Facebook Nation

I think Lori Andrews has taken to this idea of “Facebook as a nation” too quickly and without proper explanation. Just because there are however many millions of users does not automatically call for nation status. That’s like me saying that there are so many socks in my closet, they could be the 45^th largest nation in the world! It doesn’t just work that way.

I understand her point, and it is a good one. Facebook users have little or no protection from a “governmental entity” with regards to their privacy. There is no way to know who is watching you on Facebook. It can be scary when you think about it. But I have a very simple solution for Andrews: Don’t use Facebook.

It is very difficult to live in the real world without belonging to some nation. You need somewhere to live, you need food to eat, places to buy things, and opportunities to make a living. This is what a nation provides, in return for your consent to their policies (which far too many people in this nation don’t bother to learn). It is not so difficult, however, to live in the online world without being part of a nation. It does not provide you with any necessities for survival. Its major draw is communication, but it seems like Facebook isn’t even really about that anymore. Everyone is too busy playing Farmville.

For me, there is a clear line between a nation like the United States and a “nation” like Facebook, which Andrews attempts to blur. You have to allow your government access to your most personal information, that’s just how it works. You hope that they will protect it and not give your social security number to bad people, but it is unavoidable that they will have your information. You don’t have to give Facebook anything, even if you do choose to participate. Sure you have to register with a name and email address, but do you really think someone couldn’t find your name and email address anyways if they really wanted it?

People get into trouble because they don’t think about getting in trouble. People put personal things on Facebook by choice, and then complain when they are revealed. I don’t mean to be cruel, but, personally, I have no sympathy for people who do this, who post a picture of their shiny, new credit card, number and all. If you don’t know by now that the Internet is a dangerously insecure place, you shouldn’t be using it. We don’t need a more protective Facebook government; we need a less careless citizenry.