And...

I didn't cheat!

Conclusion

So, the experiment is over, and I don't feel too differently. I've come to realize, Facebook has never been a huge part of my life at all; it's just a time-filler. I could probably live without Facebook for the rest of my life and not miss it too much. I've also come to realize how big a presence it has in our society. Everywhere, I've heard talks of Facebook, and though some people like to say it is "sad" or we are "insecure," I don't believe it is so. Parents, teachers, college students, and teenagers alike use Facebook. There's a point to where it can become obsessive, but I'd never call the general usage of Facebook "sad." It's easy to keep in touch with people, and you can view pictures, videos and people's interests with just a click. This is similar to what we talked about in class that mass amounts of people can see something without having to physically be there; I can see my friends' vacation photos without having to flip through the album in their living room, and I can watch my sister pitch in a softball game if I'm not able to attend.

It's safe to say that my life hasn't changed without Facebook. I've gotten the same amount of homework done, studied just as much, and kept in touch with people just as much. I guess it doesn't really effect me as much as I had originally thought.

I apologize for any comments that may have been taken rudely, but I don't like arrogance and generally thought down upon. I feel the need to defend myself and others from being called "insecure." Also, I'm not hiding behind a keyboard, and I'd very much enjoy discussing this in class tomorrow.

As for a song to describe my reflection upon Facebook, I can't really think of any, so I'll leave you with a song that I simply enjoy. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usR7mMHUhlY

Day 4

I haven't had the urge to check Facebook, and I don't necessarily miss it; I just want to have something to look at when I'm bored. TV doesn't interest me much, and I just finished the book I've been reading. So, Facebook suffices for a few minutes here and there (okay so maybe more than a few). Tomorrow morning I will be able to check it! And yet, I don't feel as if I need tomorrow morning to come...

In a Place Like This...

...I could forget Facebook forever.


Two hours from Tucson, AZ (Not quite sure of the exact location; I was delirious from road-tripping across the country.)



Hills outside Walnut Creek, CA



Pier 39, San Francisco, CA



San Francisco, CA


I am truly a west coast girl at heart; I grew up in Arizona with frequent visits to California, and I'm in love with all things mountainous. This rain makes me want to be back right now!

Designing

So, instead of spending my time on Facebook, I've been designing a shirt for C.W. Post's SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Committee). Creating is always so much more fun than just observing.

Last Night/I've Been Thinking...

Last night was the easiest night to not go on Facebook! I was sitting in my room, studying for a test I didn't want to, and dreading the pages of other reading I still had to do. (Normally, I don't dread homework this much, I swear!) Anyway, at that moment, my friend burst into my door with an excited voice, "Do you want to go on an adventure?!" Now, how could I turn that down? We (about 7 of us) put on our warmest clothes and explored parts of C.W. Post that should probably only be explored during the day (it got pretty creepy). We ran around trails, sprinted across the streets of campus like we were actually doing something bad, and acted secretive just for the sake of fun. We ended our night with ice cream, and after that, I was shot. It was the most fun I've had since I've been back at school, and it had nothing to do with a computer.

So, I've been thinking; for what do we TRULY use Facebook? Do we use it to get in touch with people to actually see them? Or do we use it as a substitution for seeing them? Why do we even change our profile pictures? We pick the best ones, and we're hoping that our friends will comment about how beautiful, silly, funny, or cool we are. We're always hoping to have a new comment or "like." I've even heard a conversation about wall posts between friends (this conversation is all in fun, so imagine it with a sarcastic, friendly tone):

Michael: Ashley, I need to talk to you about your wall posts!
Ashley: Yes?
Michael: When I comment on your wall, you need to comment back on MINE! Not just comment on the post that's already on your wall. I need to look popular too.

It was a funny conversation, and though Michael was joking, some part of him still wants those comments on HIS wall. Facebook is just another place that humans look for acceptance. If this is bad, I'm not sure, but I think I'd rather have days like last night, exploring what's around me and laughing with friends in REAL LIFE than staring at a computer screen.

Distractions

Homework and shopping have taken up most of my weekend, and tomorrow I'll most likely be at Stony Brook all day for a softball tournament. So, I haven't really been tempted to check Facebook at all. Sometimes it's difficult though. If I'm in a friend's room and they're looking at Facebook, I try to look away so I can get the full effect of this project. It's hard not to look at pictures that all your friends are gathering to see! This social network medium is not only unifying through the internet; it can physically bring people closer to watch videos or look at pictures together. It gives people something to talk about, even if it's just harmless gossip.

So far, this hasn't been that hard. Maybe because I know (or hope) I'll have a high number in that little red box in the right hand corner of my screen when I finally log on again. It's kind of like Christmas, trying to keep yourself away from the presents so you'll be happier on Christmas morning. Ahh, 2 days...

Day 2

This is what I do on the computer when I have no Facebook...

Just kidding, but there is some truth. I find myself not really accessing the computer as much unless it's for homework. But, if I'm really bored, I always have Stumble! on Firefox. (For those who don't know what I'm talking about and are facing computer boredom, try downloading the StumbleUpon button for Firefox. It leads you to the most random and eccentric websites in the world; it's great.)

