How Facebook Changed the World

You might have heard the buzz about “the Facebook movie” over the last couple of weeks, if not then definitely watch the trailer.  I’m sure I’ll go to see it, I mean Facebook has changed the world after all. Right?

Many of you SocMed types are probably thinking “Facebook didn’t actually change my world, I’ve been using tools like this to connect to colleagues and solve business problems forever.”  It may seem that way. Many, many, platforms have come and gone over the years. I know I was devastated when WorldWIT - Women. Insights. Technology shut down their site but somehow managed to find other venues.

Think about your daily life, how has it really changed your life? For me, now that everyone else is plugged in too, it’s all so much easier and different.  Now that these tools have made their way to the main stream, globally, I have to consider the impact it’s having on my world.  Change as significant as … land lines to smart phones or maybe as significant as railways to airplanes?

It’s the ability to obtain and share information, build relationships, share experiences that is shaping our culture.  As I’m writing today, my boyfriend is on video chat with me.  We work side by side almost daily though he’s across town.  My daughter lives her life out loud on Facebook, she lives like everyone is watching because they are.  How will that impact the psychology of her generation? I like to think it will evolve into generations with more and more integrity, empathy, and tolerance.  Now that’s change, real social change.

Still not convinced that Facebook has changed your world? What would happen if Facebook’s data was all lost? How many relationships would you lose? Would you still have contact information for all your Facebook friends? What about moments in your life that are recorded there? Birthdays, trips, photo albums, video’s, private messages of encouragement.

How big a hole would it make in your everyday life if Facebook caught on fire tomorrow and everything was lost?