TAHLEQUAH — Tired of Facebook yet?

Some say yes, while others say no, as they’re staying true to the social website’s initial intent of staying in touch with relatives or friends who live in faraway places.

Those who are experiencing “Facebook fatigue” say it’s due to endless streams of pointless detailed expression or time-consuming game requests and other activities. Telecommunications technology and Facebook have it made it possible to monitor electronic conversations, or inflectionless expressions, from people living all over the world – or literally across the kitchen table.

Some Facebook users have used the unrestricted access to other people’s lives to experience virtual family reunions; establish communities that share interests; or simply prompt political or other topic-sparking banter.

Responding the Daily Press’ Facebook post inquiring about reader experience and opinion on the social networking website, Josh Hutchins said he has a particular hankering now and again for Facebook conversation.

“I enjoy the lively discussions, to a fault almost. In fact, if I didn’t have to worry about money, I’d probably spend more time exchanging ideas and opinions on Facebook,” said Hutchins, who owns Tahlequah Recycling. “I could probably have no friends in a matter of weeks.”

Facebook can be a forum for idea exchanges or topic feedback. The website has also become a source of free advertising for businesses, civic groups and organizations, as well as offer a way for musicians or other entertainment-related individuals to self-promote and build popularity. The freedom to nearly say or post any image desired, however, brings some users dangerously close to harming other people, said Michelle Parnell.

“You’ve got to pay attention to what you’re putting on there because it is public,” said Parnell, who’s on staff at the Tahlequah Public Library. “It can come back to hurt people.”

Parnell has a Facebook account to stay in touch with family and friends.

“I’ve got family in Hawaii and other places, Afghanistan - all over,” she said. “So [I’m on Facebook to] keep in contact.”

Educator Lynne Arterberry’s son is in the military, stationed in Afghanistan, and she uses Facebook to maintain a connection with him.

“Sometimes the only way I know he’s OK - because he can’t call - is he can put something on Facebook. I can see he’s posted something and that’s my way of knowing he’s OK,” she said. “He’ll put pictures there sometimes when he can so I can see what he’s doing.”

What Arterberry doesn’t like about Facebook are the posts wherein people are sharing personal or insignificant details that hold no meaning or value.

“Some people are constantly sending things that are silly or take too much time. Really?!” she said. “I don’t have time for that. I’d rather read a book.”

Health care administrator Patti Gulager said frequent forays into Facebook have become a ritual. But she often prefers to read other posts, rather than contribute her own.

“Frankly I really like my iPad,” she said. “Sometimes I don’t post anything, but I like to keep up with others. I really feel like I have good friends from all walks of life.”

Tahlequah Tourism Director Kate Kelly agrees the social website is the best way to maintain contact with people living far away. She noted it can be an outlet of fun distraction when at the doctor’s office or waiting on a friend to arrive.

 

To see the complete version of this article, subscribe to the Daily Press e-edition by following the link below.

Click here to get the entire Tahlequah Daily Press delivered every day to your home or office.

Click here to get a free trial or to subscribe to the Tahlequah Daily Press electronic edition. It's the ENTIRE newspaper (without the paper) for your computer, iPad or e-reader.