Many people have been asking me to join Facebook since I've been away... They can't believe that i have not already join the emessley popular webservice.

Don't get me wrong I've heard plenty of great stories that make a strong case for social media websites like Facebook. It's been explained to me that rather than racking up a massive cellphone bill or sending out impersonal, form-style e-mails to all of your friends describing your latest exploits, you can simply update your Facebook profile with pictures and messages. People can check in and see how he's doing whenever they like and type out quick missives if they have something to ask or report about their own lives.

No question; Facebook can be a great tool for keeping people apprised of your life. And, of course, can offer plenty of amusing distractions. Just about everyone I know is hooked on a Facebook. However, despite these and other benefits that come with Facebook , I have repeatedly refused to hop on board this particular craze.

My aversion to FaceBook might seem crazy especially since i'm overseas, but it my understanding that most popular cultural websites and online applications are essentially fads that come and go with societal moods. What's more, no one site or service ever becomes the standard for all users - Facebook may be the most popular social network amongst Canadians and Australians at the moment, but there are still those who prefer MySpace, Microsoft Live Spaces, Bebo, or any of a number of smaller, niche services.

Then there's the trolling factor. I realize that plenty of people enjoy using social networking applications to find long lost acquaintances and either reconnect with them or gossip about them with their current chums. This functionality simply doesn't appeal to me. I have no particular desire to connect with friends past. What's more, I prefer that people I once knew not to have the ability to easily find out information about me.

Of course, many social networking services provide extensive privacy options to let users keep their profiles unsearchable and hidden from everyone save those whom they personally invite to have access. But this rather defeats the primary purpose of social networking, which is to create interconnecting communities that allow people to easily communicate with friends and family, meet new people with similar interests, and connect with professional colleagues to do business.

However, if I'm being completely honest, the real reason I continue to not become involved in social networking is basically Time. Over the years I've watched my friends, family, and colleagues become obsessed with checking their Facebook or even myspace profiles. I've seen them spend whole hours on these sites as they play games, comment on friends' pictures, take quizzes, post comments on other users' profiles, and hook up with themed groups. I don't want to knock any of these activities. They all have their own purpose and value. But they're also serious time drains that I feel I can ill afford to get roped into.

So i'll just stick to my blog... :)