Recently Facebook changed their privacy policy significantly, beyond that, they showed the future they are attempting to build – or a part of their soul.
I must go back to why I started using Facebook instead of Vox.com.
Two primary reasons I liked Vox.com:
1. privacy settings – most of my posts were set for “only me & my wife”. My extended family was on Vox.com & we shared with only those we wanted.
2. simplicity – Vox.com was easy enough that all my family could handle it, especially the privacy and security options.
Eventually I set up a Facebook account, but did not use it much. Then, one day, the option to do friend groups/lists on Facebook & post stuff only for specific people or lists appeared.
I was thrilled.
I started pushing my friends and family to set up Facebook Accounts; it was simple & secure enough and focused on sharing with small groups of friends. Friend Lists were a little difficult to teach people to use, but over time many people got it.
Issues Today
I have two fundamental issues with Facebook:
- I no longer trust them with my friends & family
- I do not like the direction they want to go
There are many potential business models for a company like Facebook. Wanting to push everyone to share more and more is understandable.
In fact, sharing has great value, both to the company and the individuals.
Yet, that was not the deal I signed up for.
It would be similar to my favorite Pizza Place suddenly turning into an Italian Pasta Place. The food might be similar …. it might have a similar atmosphere, but the product that I went there for fundamentally changed.
BUT, there is that new “easy” security System!!!!
Yes, they set up this simple page.
My short view of the *new* privacy settings page is – it was a needed step, but does not really hit the two issues I have & is more complicated than they said it would be. You do not “one click” to turn off the apps or the instant personalization & you should. You also should go through lots of customization options.
My Plan
I cannot bring myself to totally leave Facebook at this moment.
If not for any other reason, when the great Facebook replacement(s) come along, I want to be able to help bring my friends and family over. It is also my only contact point to many people today & I believe in reaching people where they want to be reached.
Thus, my plan is:
1. focusing on JonathanNation.com — de-emphasising facebook
2. stopping actively using F*B – deleting from book marks I auto open each day – and removing the icon from my home screen on my phone & developing a system to auto shove posts of mine into facebook
3. show people ways to achieve their goals without using Facebook
Basically I am going back to the concept of a personal hub. My personal brand/website that I control – JonathanNation.com
It just happens that I drifted into primarily sharing stuff with the world on Facebook for a while.
I am also going to continue to coach people in developing their own personal brand.
