Why I’m Not on Facebook
Brant Pinvodic (2014)
Film Review
This is a documentary by a father struggling with the decision whether to allow his 13 year old son to join Facebook. After interviewing the Winklevoss twins, who claim to be the true originators of Facebook,* Pinvodik conducts a weird experiment in which a group of young Facebook fanatics construct a glamorous fake profile for him. When he’s instantly bombarded by “friend” requests, he phones a number of his new “friends” and attempts visits them at home. He’s extremely surprised by the number of celebrities who “friend” him, including Roseanne Barr.
He then consults an investigator who demonstrates how easy it is to access our personal information online – even when we aren’t on Facebook. Within minutes the investigator locates Pinvodic’s drivers license number, tax information and Amazon purchases, as well as the school his kids attend.
Pinvodic finishes with an examination of Facebook addiction. In addition to interviewing a teenager who spends 12+ hours a day on Facebook, he visits a psychologist specializing in narcissism. The latter maintains that Facebook appeals to two of the most powerful human emotions: narcissism and insecurity. By making ordinary people feel famous and significant, it enables them to become stars in their own limited universe.
In the end, the filmmaker concludes Facebook has both advantages and drawbacks. It can help people find jobs, kidney donors and long lost friends. On the downside are its addictive potential and the immense amount of personal information it collects for the benefit of US intelligence and corporate advertisers.
*The twins eventually sued Mark Zuckerberg, who currently runs Facebook, and won a $65 million settlement Winklevoss Twins Win Facebook Settlement
The Most Revolutionary Act 
The number one reason why I don’t want to sign up for Facebook is because I most definitely don’t want Roseanne Barr ‘friending’ me! Oh, the horror!
But seriously, I was on Facebook for about two minutes 3 years ago and I am pretty sure that my profile is still up on there. I told so many lies when answering their questions, I forgot who I was. I really don’t understand the hype. I really don’t. When I was taking care of my mother several years ago and was in my hometown, my niece would come over my mother’s house and tell us about how members of the family were feuding on Facebook and threatening to kick each other’s ass. So, if that is the reason why people sign on to Facebook….to find family they don’t like and make an appointment to kick their ass, I’d just as soon stay off Facebook. I’m not on Twitter either. I was, for about 2 seconds several years ago and I just couldn’t put up with it. Apparently, I am the ‘Supreme Non-Conformist’. And I am SO thankful!
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Bravo, Shelby. I confess that I am on Facebook mainly for political reasons. We use it to organize political protests here in New Plymouth, as it seems much more efficient than emailing everyone or ringing them on the phone. I wouldn’t dream of using it to post personal information about myself. The NSA and CIA know too much about me already.
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Dr. Bramhall, I posted a comment, but I think it is in your ‘trash’ folder.
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I was on Facebook for about 3 years and only joined because of pressure from family and friends, but even 3 years was too much. I deleted my account 6 years ago and have never regretted that decision. If Facebook was a human being instead of an amoral corporation, it would either be dead or in jail by now.
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Excellent point about Facebook’s amorality, Robert. I honestly think Facebook the corporation could be prosecuted, though, mainly for anti-monopoly, tax evasion and fraudulent use of user data. I was part of an EU class action suit for 3 years for Facebook’s failure to disclose how they employed user’s data.
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What was the result of that lawsuit, dare I ask?
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They have discontinued the suit in the Austrian court where it was originally filed and plan to file in Ireland instead.
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I see, thanks.
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I’m no longer an active Facebook user, but continue to maintain my account for easy access, whenever necessary.
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I find myself in a similar situation, Rosaliene. People sometimes send me various political documents and films that I can only access via a Facebook link.
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I agree with your points. Mark Zuckerberg’s corrective action on Facebook’s policies may be a tad too late for data privacy, especially in 4 Asian countries (making up 25% of global population and more than 316 million Facebook users vs. USA’s 230 million – read this http://bit.ly/2G1RiLw) who are approaching elections very soon
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Thanks so much for your comment and link, South Asia. It’s useful to have access to information about Facebook penetration in Asian countries.
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do Follow our page too, thanks
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