I remember when we all had Xanga. Then we all had MySpace. Then we all got Facebook, and I thought it would stay a few years until the next thing.
Though I spend WAY too many waking hours on it. Like, WAY too many, I think that it really is a treasure to have. I spent my evening looking through everyone's Facebook "ten year" videos. And the best parts were to see everyone's most "liked" statuses. All were about achievement. None were negative. Most were about jobs. Some were sentimental. All were success stories. And I know that facebook didn't generate the most "liked" ones because mine wasn't up there. When I got my job, I got more than 200 likes. I say that not to brag at all, but to point out that Facebook is a tool for us to share and take part in one another's success stories. When I have friends get engaged, likes easily go above 200. Just two days ago a former colleague got a dream role in an off-broadway play, and two days later got to be on the Price is Right. He got almost 300 likes each time. It is not the only measurement of our success, but a large piece of our support system as a society.
Last night, I went through my timeline, and I could really hone in on specific events. I was on Facebook for at least an hour, reminiscing through countless photos, posts, friendships, videos. It was an extremely reflective and personal experience that I recommend everyone does. I've only had facebook for 7 years. In 20, it will be an incredible photo album, and a more permanent way of remembering life. Cheers to you, Mr. Zuckerberg.
