Its become fashionable to bash Facebook but comparing it to cigarettes is a bit extreme.
People need something to waste their time. Real life can get very bland at times. If Facebook didnt exist its not as if people would suddenly start self actualizing , writing novels and building companies. They'd probably be watching TV. We all need to turn our brains off for a few hours every day.
Till recently it was television and now its Facebook. But its way better as it is interactive and ties into the basic human need to gain the approval of others.
Those who profit are the ones who recognize these basic human needs and tap into them.
HN is the same thing but targeted at nerds. But the basic flow is the same. Its mindless and effortless , offering just enough novelty that you don't get bored.
People criticize things like Facebook and Farmville for being mindless and dull. But thats precisely why they're popular. Its an endless stream of slight novelty for very little effort. We need novelty and creating it ourselves can take too much effort. At the end of a long day our brains are just too tired.
Thats why we have Michael Bay Movies , Chick Lit and Twilight.
In the days before TV and electricity, alcohol and drugs may have been one of the ways to unwind and maybe in a weird way that validates OPs thesis.
I use Facebook mainly for the chat feature. Facebook turns acquaintances into friends and though some people dislike this ,for me its a big plus. It keeps me in touch with people who share common interests whom I wouldnt get to meet as often in real life.
Also Facebook is a gateway drug to participating in other online communities and realizing the power of people forming groups over the internet.
Comments
Its become fashionable to bash Facebook but comparing it to cigarettes is a bit extreme.
People need something to waste their time. Real life can get very bland at times. If Facebook didnt exist its not as if people would suddenly start self actualizing , writing novels and building companies. They'd probably be watching TV. We all need to turn our brains off for a few hours every day.
Till recently it was television and now its Facebook. But its way better as it is interactive and ties into the basic human need to gain the approval of others.
Those who profit are the ones who recognize these basic human needs and tap into them.
HN is the same thing but targeted at nerds. But the basic flow is the same. Its mindless and effortless , offering just enough novelty that you don't get bored.
People criticize things like Facebook and Farmville for being mindless and dull. But thats precisely why they're popular. Its an endless stream of slight novelty for very little effort. We need novelty and creating it ourselves can take too much effort. At the end of a long day our brains are just too tired.
Thats why we have Michael Bay Movies , Chick Lit and Twilight.
In the days before TV and electricity, alcohol and drugs may have been one of the ways to unwind and maybe in a weird way that validates OPs thesis.
I use Facebook mainly for the chat feature. Facebook turns acquaintances into friends and though some people dislike this ,for me its a big plus. It keeps me in touch with people who share common interests whom I wouldnt get to meet as often in real life.
Also Facebook is a gateway drug to participating in other online communities and realizing the power of people forming groups over the internet.