People who play — and work — in the online space are so scared that they might be caught addicted to a has-been technology that there is a race to proclaim “The next bubble!” or “The next Facebook!” or, if they really want page views, “Why Google is near its end!”

Yawn.

Can we enjoy the moment? Please? Can we just appreciate that Facebook has caught us a bit unawares, with its quick uptake and addictive platform? And can we get rid of those ants in the pants, and just sit still at one website for more than a nanosecond?

I subscribe to hundreds, literally, of blog feeds. I “follow” some pretty darn smart people on Twitter. I have Google alerts flowing into my inbox. And the phrase “You heard it here first …” has become very, very popular.

There is a race going on, and there is no finish line. I’m getting tired of running, so I have chosen to become a spectator. Much better view from up here, anyway, ;-)

So, you heard it here first: Facebook is not a bubble. Here are some reasons why:

  • Much time has been invested in Facebook by the millions who use it. And the more bandwidth we get, the more information we have access to, the less time we have to take it all in. So reinventing the wheel, or in this case our social network and interaction, is too time consuming. We will stick with what works.
  • Facebook is a two-way street. What makes it so popular is that unlike blogs, websites, LinkedIns and Tumblrs it is a lot of fun even if we don’t spend too much time intellectualising it. That’s because there are a lot of things coming into your Facebook profile without you having to create a whole lot of output. We can shoot off a quick message, buy someone a virtual drink and play a game of Scrabble and that is good enough. There is no obligation to update, post or write a long letter. We stay in touch effortlessly.
  • Facebook can make you more productive. Much has been said about this in the endless “Corporates should/should not ban Facebook” debate, but if you choose to make Facebook a marketing platform for your professional life as well as your social life, it shouldn’t be difficult to see positive benefits.
  • Facebook acts as a bridge between the net-savvy group and the not-so-savvy group. Whichever one you belong to, you would be amazed at how many people belong to the other group. Now, or very soon, you will be able to stay in touch with your great-aunt Helda, or your smart 15-year-old nephew. There are very few platforms that work well between the two groups (email is another one) and Facebook does so in a rather entertaining way.
  • Facebook does what it does very well. Sure, we might all have a wish list of what it could do more, but so far, so good. It helps you find old friends and it helps you stay in touch with them. It does the same for business contacts, if you wish. You can make your profile appear very professional (no zombie applications) or you can just relax and have fun (and find out who has a crush on you).
  • Facebook is run by some very smart, proactive people. They seem to know exactly what to do, and when to do it, to keep your interest. They won’t let you move your attention somewhere else without a big fight.

    • We’ve now been in the online world long enough to realise that even if you are on the right track, just sitting there will ensure you get run over by a speeding train. Facebook is that train. So is Google. LinkedIn has been run over and is in recovery. MySpace is telling everyone it is fine, but it actually needs serious surgery.

    Just because we participate in this fickle world of the internet does not mean that we have to assume that everything on it is fickle. It is completely acceptable to find an online tool, fall in love and commit to it. We have this relationship with Google, and if the Facebook people keep their eye on the ball, there is no reason why we should stray.

    Make no mistake: Facebook is not a global phenomenon, although there are signs that it might become one. (I hear usage of it in Asia, specifically Hong Kong, is rising fast.) But it is a phenomenon in our world, and will continue to grow.

    Let’s not kill it just because we are scared of its success. Let’s rather learn to enjoy it.

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    Eve Dmochowska

    Eve Dmochowska

    Eve Dmochowska spends her day playing on and with the Internet, and thinks it is a rather fun way to make money. She is the founder of Crowdfund,...

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