I’m sure you’re asking yourself, why did you go to all the trouble to create a Facebook-like blog when Facebook is just right over there.  In fact, haven’t I even seen you on Facebook?

Yes you probably have seen me on Facebook.  I created a couple profiles recently only to kill them in short order.

Simply, I don’t trust Facebook.  Privacy issues, ads, data manipulation, etc.  When I’m on Facebook I feel like I’m on the toilet with a guard watching me.

My pictures are mine.  My thoughts are mine.  No one owns me and I want to keep it that way.

I’m fond of saying, “If you’re going to be alone, do it by yourself”.  On Facebook, every day you are bombarded with thoughts and feelings that are not your own.  Nuanced opinions aren’t always obvious.  You never know what’s going to set you off in the comments or on a person’s wall.

In addition, you see other people’s families, other people’s kids growing up.  For a single guy, it can be lonely.  All of which can create unnecessary distances between friends and family.  Suddenly you feel like an invisible Scrooge watching the family play charades.

Having said that, I see the value in a Facebook wall.  It’s nice to have a photo gallery that is neither my best work nor relegated to some corner of a dusty hard drive somewhere.  It’s nice to share my opinions but not expect anyone to pay any attention to them.  If I post something here, someone else has to go looking for it.

Facebook is a naked man at your front door knocking louder and louder — he’s not going away until he’s told you his thoughts about everything and he’s shown you all of his vacation photos.  Meanwhile he has a spy camera, he’s taking notes of your belongings, he’s rifling through your medicine cabinets, and he’s tinkering with settings of things that don’t need tinkering with.  I contend no one needs any of that.