Which is better, a person’s blog or their Facebook page? We could spend hours… no, days… aw heck, the rest of our lives debating that question. But, truthfully, it isn’t a fair question. It is tantamount to asking which is better – strawberries or chocolate, it all depends…
I have a blog and a facebook page (and linkedin, twitter, wiki, etc.) and so do many of my students. Here’s the rub. A student asked if I kept up with the students on facebook or primarily through their blog. My answer, "I prefer their blog,’ started me thinking. Why do I prefer reading a persons blog vs. visiting their facebook site.
A few random thoughts –
A blog shares the most important elements about the person or their thoughts, straight from that person. Facebook tells me… EVERYTHING! Too much sometimes. Every picture they own, what their favorite movie is, what their relationship status is, religious views, conversations with friends, links to other friends, work history, toys to play with and on and on and on. Don’t get me wrong, I have a facebook page and share much of the same. But when I leave a person’s facebook page I don’t know anything more about the person than if I had broken into their house and stolen their computer.
Their blog tells me only the most important elements – what are their favorite pictures and why, what is their favorite movie and why, why they think all the money, effort, and tissue paper used for the OSU Homecoming weekend is or isn’t worth it. I know I don’t get the complete picture of the person but that is okay. What I get has depth, keeps me interested and coming back for more.
Bottom line – facebook promotes the surface and superficial (idle chatter amidst a group) and a blog promotes depth – one on one conversations.
Do I have a use for facebook? You bet! I love facebook and look forward to all its uses being identified. I look forward to its continued growth and development. Hopefully, someday all the world have a facebook page and I will be able to stay touch with any of my friends, students and contacts. Wouldn’t that be nice? Best of all, I would stop forgetting everyone’s birthday!
By the way, you can find me on facebook here:
i think blogs are more insightful than facebook. facebook has became almost to creeperish. people put way to much information about themselfs on there.
Glad to hear than you appreciate the small town atmosphere. I’m from Medford, Okla. North of Enid about 30 miles.
Blogs are definitely a lot more insightful and interesting than Facebook is. I’m having a lot of fun with this project!