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The Great Debate: Facebook vs. Myspace | «« back |
| by FANTASI PRIDGON (Editor-In-Chief) | February 2010 |
Over the years, our need for social networking has surpassed even the simplest of internet times. It has become a powerful tool in the overall scheme of the world wide web, prompting many to become connected with the phenomenon. But one has to think of the social-networkless lives that many were accustomed to before this relatively fast development
What ever happened to the plain and relatively simple email message that was used in a more frequent social fashion, and at the time of its debut seemed impressive? Or the Instant Message that blew even e-mail out of the water? I guess all that fails in comparison, because in the height of e-mail fame, it was what ever happened to the handwritten letter? Now that the top two social networking competitors have pulled out all the stops, destroying tradition to rival each others network style, it’s time to take a side. Facebook or Myspace?
I would like to confess my penchant for facebook (I‘m logged on as I‘m writing this) although my social networking roots lie with Myspace. Facebook wins hands down in my address bar. Comparatively, it‘s more user friendly, and doesn’t allow for those cryptic display names that take twenty minutes to decipher. Myspace has over time become confusing, and this (among other things) is why facebook is the favorite.
Facebook seems to be geared toward the college set, while Myspace has a more encompassing set of users. Facebook is, for some reason better accepted. CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 has a fan page on facebook, but not Myspace. Many politicians use social networking as a campaign strategy (facebook most often), and even sports teams have profiles on the most popular social networking site.
I’ve seen students at CSN using school computers for their Facebook and Myspace fix, causing many areas on campus to ban the online activity. Signs have gone up in the computer labs, libraries, and writing centers, detailing what is not allowed on their computers.
Very rarely, you run into a person who has a profile on neither site, and for varied reasons (it’s overrated happens to be a common one). Admiration is something I have for those who know nothing of the sort and care not to, but, I have to say I favor this sprawled out disconnected form of social interaction...it’s a new social norm. In some instances, I’ve noticed people caving to the social network beast. Face-to-face contact is limited in this form, which my generation has minimal problem with undoubtedly.
Certain expressions come up, and you know exactly what someone is referring to. Fan us, friend me and my top are examples. Some take being on someone’s “top” as a form of flattery, but, you mustn’t forget that it could be randomized myspacers (sorry to break it to you).
Cell phones have made it possible for social networking in an instant with both internet and text messages. A student in my biology class said, “I would die without my cell phone, and MP3 player.” Really? That’s fascinating. I wonder what kind of scientific research is being done to cure this debilitating condition. No doubt, she has to update her status to I’m in class.
Social networking has put new meaning into our lives as we know it. As outlets for society’s obsession surface, the realm of social interactions are becoming endless, and a bit overwhelming. Facebook and Myspace lead the social networking pack with hundreds of millions of active users respectively. My grandmother even knows of the sites, though she says Spacebook and Myface most of the time.
A sizable chunk of society has converted to the social networking giant. The internet magnets have forever changed the outline of online activity. Now that it’s safe to say we’ve converted to the influential powers of the social network medium, we’ve left the old behind for this new, and more complex. |END
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