Facebook 'acquaintance' or 'friend'?

[Good Grief]

After being on Facebook for a while, I see that it is rather boring. Many people sharing the most inconsequential information about themselves. Do I care what time you go to bed or what you had for breakfast?

I am over 50 years old, and thus am used to speaking to 'friends' in person, phone or now via e-mail, rather than via some internet site.

After watching a TV show last night, part of the theme was about how many 'friends' one person had. They admitted they contacted every possible person they knew and asked them to be their 'friend'. This way they reached 1,000 'friends' and saw this as some sort of great achievement!?

Are people really so shallow?

The dictionary (remember those?) defines 'friend' as:
"A person whom one knows, likes and trusts; a commrade, supporter."

To become a friend requires time, effort, shared experiences, building of trust, etc...

How - may I ask - is a an 'acquaintance' (someone you know through a relationship less intimate than friendship.... Websters New College Dictionary) been turned into a 'friendship' just because they are part of your Facebook site?

In my opinion, there should be two categories in Facebook, one for real 'friends' and one for 'acquaintances'. But, alas, this would ruin peoples sense of power over others by being able to brag on how many 'friends' they have - despite the superficiality of that 'friendship'.

It's a different world out there now!

[Alfie]

i sincerely agree

[Insanehorn035]

Thats not really a question, but I will put in my two cents worth of information.

Yes you are right, many people seem to be consumed in the numbers not the quality of friends. I too am in my 50's and I too think many of those inputs are basically dumb and boring, but to put a better turn towards those people.

For one, many are hard workers with one, two or more jobs, maybe in school, may have kids and are limited in the visiting friends department now-a-days. Or in my sons case, he is in the Army in Afghanistan and he inserts things so I and friends can see what he is up to.

But recently many businesses are beginning to use social sites like Facebook to basically advertise to their 'Friends List'...

But back to the gist of what you asked, maybe they should have different levels of friendship on there, make a suggestion to the people on Facebook, maybe they will take your suggestion into consideration.

[Garfiun]

Im 19 and when i first set up my facebook account the first thing i done was see how many "friends" i could get but looking at it now of all the people i am friends with only a few i really know so your idea could work.