The Facebook Effect: Part One

After reading the first section of The Facebook Effect, it was not easy for me to conceive that Facebook began as a social networking site for the ivy leagues excusively. It seems so casual and commonplace,composed of mostly family, lifelong friends and neighbors. Maybe this is so because my facebook represents my lifestyle. Mark Zuckerberg had always intended it to be a site generated by its users, voluntarily. "Thefacebook had no content of its own. It was merely a piece of software-a platform for content created by its users."(p31) I am glad Zuckerberg insisted on keeping the site simple and minimalistic in design. It is what makes Facebook easy to use and appealing to all ages, unlike MySpace with its "distincitive Times Square look"(p75). It's not about dating, or meeting strange people, it's about making socializing easier. Also, Zuckerberg's resistance to Saverin's idea of banner advertising certainly kept the site looking more 'personal' and not like a commercial billboard, which is probably an added reason for its success. It is understandable how allegations of stolen ideas arose very quickly after Facebook's success. With sites like sixdegrees, houseSYSTEM, Friendster, and MySpace already in existance, Zuckerberg was obviously not the only person contemplating a social networking site. He was simply able to execute his refined ideas with the help of his co-founders. What is truly astounding is the actual "effect" of Facebook. The examples given of the FARC group and protests that followed, and of the elections in Iran are overwhelmingly inspirational. I never realized the serious impact Facebook could have on the world. I'm looking forward to finishing this book. :)