Show profile
Link to this post
Subject: Facebook Groups: Collective Individual Expression?
I've noticed a rather fascinating phenomenon on Facebook recently: people are joining groups that are less an appreciation of something than a reflection of trivial observations in their life. Where before people were likely to come together to enjoy the talents of a musician or express appreciation for a particularly clever gadget or enjoyable media release, they're now jointly musing about the problems they have with their mothers.
It's fascinating to watch people join these cleverly titled groups, and I propose in phase two of this research that I join a few and investigate the goings-on therein. Are they actively chatting about these collective life experiences, or are they simply creating pithy names, gathering members and then stagnating, like little sticky bubbles of social not-working ephemera?
These are actual group names:
I was waiting for a reply and then realized I never even sent the last text. Who among us hasn't had this happen to them? After you admit this, what do you talk about? I imagine five hundred people saying "OMG I did that one time, and etc etc!"
Yeah, ok, yes, yeah, yeah, ok, yes, ok, i know, ok, yes, BYE MOM. You know, my mom has different priorities than me too, and sometimes in my haste I just agree with her in the hopes she'll shut up.
People who drank a lot of Side FX beer and are now sad it is gone. Sometimes I exhaust my local supply of a product too! I should join this and see how they cope.
I love this one, it's particularly meta:
I hate my HomePage filled up with people joining groups, this is my protest. You see what they did there?
Working in hospitality made me hate people... A group of people dedicated to hating people! How delightful!
This group is so up-to-date it must resonate powerfully with people:
I had an affair with Tiger Woods.
When I was your age, Misty traveled with Ash and Brock. I don't even know what this means! Am I old? Perhaps it's an Australian thing? Oh, the intense conversations that must be going on within!
I'm so tired but I want to stay up and talk to you
. Ahh, young love. I wonder if this group shares any members with the next one:
I was going to go to bed early, but once again, that didn't happen. OMG this is SO the story of my LIFE! Or something. What could this possibly be, a group dedicated to failing, collectively, to stick to a goal?
I Constantly Check My Phone For No Reason. Oh, there's a reason. I wonder, if they work out what it is, will the group disband?
Got Mojo ?? Power hit right here. Power.
I Can Identify My Family Members By The Sound & Pattern Of Their Footsteps. And as soon as they can program a computer to do the same, total surveillance is real (but only the group's founders see any cash).
I Hate people who Whinge, Nag or Bitch on their facebook status ! A group of people new to facebook, clearly.
Coastal Super Fun Trip!!! Goal setting is not a strongpoint of Facebook users. I wonder if this trip will ever get off the ground. In phase two, I will join it and see. Will they let me come? Which coast will they visit? Gee, I hope it's one I've never seen.
Hide the Pumpkin. I can't stand this! How awesome must this group be?
I can't help but think people join them solely for the wacky names. Perhaps someone who has joined could let us all know how much active participation actually goes on?
I love it. You crazy kids keep on joining those crazy groups.
It's fascinating to watch people join these cleverly titled groups, and I propose in phase two of this research that I join a few and investigate the goings-on therein. Are they actively chatting about these collective life experiences, or are they simply creating pithy names, gathering members and then stagnating, like little sticky bubbles of social not-working ephemera?
These are actual group names:
I was waiting for a reply and then realized I never even sent the last text. Who among us hasn't had this happen to them? After you admit this, what do you talk about? I imagine five hundred people saying "OMG I did that one time, and etc etc!"
Yeah, ok, yes, yeah, yeah, ok, yes, ok, i know, ok, yes, BYE MOM. You know, my mom has different priorities than me too, and sometimes in my haste I just agree with her in the hopes she'll shut up.
People who drank a lot of Side FX beer and are now sad it is gone. Sometimes I exhaust my local supply of a product too! I should join this and see how they cope.
I love this one, it's particularly meta:
I hate my HomePage filled up with people joining groups, this is my protest. You see what they did there?
Working in hospitality made me hate people... A group of people dedicated to hating people! How delightful!
This group is so up-to-date it must resonate powerfully with people:
I had an affair with Tiger Woods.
When I was your age, Misty traveled with Ash and Brock. I don't even know what this means! Am I old? Perhaps it's an Australian thing? Oh, the intense conversations that must be going on within!
I'm so tired but I want to stay up and talk to you
. Ahh, young love. I wonder if this group shares any members with the next one:I was going to go to bed early, but once again, that didn't happen. OMG this is SO the story of my LIFE! Or something. What could this possibly be, a group dedicated to failing, collectively, to stick to a goal?
I Constantly Check My Phone For No Reason. Oh, there's a reason. I wonder, if they work out what it is, will the group disband?
Got Mojo ?? Power hit right here. Power.
I Can Identify My Family Members By The Sound & Pattern Of Their Footsteps. And as soon as they can program a computer to do the same, total surveillance is real (but only the group's founders see any cash).
I Hate people who Whinge, Nag or Bitch on their facebook status ! A group of people new to facebook, clearly.
Coastal Super Fun Trip!!! Goal setting is not a strongpoint of Facebook users. I wonder if this trip will ever get off the ground. In phase two, I will join it and see. Will they let me come? Which coast will they visit? Gee, I hope it's one I've never seen.
Hide the Pumpkin. I can't stand this! How awesome must this group be?
I can't help but think people join them solely for the wacky names. Perhaps someone who has joined could let us all know how much active participation actually goes on?
I love it. You crazy kids keep on joining those crazy groups.
BLEARGH
