When I joined Facebook just over a few years ago I hardly thought about where this was going or what it all meant. I think it would be safe to say that many people were in the same boat as me. Years later, it’s almost as if we’re still asking the same questions and thinking the same thoughts. At least now we have an understanding of it’s many causes and effects.
Years later, I can’t help but wonder what Facebook was meant to represent. Looking back at it all, there has been obvious and substantial change in the Facebook interface and how it operates. So how has this effected our behaviours? Does it mean the same as it meant once we first joined? Or has it taken on a new and evolved meaning? The questions are quite literally endless.
Like anything else, once something becomes so inherent to everyday life significant use will dictate and create new behaviours. And as those behaviours emerge and evolve, we all begin to innovate how we begin to use certain things and objects. The same can most definitely be applied to Facebook.
Aside from the evident changes that have occurred within the Facebook platform and its algorithm, there have been some meaningful user generated happenings occurring. And I have no doubt that Facebook is more than aware of what’s going on – I would love to see the numbers they have behind everything – there has been more than a few fascinating things that are taking place.
Interestingly, this was all sparked by a friend who stopped using Facebook and has never looked back since. Well, until he told me about the things he missed by not having an active account. It seemingly opened up a series of other insights into how we, the Millennials, have come to see Facebook. It very much incorporates the basics of Mark Zuckerberg’s vision but there’s just more than that there.
I know some of you are wondering what my friend was missing. What could this possible Facebook attribute be that you would find yourself having a conversation about someone missing it as a feature of social life? Simply put, birthdays.
The Facebook birthday feature is probably one of the most simplest but celebrated and used features on Facebook. We’ll go weeks without saying and posting anything else. But you will see plenty of simple “Happy Birthday” wishes to friends, family and people we hardly ever cared to wish Happy Birthday to pre-Facebook. What’s truly fascinating here is we’ve all found ourselves caring about this. I never fail to see a laundry list full of daily birthday wishes.
I’m not suggesting this is horrible or somehow negative. Other than those who deactivate their walls on their birthdays, who doesn’t enjoy a day of well wishes. I know I do. It’s this same growing sentiment and mentality that has us caring about everyone to one degree or another. Whether that be feelings of joy, jealously or competition towards someone, we can’t help but to care and be intrigued by those in our news feeds.
I can’t recall how many conversations I have been a part of or over heard with “oh on Facebook I saw…”. Or even more fascinatingly, when the conversation continues from a share you’ve long forgotten. We are increasingly becoming focused on relationships that have hardly mattered before but are evolving thanks to Facebook. In fact, I will venture to say we spend more hidden time (time that can’t be marked by visible actions to others in your network) browsing, suffering, stalking, dreaming and creeping on Facebook more than any other action for exactly these purposes.
The resulting effects have made Facebook more real-time than ever. Event invites are expected to be answered. “He accepted, so I guess he’s coming”. Albums are being uploaded the same night, doesn’t matter if it’s in the early morning hours. Even a growing trend to immediately show everyone what’s happening is taking place. Of which, these live-stream pictures in fact begin to serve a greater purpose. And it amazes me to see that Facebook hasn’t taken advantage of this and introduced picture and video status updates.
Everything is beginning to fall under the pretence of whether it’s “status update worthy.” This is something I brought up a few months back. We strategically share. There should be no doubt about that. But now, I find that being “status update worthy” has in fact taken on a different role. It has taken on a greater purpose.
Rather than simply sharing, bragging, enticing and glorifying a very specific specialty element, such as a vacation or vip access or something like that, common occurrence are becoming stronger and increasingly weighted. In fact, common occurrence are becoming and receiving speciality treatment. Now, the smallest and simplest things are gaining value and sophistication.
It’s quite clear Facebook as evolved from what it once represented. The Millennials can be clear proof of that. Though the original elements have stayed the same, much of what we care about and act on has changed. And will continually change as new and different needs are being introduced and met. So make no mistake, each Facebook profile is strategically positioned. Each action is strategically taken. For Millennials, it’s not simply about sharing. For Millennials, Facebook is clearly becoming something else.
