Hey Guys, Check out this trailer for the movie The Social Network: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB95KLmpLR4,
then share your thoughts on facebook. Why is it so popular and so addictive? This is my idea, because it taps into the greatest marketable element around: exclusivity. The ability to be a part of something that others are exlcuded from. It's the basis of clubs, groups, cliques, societys, etc. According to the movie, Mark Zuckerburg invented facebook as a way to get the attention of the Finals Clubs, elite and extremely exclusive clubs on Harvard campus. It's ironic because (*spoiler alert for the movie) in the end he sells his best friend out of the facebook company and his friend pinpoints the reason why: when they were in college together, his friend was chosen to be in a Finals club and Mark was not. Exclusivity creates the most potent jealousy in people. But that's just how facebook began and how it first draws you in. Once you're in, what do you care most about? Not exclusivity at all. At that point it becomes all about attention. A status update. What does that even mean? It means informing everyone about something you are thinking, feeling, doing, seeing, smelling, tasting, without them having to be present to ask that question, "how are you?". Now, you want everyone to know what you are doing all the time. You "friend" people you hardly speak to in real life. The better to have more people with whom to share you interests, opinions, etc. Of course everyone wants to know things about you, right? Hopefully? I'll finish up here by saying that I really enjoy facebook. I find commenting on peoples walls, status', finding out how they're doing, viewing pictures, all very fun and interesting. However, I found it amazing how exactly it epitomizes a youth culture and everything about it that draws people in. It takes the entire idea of a youth culture and puts it on the internet with easy access to everyone. Which leads to the question, if facebook was at first intended only for Harvard, why did it become something for the masses :) It'd be interesting to see what you all think. Was its exclusivity just too marketable for its own good?
I do think that facebook was too marketable for its own good. This website allows you to connect with so many people and show who you are as a person. With facebook, there is no need to even get to know someone! All you need to do is become their "friend" and view there profile, and that will tell you everything you need to know. You can see what you have in common (whether it be other friends, groups, music, etc.), and then form opinions just by using the website. I find this amazing!
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