Leaving Facebook by Instructions from Guide Spirits

[babuji]

I also recently left facebook. Perhaps it's a silly reason, but once I became aware of the reasons that kept drawing me to FB everyday, I found that it really was for the ego boost.

Facebook was more of a 'feel good' thing in a shallow way rather than empowering..

So I took the decision to leave.. it's been about a week and I definitely don't miss it.. though my ego definitely does..

[elucidate]

Originally Posted by babuji

I also recently left facebook. Perhaps it's a silly reason, but once I became aware of the reasons that kept drawing me to FB everyday, I found that it really was for the ego boost.

Facebook was more of a 'feel good' thing in a shallow way rather than empowering..

So I took the decision to leave.. it's been about a week and I definitely don't miss it.. though my ego definitely does..

I see it this way too. It feeds the ego, and that narcisisstic part of us which wants to be seen to be really popular, and think that people care to know what we had for lunch.

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by elucidate

I see it this way too. It feeds the ego, and that narcisisstic part of us which wants to be seen to be really popular, and think that people care to know what we had for lunch.

I keep feeling like I'm reading stuff that makes no sense. Not just what you said, but lots of what others said in threads like the one about Steve leaving FB. I guess it really does come down to everyone using FB for their own thing, and some people have a different thing. To me, this comment is like hearing, "I quit going to dinner with my friends on Tuesdays because it feeds the ego, and that narcissitic part of us which wants to be seen to be really popular."

Facebook really is what a person uses it for.

And weirdly, I actually DO care what people had for lunch!

[spacecadetglow]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

I keep feeling like I'm reading stuff that makes no sense. Not just what you said, but lots of what others said in threads like the one about Steve leaving FB. I guess it really does come down to everyone using FB for their own thing, and some people have a different thing. To me, this comment is like hearing, "I quit going to dinner with my friends on Tuesdays because it feeds the ego, and that narcissitic part of us which wants to be seen to be really popular."

Facebook really is what a person uses it for.

And weirdly, I actually DO care what people had for lunch!

Yeah, it doesn't really make sense to me either. Seems like the people who are so bothered by it are kind of digging their own graves. Facebook doesn't make you lazy, YOU make you lazy.

It also seems weirdly reactionary. I've never been one to shun technology though, I've always embraced it, but not to the point of worship.

Of course, I support everyone's right to make the best decisions for themselves and I trust that that is happening. I just don't comprendo.

[royster]

AN EXCERPT FROM MY ORIGINAL POST:

"What we see on Facebook is the further conditioning of the eight-second attention span. While the façade advertises a happy face saying “social networking!”, it is a whorehouse of mainstream chutzpah and junk food …all well and good for a short time. But we see entire walls filled with game achievements, approvals of commercial products and corporate-sponsored charities that are neither truly beneficial or with any accountable merit. Maybe I’m being too tough. After all, I’ve waken up in whore houses, gorged on junk food and could have paid a college tuition for all the quarters I’ve put into “Donkey Kong” machines.

The difference is: those were real places, and human experiences.


The serious dangers of Facebook are cleverly hidden behind every cutesy drawing that baits you into staying just another minute. And as your mind is lulled into joyous play, what’s going on with your subconscious? What are you…over time…sacrificing to BE on Facebook? Worse, what is the overall activity setting you up for, while you’re attention is diverted?

There need be only 2 more major steps before the internet becomes the “1984” omnipresent and all-seeing screen. Those who choose to laugh this off in hopes it goes away might want to consider: I spend the majority of my time studying, while you have been playing games. The facts I know of will not be found in the exchange of Farmville prizes or the time you can’t retrieve since your focus was elsewhere. And here’s your worst nightmare: you no longer have the time to catch up."

What was posted after this was what I see as the defending of belief systems; belief systems that need the bolstering of the corporate machine that built and maintains those belief systems. My "analysis" is just as valid as Angela's, but from a spiritual point of view. As I stated earlier, all views are valid.

