Jodi Marcus (C '18)
Street: Why did you delete your Facebook?
JM: Facebook is super helpful logistically. That's why I've only deactivated as opposed to deleting my account completely. The main issue for me was this idea of actively constructing a certain, flattering image of myself on my own profile. I find many active Facebook users to be blindly subscribing to a status quo of what it means to be cool and attractive. I didn't want to be a part of that.
Also, constantly taking pictures for social media detracts from whatever you are doing. Experience should be for the sake of experiencing! It's hardly about sharing memories; it's about self–validation.
Street: What is the best and worst part of Facebook?
JM: Worst – It really freaks me out that people know so much about individuals they have never interacted with because they see them in certain photos. I shouldn't know who you are and what your "social standing" is if I've never met you…But I do if I've seen your pictures on Facebook.
Street: Why do you think a lot of people at Penn are so dependent/obsessed with Facebook?
JM: Everyone gives such a fuck about what other people are doing! Live your own life. Stop caring.
Street: Sentiments on Facebook in three words...
JM: I'm off that.
Julia Fordham (C '16)
Street: Why did you delete your Facebook?
JF: I deleted my Facebook at the beginning of sophomore year, mainly as a way to stop wasting time and focus more on school. I quickly realized that there were still a million things to distract me from getting work done, so Facebook was never really the problem. I went a week without missing it and decided not to go back. That was almost three years ago.
Street: What is the best and worst part of Facebook?
JF: I’d say the best part about Facebook is keeping in contact with people who you don’t get to see every day. The worst part about Facebook was probably the time I had to log back in (my account is just deactivated, not completely gone) to reassign admin responsibility of a group I was in, only to be horrified by all the pictures of kids my high school classmates were having. It was nauseating.
Street: What is the worst/most embarrassing thing you have seen someone post on Facebook?
JF: There have been quite a few photos of nip slips, etc. that aren’t realized until later on and taken down/edited. Still, those could be cries for attention too.
Street: Why do you think a lot of people at Penn are so dependent/obsessed with Facebook?
JF: People are obsessed with Facebook because it's a way of carefully selecting and editing a perfect version of yourself that you want everyone to see. Unfortunately, the negative side to that is assuming everyone is as perfect and interesting as their Facebook makes them out to be.
Street: Facebook in 3 words...
JF: A measure of self worth (Ed. note: this is five words, but we'll let it slide).
Street: What changes would Facebook have to make in order for you to get one?
JF: I haven’t missed out from not having a Facebook, so really nothing could convince me to start one again. Although I'll be graduating soon, I’m quite sure the people I want to keep in touch with won’t let my lack of Facebook prevent that.
Aaron Dardik (C '17)
Street: Why did you delete your Facebook?
Aaron Dardik: Honestly, I really don't like seeing people happy without me.
Street: What's the best and worst part about Facebook?
AD: Best—you get to see people who've gotten fatter. Worst—you have to see people who've gotten hotter.
Street: What is the worst/most embarrassing thing you have seen someone post on Facebook?
AD: "I just had the worst day ever plz no one ask me why"
Street: Why do you think a lot of people at Penn are so dependent/obsessed with Facebook?
AD: Low self–esteem.
Street: Facebook in 3 words...
AD: Too many teenagers.
Rebecca Composto (C '18)
Street: Why did you delete your Facebook/why do you not have one?
RC: In high school, I made a Facebook because I wanted a discount at a clothing store, and you could get 50% off your first purchase if you liked their page. Then I found out you also had to invite five friends to like their page, and that seemed like too much. I don't use Facebook because I don't want the pressure to update my profile with a cool post or to look at other people's cool posts. I figure if it's really important, I'll find out eventually.
Street: What is the best and worst part of Facebook?
RC: I've never used Facebook for these purposes, but I would guess the best part of Facebook is finding out about cool events and keeping in touch with friends from far away.
Street: What is the worst/most embarrassing thing you have seen someone post on Facebook?
RC: I don't remember. Probably middle school pictures.
Street: Why do you think a lot of people at Penn are so dependent/obsessed with Facebook?
RC: Facebook is a combination of news, texting and email. It's a constant stream of new information, and getting new information can be pretty addicting.
Street: Sentiments on Facebook in three words...
RC: Uncharted territory (Ed. note: Again, not three words).
Street: What changes would Facebook have to make in order for you to get one?
RC: If you could touch someone's picture on Facebook and be transported to that location, I would use Facebook avidly.
Natasha Davenport (C' 18)
Street: Why did you delete your Facebook/why do you not have one?
ND: I don't have a Facebook because I think its just another way for me to procrastinate, which I can't afford.
Street: What is the best and worst part of Facebook?
ND: The worst part might be the pictures simply because you never know what others will post of you! The best parts of Facebook are probably the events and birthdays.
Street: What is the worst/most embarrassing thing you have seen someone post on Facebook?
ND: I have seen some pretty embarrassing party pictures that people's friends have memed... I probably shouldn't go into detail for their sake.
Street: Why do you think a lot of people at Penn are so dependent/obsessed with Facebook?
ND: Like all social media I think people use it so much just to put off work. Also as I mentioned earlier, some parts of Facebook can be helpful. Many groups on campus use it to promote events and even group projects for class have used it to communicate. And of course there is the stalking. I'll even admit to having my friends with Facebook look up people for me.
Street: Sentiments on Facebook in three words...
ND: Waste of time
Street: What changes would Facebook have to make in order for you to get one?
ND: Honestly, Facebook probably can't make a change that would make me join. The only way I can see myself getting one is if an employer asked me.
