Forever Changing Face

"Facebook Lets Users Interact With Small Groups" -New York Times, Technology, October 6, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/technology/07facebook.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

I have to be honest, I don't know how I feel about Facebook anymore. Since my mom and other family members, as well as adults who are more associates than friends, have joined Facebook (and my friend count), I've been less interested in Facebook and more aware of what I post. In return, I've turned to Twitter to be my outlet of frustration and my arena for complete honesty. Facebook has also made me weary with its continual changes, in which time has to be taken to learn how to use all of its new features. It's also annoying when I post a status for venting purposes and everyone and their mother (literally) has to have an opinion and then share that opinion with me via comments. Sometimes I just don't want to know what you think about what I said, does that mean that I shouldn't write what I feel? There are just so many variables with Facebook that has led me to believe that less usage=better usage.

Facebook created a new service called Groups, which allows users to segment their "friends" on the basis of relationship. For instance, I may have a group for my family members, middle school friends, high school friends, camp friends, etc. The theory behind the group feature is to allow users to share what they want with some groups, while not having to share all of your information with all of your friends. Everyone in a given group will be notified of other members of the group, regardless of whether you or someone else added them. In essence, people will be more relaxed about what they post to Facebook, and in return, share more aspects of their lives freely.

So, has this new feature led me to change my beliefs about Frankenstein Facebook? Groups will allow me to segregate my friend community and essentially allow me to share what I want with those I want. It will help me to avoid those awkward questions like "so who's that guy in the photo with you?" or "is that an alcoholic beverage in your hand missy?" I wont have to break my poor cousin's heart (who lives in California and who I've only met twice) by denying their friendship request because I didn't want him to get to know me through my Facebook rants. I will probably be more inclined to share more, which is Mr. Zuckerberg's main agenda.

The answer, for now, seems to be YES. However,  I will be a little weary of this feature in terms of how the addition of members to these Groups are monitored. I shall give my former bff, Facebook, a chance to mend its ways and a route back to my heart. Lets see if I'll end up heartbroken again.