The original intention of the thread was to both explain my decision, and to offer the warning I received. Those who choose to stay on Facebook need not leave on my behalf, but they also need not defend their choice, as long as it is truly their choice, and not a subliminal trigger mechanism promoted by conditioning.

The very conditioning reinforced on facebook.

I appreciate everyone's imput except one, which was made by a person I highly suspect isn't long for this forum due to behavior problems. (No, not me. My behavior problems seem to amuse people. )

The Titanic recieved no fewer than 5 ice warnings, yet did nothing in response to them. If anything, they went faster. Let me end this with a quote from Gahndi:

THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN INCREASING IT'S SPEED."

[moonrambler]

Is playing Donkey Kong really more of a real experience than playing Farmville?

Originally Posted by royster

The original intention of the thread was to both explain my decision, and to offer the warning I received. Those who choose to stay on Facebook need not leave on my behalf, but they also need not defend their choice, as long as it is truly their choice, and not a subliminal trigger mechanism promoted by conditioning.

As this thread has continued, and I've continued participating to an extent, I can respect your decision to leave FB -- or anyone else's decision, for that matter. What I keep feeling compelled to respond to is the posts I read where people seem to feel there is no beneficial way to use the website. You've told me that I'm apparently using it in a beneficial way. If there are some who truly cannot do so, who have to use FB to build their ego or waste a zillion hours on foolishness or be lured into exterior links with computer viruses or be convinced that 'liking' a cause is equivalent to taking action, then I understand you may be speaking directly to them.

For others who can use it more like I do, and those with my viewpoint who have posted here, I like to see them reconnecting with long-lost friends and reviving connections with relatives, and so on.

It's more an aspect of using the service instead of letting it use you

[Angela]

I just enjoy watching you complain about the very thing you generate, Roy; I don't think you should stop whining or generating what you object to.

For instance, you don't like the "junk food" of Facebook, but you spend lots of time *playing* here -- posting goofy-ass fun threads, like your "Anal Probe" thread. Or do you consider that more spiritual than Farmville?

(p.s... I don't play use farmville or any other games or apps on FB. It's not required. )

[royster]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

Is playing Donkey Kong really more of a real experience than playing Farmville?

Back then, it was in a bar. I met people, talked, took some of 'em home and...er...uh...played Konky Dong.

As this thread has continued, and I've continued participating to an extent, I can respect your decision to leave FB -- or anyone else's decision, for that matter. What I keep feeling compelled to respond to is the posts I read where people seem to feel there is no beneficial way to use the website. You've told me that I'm apparently using it in a beneficial way. If there are some who truly cannot do so, who have to use FB to build their ego or waste a zillion hours on foolishness or be lured into exterior links with computer viruses or be convinced that 'liking' a cause is equivalent to taking action, then I understand you may be speaking directly to them.

EXCELLENTLY stated.

For others who can use it more like I do, and those with my viewpoint who have posted here, I like to see them reconnecting with long-lost friends and reviving connections with relatives, and so on.

Understood, and even agreed-to, to a certain extent.

But I'm 53 years old: I have watched the systematic degradation of communications and content of information exchange. While you can "keep in touch", what is the quality of the keeping in touch? I honestly can't make any judgements on this, but I do know what I saw. It wasn't for me.

It's more an aspect of using the service instead of letting it use you

That is just wonderfully profound, moonrambler.

I just enjoy watching you complain about the very thing you generate, Roy; I don't think you should stop whining or generating what you object to.

For instance, you don't like the "junk food" of Facebook, but you spend lots of time *playing* here -- posting goofy-ass fun threads, like your "Anal Probe" thread. Or do you consider that more spiritual than Farmville?

Apples and oranges.

