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

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251–260 of 408 posts

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

#251
No. As an introvert with a rich inner life, it’s one of the only ways for me to share that life with friends. People who have known me for years find they don’t really know me unless they’ve read my writing or seen my experiences through pictures. (I almost never share third party links; all my Facebook content is self-created and is a form of self expression — I suspect I’m in the minority of Facebook users)

There are egg people and onion people. Egg people are knowable once you break the shell, but with onion people there are many layers to peel. I’m one of those people who, despite being outgoing, are hard to know in real life because I communicate much more easily through writing. Friends have told me it’s through my posts that they learn there’s a whole other side of me.

Yes I could start a blog or send emails, but everyone knows it’s not the same.

To me there’s inhererent utility in a platform like Facebook for introverts. If there was another platform that’s as widely accepted I would switch but due to the objective function to monetize, any company going down this path will be faced with the same ethical challenges.

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

#252

I didn’t delete FB but I cut my usage by >80% using a chrome extension I built to block the newsfeed. That way, I could still use messenger and view tagged posts without getting sucked into the blackhole that is the newsfeed. Here’s the extension if anyone is interested https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/marathon/nkhecjgkf... .

I cut my usage by logging out of Facebook and only using messenger.com (on my desktop browser, i would never install an app)

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

#254

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was really close to using Signal but ended up going with Wire. The requirement to use a phone number just didn't work for me. The multi-device support was also a bit lacking.

Can you elaborate on the "multi-device support" comment? Their app works on my phone and laptop, and I love that it's P2P so they don't have a central server like Wire. I also love that I can set messages to expire and they're gone for everyone. Open-source, secure, and funded by spite. Ha. * WhatsApp Co-Founder Brian Acton Injects $50 Million in Newly Formed Signal Foundation | WIRED || https://www.wired.com/story/s…

Different user, but I find the lack of iPad support to be a real drag. I mostly use my iPad around the house, so if I want to use Signal it means I have to trundle over to desk where my laptop is docked.

Backing up messages is also pretty clunky and non-automated on Android, and impossible on iOS.

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

#255
post #7

Almost. I started the process—downloaded all my data, etc. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go through with it for reasons I’m embarrassed to admit: 1. One entire side of my extended family relies on it for all familial communications. I was forced to use Facebook Messenger recently to help with wedding planning, for example. These people are addicted to it an have invested everything in it—Facebook knows their entire lives…

> People post pictures of me on Facebook despite my objections. Continuously. They tag me—despite my objections. With an account, I can make it difficult for an average person to find photos of me.

In the privacy settings there's a control so that you need to approve taggings of you before they go public.

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

#257

No. I actually created a Facebook account in 2018. The problem is that without Facebook you will miss out. Sure, close friends and family will invite you to their social events, but more distant acquaintances will not; you know, the bloke you met at the pub last week and had a 20 minute chat with, or that cute girl you talked to but then she suddenly she was dragged off to a birthday party by her friends. By missing…

I missed my friend's 50th birthday party because I wasn't on Facebook (haven't been for around 3-4 years), and he assumed that everyone he wanted there was. That stung enough for me to think about it, but whenever I see people scrolling through their feeds there's so much drivel that I immediately go off the idea again.

I missed my good friend’s moms funeral because Facebook decided that 2016 election bullshit was more worthy of my attention.

I’m sure he thinks that I’m a real heel as a result. Screw Facebook.

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

#259

I got banned from facebook this year. So some background. I used facebook as a normal user from 2010 to 2012. I thought it was stupid on day 1 but was peer pressured into it (thanks high school) and by 2012 I still thought it was stupid and useless so I quit. At various intervals between 2012 and now I've had shitposting accounts. Fake names and fake pictures but most people in the friends list knew who was behind th…

You're not actually as cool and edgy as you think you are. No one is impressed.

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

#260
Yes because I found it absolutely useless since I didn't interact with people much besides a friend who I forgot to tell I was leaving Facebook. Thankfully she emailed me so we could stay in touch.

I wasn't using FB a whole lot since it made me feel bad but what pushed me to the edge was their utter contempt for their users.

I doubt it means much given how big of an influence it has in the world however. And I'm not sure I'll get all those productivity benefits since I'll waste time on something else.

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