Hey You ... "Like" This!

It's happened. We're officially living in a "like this" world. You know what I mean. How many of us "like" AC/DC on Facebook, or "like" your college alumni, or "like" running, etc. Everyday, more like every hour, we're getting requests to "like" something or someone on the social network that is Facebook. I can't even run on the treadmill at my gym without seeing a sign encouraging us to "like" the place on Facebook. Really ... we already pay to be here and still have to wait for a machine, isn't that enough?

Let's go back in time for a second. I remember when I was a sophomore in college and Facebook came out ... but was only available to students at certain colleges. I was one of the lucky kids who went to a Big 10 school (Go Badgers), so of course I signed up for it. All my friends back home were jealous ... well not really, and look, they all have it now anyways. Even my grandma could have a profile if she wanted one.

I admit that it's a phenomenon that's out of control ... but yes, I have a profile and I "like" stuff (those three examples above didn't come from no where). And, I put this blog up, hoping that at least one person will read it and enjoy it ... or at least laugh out loud at it.

What was once a social networking site for a few universities has become more of a marketing network. And, why shouldn't it be? If we didn't have groups to join and people to like, we'd still be looking at what the mean girls from high school are up to. This network, along with our smart phones, has also eliminated the need for planners. You receive constant reminders about the events you attend and you never forget your friends' birthdays. Soon, Hallmark may have to discontinue their line of Happy Belated Birthday cards.

It comes down to this. A lot of Facebookers just want to keep in touch with friends and put up pictures of their children and pets. And that's great. It's also great if you want to promote your Youtube station, band or blog (yes, I said it). Hey, it works. The creator of the site wasn't Time magazine's Person of the Year for nothing. If you're passionate about what you're doing and I get invited to "like" you, I most likely will. It can be a tough world out there ... Facebook shouldn't be complicated.

As for my gym ... until I don't have to wait forever and a day (slight exaggeration) for a machine, I'm not "liking" you on Facebook.