Since it was first launched in February 2004, Facebook has become one of the most used worldwide social networking services, giving you the opportunity to interact with different friends, family, and other associates that are significant to your life. So why does writer and critic William Deresiewicz believe that Facebook is the reason why “friendship has become both all and nothing at all” (Deresiewicz)? In his article Faux Friendship, Deresiewicz criticizes Facebook and how it devalues the state of true friendship. The writer believes that the social site is a major source to the substantial change in real companionship. In fact, he asserts that the network has created an adverse effect upon friendships throughout most recent years. While I do agree that the status of friendship has changed within time, I disagree with Deresiewicz’s overall stance upon Facebook and its impact on relationships.
Deresiewicz’s creates an overly critical article in which he exaggerates a problem that does not exist. Deresiewicz fails to understand the change throughout generations especially within a highly technological society. Instead he conveys a narrow minded perspective on “contemporary friendships” without highlighting the positive aspects of Facebook. The author claims, “ the new social-networking Web sites have falsified our understanding of intimacy itself, and with it, our understanding of ourselves” (Deresiewicz). In opposition to this statement, Facebook has become a source for people to express themselves through personal statuses, photos, videos, music, notes, and etc. The site has also been a way for many individuals to show intimacy and affection to one another. For example, couples can express that they are in relationships, post on each other’s wall expressing themselves and they can also show their affection through photos, video, and music. Ultimately, Facebook may for many people (just as it is for me) be a simple social website that allows you to have some fun with a few close friends and associates throughout a busy day. If something such as Facebook can truly alter the state of a person’s relationship with others then I believe there is truly a problem with that individual and his or her communication skills. Moreover, if technology can diminish a friendship then that relationship was not real to begin with. Ultimately, true friendship and companionship is marked by trust, compassion, and reciprocity and neither a social network, or a change in generations and technology can change that.
-Reginald Leach
VoiceOver
Deresiewicz’s creates an overly critical article in which he exaggerates a problem that does not exist. Deresiewicz fails to understand the change throughout generations especially within a highly technological society. Instead he conveys a narrow minded perspective on “contemporary friendships” without highlighting the positive aspects of Facebook. The author claims, “ the new social-networking Web sites have falsified our understanding of intimacy itself, and with it, our understanding of ourselves” (Deresiewicz). In opposition to this statement, Facebook has become a source for people to express themselves through personal statuses, photos, videos, music, notes, and etc. The site has also been a way for many individuals to show intimacy and affection to one another. For example, couples can express that they are in relationships, post on each other’s wall expressing themselves and they can also show their affection through photos, video, and music. Ultimately, Facebook may for many people (just as it is for me) be a simple social website that allows you to have some fun with a few close friends and associates throughout a busy day. If something such as Facebook can truly alter the state of a person’s relationship with others then I believe there is truly a problem with that individual and his or her communication skills. Moreover, if technology can diminish a friendship then that relationship was not real to begin with. Ultimately, true friendship and companionship is marked by trust, compassion, and reciprocity and neither a social network, or a change in generations and technology can change that.
-Reginald Leach
VoiceOver
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