By the way, I shamanically heal through humor. Farmville, like masturbation, is done by oneself; my humor is shared with anyone who cares to drop down to a goofy-ass thread. I've actually gotten rep points for it, and PM's telling me how I've helped people to remember how to laugh again.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by royster

By the way, I shamanically heal through humor. Farmville, like masturbation, is done by oneself; my humor is shared with anyone who cares to drop down to a goofy-ass thread. I've actually gotten rep points for it, and PM's telling me how I've helped people to remember how to laugh again.

Ohhh, I see. I was wondering how Anal Probe jokes were superior to Farmville. It's shamanic. (I think Farmville is something you play with other Facebook users who care to drop down in it, though, not by one's self.)

I'd have to agree with those people -- you ARE very funny!

[royster]

Am I supposed to ignore comments like

I don't think you should stop whining or generating what you object to.

and words like "superior", or do you think I should point out they are low-level time-released assasinations of charactor with little smiley faces?

I left Facebook. You didn't. Great.

Now a small detail: what to do with this thread?

Whatever flips yer skirt.

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by royster

But I'm 53 years old: I have watched the systematic degradation of communications and content of information exchange. While you can "keep in touch", what is the quality of the keeping in touch? I honestly can't make any judgements on this, but I do know what I saw. It wasn't for me.

Hon, I'm 52, so we arrived here about the same time.

Here is what I was about to say: The quality of keeping in touch I have on Facebook surpasses what I had before I joined Facebook.

This shows me that the 'problem' wasn't with Facebook, but with what has happened to interpersonal relationships over time. People have moved around, lost touch. Once upon a time 'long distance' cost a bunch of money and our parents bitched at us to get off the phone. Most people didn't enjoy writing letters. Facebook moved in and filled a need/desire. This likely means I use it differently than people half my age, who aren't as familiar with the constraints of Ma Bell and barely remember we once didn't have e-mail.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by royster

Am I supposed to ignore comments like


and words like "superior", or do you think I should point out they are low-level time-released assasinations of charactor with little smiley faces?

You're certainly welcome to point out that you are choosing to feel like your character is being assassinated with little smiley faces, or to choose to ignore it! I don't want to assassinate your character, though - I am delighted by your character!

I left Facebook. You didn't. Great.

I know, huh!? And you keep complaining about the "serious dangers" of it (and other technologies) -- even as you perpetuate the same things you're complaining about, without recognizing you're doing it! It just tickles the heck out of me -- it flips my skirt.

[st33med]

Originally Posted by Angela

It just tickles the heck out of me -- it flips my skirt.

Please continue to do this Royster.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by st33med

Please continue to do this Royster.

What, flip my skirt?

[st33med]

Originally Posted by Angela

What, flip my skirt?

Oh yes, indirectly though.

[Angela]

You seein' the same stuff?

[st33med]

Originally Posted by Angela

You seein' the same stuff?

While he is flipping your skirt, maybe.

But, yes. Royster, you are complaining about stuff and keep manifesting it right here! If the Internet is the Devil, you still speak here and keep attracting this! You complain about social networking, yet you still go here and complain when this is practically the same thing as Facebook where we socialize and have fun, not apples and oranges as you describe. Of course, you don't see it the same way as we do and you keep flipping Angela's skirt, which I highly encourage you to keep doing.

It's very entertaining!

[Angela]

Good thing I wore panties underneath!

[st33med]

Originally Posted by Angela

Good thing I wore panties underneath!

Oh da- I mean, great!

[st33med]

I guess royster's comments make me flip my utiliskirt!

[royster]

AP Virginia News | nvdaily.com

[st33med]

Originally Posted by royster

AP Virginia News | nvdaily.com

Doesn't scare me. My password isn't based off anything on my profile.

[royster]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Browne

The other thing that's interesting is you can never truly delete your facebook profile.

They save it indefinitely and send you emails asking if you would like to return. In which case if you reactivate, your profile is returned to you with all your previous mail/friends/photos etc. intact.

A little scary that they keep an indefinite undeletable account of everything you've put on facebook.

No computer stuff really gets completely deleted; a scary thought in itself. But our minds work the same way; that's why old memories pop up all the time to haunt us.

