Chris, I completely agree with all your points. I left facebook about 4 months ago after having been on it 2 years, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why, but after reading your blog I think it sums it up perfectly. And after reading Lucas’ blogs, it completely confirms it! Facebook is not for me! I can’t help but feel that Lucas arguments were just that – arguments and not really against the points that Chris made. They were just voiced for the sake of voicing and although I am pretty good at that too, I really hate observing it in other people…!

I also feel a bit free after leaving facebook, like I am not a sheep following the rest of what society does. They all know it’s wrong in the sense that it enables stalking and kinda justifies people being really ’sad’ but the more people that conform, the less wrong they are made to feel!! That’s just my opinion anyway, hope it makes sense, not the best writer.

Ah ha! You’re Dr. Evil Advertising Guy! I knew it! j/k

It’s good to hear that most advertisers don’t have the time to filter down to that level and I realize it’s no different than what was/is done with television (i.e. stay at home mom’s love watching Rachel Ray so let’s advertise for a new mini-van, etc). Nor am I worried that they are going to do something malicious with my information – I think I get as frustrated as it sounds like you get over people who blame “the corporation” and “big business” for issues.

My main point was to raise some issues that people may or may not have thought about when putting stuff up online, whether on facebook or otherwise. Facebook happens to be the place to be right now and it is a more focused entity than the hundreds of random blogs around the web.

Truth be known, I’ve been drawn back onto Facebook just to be able to keep up with friends/family who don’t know how to use anything else. A bit like AOL in the old days.

Thats the thing.. I specifically work for one of those evil ad networks..I’m the guy that finds the sites to join, then we tag the site and with code that allows our ads to display…one of those very sites is facebook.. and speaking from experience.. you pretty much have nothing to worry about!…As per my original post, advertisers are working in Mass numbers..they don’t care of your profile says you like expensive electronics or cheeseburgers… all they care about is if you are Canadian, on the site and a male of female. THey don’t even age target because the age is averaged out based on the type / style of the site. Advertisers don’t have the time, money, resources or personelle to manage going through the trillions of bit of information. Its that simple.

The only true issue you have to worry about (again, per my last post), is that groups like the CIA have a share of Facebook as a company. THats what you should worry about. If you like posting about you love of Improvised explosives or your feeling that terrorism is great and like to post about it… I’d worry a little bit..but if you are just a normal guy/ girl sharing tales with your friends or posting pics your pretty safe.

I’d almost say its convoluted to thing people care enough to go after your information of qualitative nature (likes, dislikes, age hobbies)…..the only thing malicous people want is your SIN number or your credit card.

Get over it.. you’re not that special, Im not that special.. and I’m not gonna blame facebook just to make it seem like my information is valuable.

Just because you posted it, doesn’t mean there is some evil corporation looking for it…. 99.0% of it useless and unactionable!

Pew Pew Pew!

In my original article I wasn’t so much referring to applications that you install but more so Facebook itself that can sell very targeted ads based on the information you give them. Just a heads up for people so they realize what they’re getting into with it.

In my original article I wasn’t so much referring to applications that you install but more so Facebook itself that can sell very targeted ads based on the information you give them. Just a heads up for people so they realize what they’re getting into with it.

These applications are elective. You Do Not Have To Use or Accept Them! This is called the cost of doing business. Facebook has provided a canvass with which to post your life…applications are just brushes to help you paint a better picture (this is totally subjective)….but guess what! ..what did you pay for your account last month..or the month before? NOTHING! lol..its a totally free service and if you want to enjoy what facebook applications have to offer, you have to give up your info..thats the nature of society. webpages and server space and developers do not grow on trees. Somehow they need to eat too cause at the end of the day..the people pounding the keys are like you and me, they need money and don’t work for free. They use the info you give them for advertising initiatives and thats just the way it is.

If you don’t like it a) you should have done better research before signing up – like the same wayyou wouldn’t give out your credit card number without knowing what for – why is personal info any different and b) Deactivate your account.. less crap popping up in other people’s news feeds.

To play on the internet safely all you have to do is read a little before signing away… i just find it shocking how people learn of these thigns after the fact.

Cheers