillow’ it will be a real, honest show of support.

Facebook is still a tool. It’s one way that I show what I like in the world and that goes beyond coffee, fun sayings and snark and supporting friends through good times and bad. Facebook is a networking tool and helps us to see what our friends believe, in the causes they support and the actions they take.

I’m not saying Facebook is the end all be all. If you “like” breast cancer research but never give a dime then your support is shallow. But Facebook is the public statement that was missing before.

Like a kid slowly testing the waters I’ve started to find and like the pages of the people I support and I encourage you to do the same. You can see my page on Facebook and the businesses I recommend – I don’t have my own business page yet but you can bet that when I do I’ll ask for your support in return.

Facebook is more than a virtual sheep marketplace or way to annoy authority figures. It only took me 8 years to realize.