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Ask HN: Did you delete your Facebook account in 2018?

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Re: Ask HN: Did you delete your Facebook account in 2018?

#341

Never had one in the first place. Facebook's entire existence deeply offended me from when I first heard about it, back in the .edu-only days. I got along fine before social media existed. I get along fine without it now.

Same to me. I never had a Facebook account and do not use Facebook. However, it did not offend me, but I still think I do not need it.

So, no, I did not (and cannot) delete my Facebook account in 2018, because there isn't any to delete.

Re: Ask HN: Did you delete your Facebook account in 2018?

#342
Yes. It was my New Year’s resolution on 31 December 2017 and I deleted my account on 1 January 2018. I’ve been able to focus on growing our startup and getting back to reading; I subscribed to the New Yorker and the Atlantic. That’s primarily how I get my news now. Being off Facebook means I don’t get invited to many events, but I’ve been surprised at how people have adjusted to emailing me or texting me instead. You certainly learn who your real friends are.

I also deleted my Twitter account which has been much more cathartic and healthier for me. I was a long time Twitter user, and followed a lot of very liberal people in tech. Unfortunately, after the 2016 election, most of their tweets became political, and my feed was all ranting, whinging, and hate. What’s even worse is that I’m in Australia, so even though I agreed with them, it wasn’t relevant to me.

Re: Ask HN: Did you delete your Facebook account in 2018?

#343

No. And it's a completely laughable idea. 1) Friends in California who keep the social group messaging on Messenger despite pleading with them to migrate so that I can at least uninstall Messenger from my phone. If you have lived in a variety of places, made friends in those places, and it's important to you to keep in touch with them, then they're on Facebook. The End. 2) Facebook properties are huge locally (Tel Av…

Quitting isn't a laughable idea. I live in California (SF Bay) and got all of Facebook's companies out of my life in 2017. I had over 2,000 connections there. Since leaving, my offline social life improved and I'm more productive, because I don't scroll through newsfeeds, waste time chatting online about things that are not related to work, or think about posting anything on Facebook at all.

I'm in the triple digits for connections. Most of those connections are people I met such a long time ago that I couldn't remember their names if you showed me their pictures, and couldn't remember their faces if you told me their names. I'm not on Facebook for them, I'm on Facebook for a) the few people I do care about split between a variety of time zones who won't migrate off the platform and b) features like groups which are irrespective of the number of connections I have. Besides WhatsApp which is a default here.

I also don't spend time at work on Facebook.

Re: Ask HN: Did you delete your Facebook account in 2018?

#345
ttps://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-delete-your-facebook-account-2010-5 I joined the Delete Facebook campaign back in 2010, I believe it was the first (big one), we were with 50.000 people. I never returned. No regrets. Eight long years, that's how long this awareness has already been widespread. Geert Lovink

Re: Ask HN: Did you delete your Facebook account in 2018?

#346
I haven't yet deleted my account, but I've been about 3 years 'clean' of Facebook - only dropping in briefly on my birthday as I know people like to wish people a happy birthday there.

I've made a real effort to actually connect with the friends I love and want to spend time with, and to text, call, email, write or visit them - all of which are much more impactful than a 'like on fb. I've 'lost out' on interacting with the huge group of friends that I had on Facebook, but you know what, they weren't friends, they were just people I knew or knew of. My real friends I've actually spent a hell of a lot more time with and on. And going from 500 to a 1000 people to 10 to 20 certainly felt like a downgrade at first but within a few weeks I was obvious that it was vastly better for me.

Although happy and successful in many ways, Facebook left me feeling anxious and like I wasn't keeping up. With things that I didn't care about. Talking in person removes all of that.

I've not yet deleted as I've not yet bothered to pull all my details off there, and I like to return just to tell people that it is OK to leave the party ;)

Re: Ask HN: Did you delete your Facebook account in 2018?

#347
I deleted mine in early 2017. I still have a “burner” account though. It was from back in the days when you needed a .edu address, and I figured out there was an alternate domain at my school that could be used to receive emails to the same mailbox. I’ve had that account since 2004. I use that to look people up, but I never post on it.

I do not miss Facebook in any way, nor do I feel I am missing out on any social stuff without one. My wife deleted hers as well and found it to be incredibly liberating. If someone wants to get in contact me, they’ll find a way. I generally prefer it if people don’t, though.

Re: Ask HN: Did you delete your Facebook account in 2018?

#348
Nope, but after an ex dropping in to randomly flame me for no real reason (perceived, but whatever), I just don’t use it. I have only a few photos from years ago.

I have no desire to send mass messages to the friends list I have. I have no desire to acquire a list of friends who want to hear me broadcast messages (is this weird?) I have no desire to listen to the inane posts people make. If I could come in once a week and get a valid chunk of ongoings that interest me - id drop in. But it’s almost always low quality stuff. Maybe my friends are just lame? Maybe I think humans are kinda lame, to sit and study?

Idk. I can’t find a reason to get into it.

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