V. Thomas
Thanks to the internet boom, American culture (as well as culture in other countries) has slowly been morphing into a not entirely new, but none the less different, culture. One of the ways this has been happening is through the website Facebook: an online community that connects individuals through both time and space.
Important aspects of American society are the need to feel connected in a community yet also to live a life of non-dependence and individuality, a sometimes contradictory aspect of our culture. However, Facebook has allowed these seemingly incompatible aspects of our culture to coincide and thrive. American society is all about independence and individuality, something one can satisfy quite easily on Facebook. Facebook allows a person to individualize it to their liking. What kind of applications are added, what pictures you put up, who you allow as your friends, your quotes, your likes, and what groups you join are only up to you. From the safety of your computer you are dependent on no one. Facebook allows you to connect and fulfill that feeling of community without the feeling of responsibility that would typically make one dependent in face to face society. In short it’s connection without constraint - the feeling of community without sacrificing the independence and individuality that is of such great importance to our superstructure.
Because of its easy access and the fact that time and location are not hindrances in the ability to use Facebook as a networking tool, Facebook allows the American society to keep connected with friends and family in a way that may not have been possible before. Families that are separated by distance (physically, emotionally, or just in the schedules of their daily live), may find it easier and more convenient to stay connected through Facebook. Staying connected as a nuclear family is important in American culture as is convenience. It seems our entire infrastructure is built around convenience – Malls, bookstores, super Wal-Mart’s, supermarkets, self-checkout lines – it’s all so convenient. However because of our independent, individualized lives, it’s often difficult to stay connected with the ones we love. The Nuclear family and romantic love are also important aspects of life. They mould the social structures of our culture. Facebook is on the internet, when you write to someone, post something, do anything, time and location is not an issue as it is in “real life”. You can send out the connection – the love, the relationship builder- whenever it’s convenient for you. Night shift worker? Busy during the day? College student study habits? Go ahead, Facebook allows you to connect at anytime.
I could send my little sister a love bit. Something short and sweet, a note, a graffiti post, a photo, just to cheer her up and keep us connected – at 3am in the morning. She may not be awake at 3am, but with Facebook it doesn’t matter. I can send her my individual love when it’s convenient for me, and she can receive it when it’s convenient for her. She may not get it till lunch the next day. But that’s ok. That is one of the things that make Facebook so popular to the American majority. It’s an online community that allows you to connect and express yourself in an individual, independent way, to people you love (or hate) conveniently. It reaches Americans culture on all levels.