I still get notifications from skanks who "want me to call" them. It says "The Facebook Team" but I always just delete these e-mails.

[Digital Jack]

Originally Posted by moonrambler

Is playing Donkey Kong really more of a real experience than playing Farmville?

YES.

YES A MILLION TIMES OVER.

(I'm about to go on a huge rant here about FB games that has been welling up inside me for months now, so bear with me.)

HERES WHY.

Games like Donkey Kong have a little something I like to call "gameplay". In games that have "gameplay", there is usually a character you play as. You can control this character, and use him to interact with the digitally created environment. The "environment" usually has hazards that you must navigate, in order to work towards the "goal". THIS is what gives you a sense of accomplishment when beating a game; that you have conquored all that the game as thrown at you.

So lets take Donkey Kong for example... you control Mario, who must navigate deadly hazards in his environment such as barrels, fireballs, and pitfalls. Mario can interact with this environment by grabbing hammers, climbing ladders, and jumping. It's this type of interaction that takes "skill" and "practice", and is what is required to beat the game. This is why the World Record holders for games like Donkey Kong are so impressive, because they have 'practice' and 'skill'.

Donkey Kong also clearly defines it's goal, which is to rescue the princess. There is also a definitive END to the game. So even without having a complicated story, DK still has heroes, villans, damsels in distress, perilous traps, close calls, thrills and spills, and in general, an adventure.


...but now let's take Mafia Wars, one of Facebooks most popular games. I want you to tell me something... where exactly is the gameplay in MW?

I will tell you. There isin't any. In fact, the entire game could be classified as "micromanagement of statistics". Aside from the .jpeg images used to represent your weapons, there isin't ANY environment, interaction with that environment, no villans, no heroes, no nothing. Not even a story. No goal, no perils, nothing. You could "play" the entire game on pen and paper, with no graphics whatsoever. Is there ever a point where you actually SEE a brawl between mafia members? Is there ever a time where you SEE drive-by's things exploding, or anything exciting? You might as well be playing D+D if you have to use your imagination... at least then you're interacting with real people in real life.

In MW, when you do a job, all it is is a click of the mouse. When you battle a rival mafia, all it is is a click of the mouse. When you build your property, all it is is a click of the mouse... I dont think I need to go on. There is NO skill involved. There is also no threat of loss, meaning that even if you "die", you dont really lose anything (ok, so you lose 6 EXP, but when it takes over 8 million exp to level up, those 6 points are pretty much just 'dust in the wind'). In fact, you can die hundreds of times in a single day and it won't effect your "progress" at all.

Also, MW continually adds new countries and places to "go to" (I.E. more crap to click on) so even if your own personal goal was to "finish all the jobs" you will still never really finish the game because you KNOW that more stuff is just gonna be added later. Just stay on Facebook one more minute... gotta finish this... for what reason I no longer know...

And as for battling your friends, well, your friends JOIN your mafia in this game, you dont battle AGAINST them. And in general, once theyre in your mafia, you barely interact with them at all. The only people you battle are faceless nobody's, and even then, the game allows you to selectively choose targets that are lower level than you are, meaning even at the lowest levels, you can win every fight you pick, if you pick it with the right person.

So what is Mafia Wars then? A big distraction. Micromanagement of stats. Facebook/Zynga games DO NOT qualify as games at all. Something to get you just a little more hooked into Facebook, little by little, which is what the OP has been trying to say this whole time.


So, yes, DK is infinitely more of an experience than MW, or any FB game. By FAR.

[royster]

Digital Jack, thanks so much for your clear explanation, and also your appreciation for Donkey Kong. (DAMN that gorilla!)

