The Evolution of Facebook: A Digital Museum of Life
Facebook, the social media giant, celebrates its 20th anniversary today. While many people have their reasons for disliking the platform, I’ve been reflecting on the role Facebook has played in my life and have come to a realization. It may be an uncool confession, but I believe Facebook has become a digital museum of life, capturing and preserving our memories in a unique way.
I remember joining Facebook in 2007, relatively late to the party. It was an exciting time, tagging friends in pictures and being tagged myself. The process was cumbersome with digital cameras and cables, but eventually, I posted pictures from an epic Halloween party where I dressed as Jonathan the YouTube Zombie. My early Facebook friends were confused, but I simply wrote, “I like turtles,” as an explanation.
As Facebook grew and more people joined, it began to change the world for better and worse. I even found myself on a viral list titled “The 12 most annoying Facebookers,” written by my future boss. Looking back, I admit I may have embodied several of those annoying personas at different times. But as my list of friends grew, so did the significance of Facebook in my life.
In 2009, around 40 friends wrote on my wall to wish me a happy birthday. That same year, when I announced that I was going to be a dad, a similar number congratulated me. As I grew older and had children, the content of my posts shifted from concerts and parties to the joys and challenges of domestic life. I found myself sharing mundane moments like loading the dishwasher or wandering the grocery store in confusion. And of course, there were the proud parent moments, like changing two diapers in two minutes.
But as the years went by, the frequency of birthday wishes on Facebook declined. Maybe the novelty wore off for everyone. In 2011, I wrote a status update about my groggy wife threatening to throw her alarm clock into a river. It was a lighthearted moment that captured the essence of our lives at that time.
The birth of another child brought new milestones and adorable moments. My favorite genre of Facebook posts became “Cute Thing My Kid Said.” I shared my daughter’s first five-word sentence, “I need more too, Mama,” referring to a doughnut. Other random kids also said cute things, and those moments became Facebook posts too. It was during one of these interactions at the park that a seven-year-old girl asked me what kind of girl my daughter would be. Her innocent curiosity made me realize that there are different types of girls, each with their own interests and passions.
As the years passed, the number of birthday wishes on Facebook dwindled further. In 2015, I faced a difficult year after losing my job at Sports Illustrated. I posted mysterious Bruce Springsteen lyrics that reflected my uncertainty about the future. Eventually, I found a new opportunity at CNN, covering the presidential campaign. In 2016, as we planned a family trip to Disney World, I received birthday wishes from only a handful of people, including my late sister-in-law, Jill.
By the time Facebook reached its tenth anniversary, I found myself posting less frequently. Memories from previous years would resurface, and I would share them with new comments and hearts. In 2019, only one person wrote on my timeline for my birthday. It was during this year that the coronavirus pandemic hit, and Facebook became a hub of activity as we sought connection and updates from the safety of our homes. We celebrated healthcare workers and paid tribute to departed musicians through virtual concerts on Facebook Live.
In July of that year, I turned 40, but Jill, who had always been a part of my birthday wishes, was no longer there to write on my wall. She had passed away at the age of 39 after a battle with illness. It was a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.
Despite my decreasing activity on Facebook, I can’t deny its significance in my life. It has become a digital museum, preserving the milestones and memories that shape who I am. It has made party invitations easier and connected me with old friends, classmates, and relatives who would have otherwise remained distant. Facebook has helped me remember and honor the dear people who have passed away, like Jill.
Of course, Facebook is not a substitute for real-life friendship, and someone else’s pictures can never replace our own experiences. But there have been moments when Facebook has deepened my appreciation for real life. During the isolation caused by the pandemic, I asked my friends what small things made them happy. The response was overwhelming, with 85 comments celebrating the simple joys of life.
Facebook has evolved over the years, and its impact on society is undeniable. It has its flaws, scandals, and privacy concerns. But for me, it remains a valuable
