Shortly after 2 p.m. today, a friend sent me an invitation to Facebook. I don't presently have a Facebook page. I haven't yet had the time to figure out what, if anything, I need Facebook for. So I did the same thing I've done with previous Facebook invitations: filed it in a folder so if I ever do get a Facebook page, I can befriend these folks immediately.
But before I even read the invitation--it came in while I was out at a library event, and then dinner--I got eleven notifications that other folks had added me as a friend on Facebook. Neat trick, since I'm still not on Facebook. I checked with a few of the friends, and found out that they got an email saying that the original friend "recently became friends with Donna Andrews and thinks you may know Donna too."
Recently became friends? Hell, we've been friends for years. Just not on Facebook.
So apologies, would-be Facebook friends. I'm not spurning your invitation to exchange public declarations of friendship. I'm not ignoring you. We're still friends, I hope, and can have a drink together at the next mystery convention.
But for now, your kindness in adding me to your roster of Facebook friends will, alas, remain unrequited. Because on top of not really knowing what Facebook could do for me, I'm also feeling a little peeved that Facebook may be using what I consider deceptive practices in its attempt to increase membership.
No offense to anyone who loves Facebook. Your mileage may vary. And I'm not saying I'll never join. Just that now it's going to be a little harder to convince me that it's worthwhile.
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