contentEvery now and then, someone asks me why I don’t post more on my facebook page. I guess it’s because Live Journal’s so much more fun.
Most days, I drop in on facebook for a couple of minutes to make a couple of comments on other people’s posts, but aside from announcing my Friday links list, I really don’t use it too much.
That’s not to say I don’t think it’s worthwhile, but I much prefer the slower pace of a more traditional (if that’s the right word) blog, like the ones you find here on LJ.
It’s true that a lot more people seem willing to connect on facebook than here on Live Journal. Every week I get about a dozen or so facebook friend requests, most of which are from people I don’t know. I’m happy to make new acquaintances and I almost always accept (once I’ve checked whether they’re a real person).
Sadly though, all too often that new friend immediately posts a link on my wall, touting his/her latest book or event without so much as a ‘By your leave’. I’m all for networking, but to me that’s not networking, that’s being a jerk. No better than turning up at a writing group for the first time and handing out bookmarks promoting your book.
It’s the same with facebook messages – the ones which get sent as an email. I’m quite happy to get announcements from people I already know (so long as they don’t overdo it), but sending a blanket email to someone you found through a mutual acquaintance on facebook is spamming, pure and simple.
Then again, maybe I’m just old-fashioned.
Sure, writing a 400-500 word blog post takes up more of your time than slapping down a thought of the day on facebook, but the resulting interactions with folks who stop by to read it are so much more personal (and if you ask me a heck of a lot more fun).
That’s why, useful as it is, and glad as I am to have friends there, I don’t post more often on facebook.
How about you?
What’s your take on facebook?
What's your take on facebook?