So take that further, and my deeper complaint is: what the hell kind of mentality accepts "Mafia WARS""? War is not acceptable. Mafia activity is not acceptable. How do we change these social ills if we keep indulging in their mentality? I was appalled to read the description of a military war game...'amass an army, conquer towns'. HUH!? Wait, aren't these the same Chirstmas carolers crooning 'peace on earth'? Oh, that's right : war stops for one day. Then it's manufacturing weaponry to keep the military industrial complex flush in profits.

"Oh, it's just a game".

It is a practice in double-think. "War is peace".

"Facebook is a social network". Sure, and "Ignorance is bliss".

As they say in AA, "If you sit in a barber's chair long enough, you're GOING to get a haircut.

[Digital Jack]

No prob. Like I said, it was brewing up in me for a long time, like a belch I've been holding back. Or something. >.> I should really be thanking you though for creating an appropriate thread to vent about this stuff, and for putting into words the hundreds of different things relating to the evils of Facebook, lots of stuff which Ive sorta known subconsciously for a while, but couldn't put into words.

And it's not really cause I love Donkey Kong, (that IS part of it), but I just used that as my reference since it was mentioned. I'm just tired of people saying the term "Facebook game", cause that phrase is literally a contradiction once you dissect what FB/Zynga games actually are. ANY game can be made well, with heroes, villians, goals, hazards, GAMEPLAY, ect, and the games DON'T need to be army/military related.


And if were talking about the 'militarization of video games'... well, that is a whole other topic for a whole other thread, but a HUGE topic at that. Call of Duty, BattleField Bad Company, Medal of Honor, Halo, Gears of War, Killzone, ect...and that only scratches the surface. An entire generation of people trained to LOVE the feeling of killing people. Please guys, if you are gonna play these games, at least try to realize what they are trying to insert into your subconscious mind, so you can put up a barrier against it. Although not spending money on them in the first place would be even better.

[royster]

Another 'thank you', Digital Jack. That's precisely what I meant.

"Modern Combat" allows teenage boys to interact with their friends via internet /headphone-microphone communications. I hear one of my client's kids play this games for hours (I do home improvement in their home) and I should record the crap that comes out of his mouth...I can only imagine what his buddies are saying, but those hours are spent stalking and killing "enemy"...as entertainment...and desensitising them to the real mentality of "life is cheaply expendable". When the Giffords shooting was occurring I was working there. The mother sat appalled at the news, and uttered, "How could this happen?" I asked if the game her own son was playing (at that very moment, upstairs) might be a possible influence. "Oh, no," she replied; "He knows what he's doing."

Another brush-away of the possible answer with "oh, that's just _______."

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"If you sit in a barber's chair long enough, you WILL get a haircut."

[moonrambler]

Interesting about Donkey Kong as a real game, Digital Jack. (Hey! Staying warm?!)

I've never tried playing any FB games so I have no experience with how 'real' they are.

[TaoPath]

I haven’t contributed to this thread, but I do have a few thoughts which may have already been discussed.

Facebook: The theory is good, but the practice is not in my opinion (this goes for everything else in civilised world as well)

What if, it went down for 2 weeks. People would realise how alone they are and this would scare the heck out of them. Some people are becoming too dependent on letting other people know who they are and that they are doing. This I guess, applies to forums on some level.

This all fuels the ego in a NEW way and could have detrimental effects on individuals and society. Living infront of the interent rather the beautiful world outside

In general, over the years communication has changed. It has been awesome in re-establishing contacts and creating new relationships, however underneath it I feel there is a de-evolution of the species when it comes to means of communication

Texting (of which I do a lot btw), twitter, fb posts etc have replaced talking on the phone and face to face communication. No wonder many people find it hard to socialise and start romantic relationships these days!

How many times have people written somthing, but due to the lack of tone etc the other person took completely thw wrong way?

The issue is not with us, its about the children. If they see this as the norm way of communicating it will become ingrained in society (maybe). I’m sure that won’t happen, as I like to think positive : )

Either way......think of the children !!

x

[GoingUnder]

Here's a thing.

I've never joined facebook, but I keep on getting invites from generic names that I have a message.

What's that all about?