Social networking and narcissism

Miru
Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:28:48 +0000

I think part of the problem might be that you’re used to myspace (particularly, the old myspace, I’ve heard its got better since you and I quit) instead of facebook.

Yes, having a facebook profile is inherently narcisstic, especially if its loaded with pictures, information about yourself, and status updates. No one cares. At the same time, the home page shows an extensive record of your friends updates, not your own. In other words, facebook encourages you to stalk other people (creepy), rather than preen yourself.

Facebook can be a really useful tool for keeping in touch with people while you’re far away, and I think most people will tell you that they are using it mainly for this purpose, even if they aren’t.

If you do end up caving and getting facebook (only 1 person I know is left…4 of my stalwart friends who refused to join the mob throughout the entire schoolyear gave up within a week of getting back home), be warned that it is incredibly addicting, and will have a negative impact on your grades if you let it. Seriously.