On another note, I've been noticing Facebook everywhere. I'm physically sick in a million ways right now (softball is taking its toll on my body) and last night, I curled up in my bed to rest and watch Horton Hears a Who. It's such a cute movie, and I was surprised at one scene to see a Whoville secretary talking on the phone about how she had "10,000 friends already!" The movie then cut to her computer screen, and it was a Myspace/Facebook like page. The secretary then said, "Of course that looks like me! Ten years ago!" I had to laugh because a.) I feel as if the world is tempting me in all ways, and b.) it's so true that anyone can be anyone on social networking sites. These so-called "friends" are not friends so much as people you have or will never meet, yet you know so much about them. Kind of creepy, if you think about it.

Also, at breakfast this morning, my friends asked me if I've seen my sister's statuses. My sister is four years younger (a junior in high school) and lives back at home with my parents. All my friends said they were basically reliving their high school years through my sister's Facebook. It's funny that we feel we can do that. I can look at my friends' pages and feel as if I were truly at a party or get-together. Most of the time, it makes me realize how much I miss them, but a small part of me feels satisfied that at least I can see the pictures, to know what was going on.

Anyway, the point of this entry is to say another morning has gone by, and I haven't cracked. I hope everyone else can say the same!

Conclusion to Day 1

Though the night is not officially over, I'd have to say the temptation of logging onto Facebook ends now. I have a ton of homework to do, and I really am going to get it done tonight. However, I have a few thoughts about the first day without my medium of choice.

(OH MY GOODNESS. I just heard someone in the hall scream, "Guys! Look at this picture I'm tagged in!" I was never aware of this Facebook invasion before this assignment.)

Anyway, I've realized that my reliance on Facebook is not actually because I need to be accessing information 24/7. I actually find pleasure in disconnecting myself with the world, not answering phone calls, and curling up with a good book. My mom even gets frustrated with me because I never have any "good gossip" about my friends. I've never been the prying type; if someone wants to confide in me any facts about their lives, I'll listen, but I'm generally a shy person. My addiction to Facebook is more out of habit, procrastination, and ease (as I've said before, it's on my Favorites; I never even have to type the URL in.) In fact, when I visited my boyfriend over the summer, I felt no need to go on my computer or even charge my phone, because for that week, we were hanging out. If something proves more important, I can do without most of my communication technology. Could this be true of many people who think they truly need something? That if the ease of accessing different media was taken away, we wouldn't necessarily miss it? (Accessing Facebook with just a click, for example. It takes much more thought for me to type in the URL, as I realize what I'm doing; in turn, it makes it much easier to refrain from visiting the site at all) Facebook is great for keeping in touch, but sometimes I need some good "me" time, and this weekend is the perfect weekend for it. Now off to complete that homework I was talking about...

Boredom Sets In

Even though this has nothing to do with the lack of Facebook, it still makes me laugh. I guess you don't really realize how pointless some things can seem from an outsider's point of view. This is not to say I'll give Facebook up forever, but I just may be able to resist the temptation of visiting the site when I have pages and pages of homework. Maybe.

Edit: I'm currently talking to my boyfriend about nothing in particular, and his exact words were, "Did you see what Mike commented on your photo?" FACEBOOK IS EVERYWHERE!!! I had to remind him, yet again, that I would not be able to check this comment until Tuesday morning. I think the suspense of what the comment could be, what photo it could be about, and why it was so important that my boyfriend brought it up is killing me a little inside. In trying to make me a better person, as he always does, my boyfriend said that I must learn patience and I'll see what the comment is on Tuesday. This is beginning to prove more difficult than I first expected.

Day 1

This morning, I got up for breakfast and, as usual, headed straight for my computer. Unconsciously, my cursor was lead to the Facebook bookmark on my Favorites. It was only then that I realized how Facebook has become a part of my life - and not just mine, but everyone that I know. I wasn't so much upset that I couldn't check it as I was in awe that I mindlessly do so often. What is so important that I have to check for updates so many times throughout the day? Granted, all of my extended family live in another state (where I only get the chance to visit once a year, if that) and sadly, Facebook pictures are the only way I get to witness my cousins growing up. But still, I'm pretty sure my cousins look the same now as they did last night in the pictures I looked at...

So far, I haven't been upset about not using Facebook, but maybe that's because I'm sick and only rolled out of bed to complete this assignment. As the day progresses, we'll see how I do with the lack of social networking!

P.S.

Tonight I will be Facebook overloading. Hopefully I don't go blind from staring at the computer screen for hours. (It's not only because I'll miss it - I swear. I have to get in touch with someone whose phone number I don't have!) I'll be removing Facebook from my tabs on Firefox AND the apps on my iPhone. How lame do I sound right now?

Welcome

Welcome to my blog! I'm not big on journaling, but I'll have to try to document my few days resisting Facebook. It's the easiest way for me to keep in touch with my friends, so maybe this experiment will actually force me to become a better phone person! (It's a running joke between my friends that I won't answer the phone, but I'll reply with text messages.) Facebook also provides me with hours of procrastination while reading hundreds of pages of homework a week. (NOT an exaggeration - I am taking a horror literature class that makes me want to pull my hair out.) Who knows, maybe I'll get my work done in half the time and get to bed at a decent hour! Hopefully I survive. Join me in my adventure!