I started reading chapter 4 of “The Filter Bubble,” and literally 2 pages into the chapter, I read something that I found very interesting, something that I can relate to. Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Facebook interviewed with the author of the book “The Facebook Effect” David Kirkpatrick, in which they spoke about how Facebook, which is currently the largest social media network and holds the dominant share of that market in terms of users, has significanlty influenced the very nature of identity. Zuckerberg believes that people will no longer maintain numerous images of themselves through various social media outlets. In the book, he says that having more than one identity demonstrates a lack of integrity, and that people are starting to move away from it.
Later on in the chapter, Pariser mentions something that the COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg, says when speaking at an event during New York Ads Week. Sandberg says that “People dont want something targeted to the whole world — they want something that reflects what they see and know.” Pariser believes that Facebook’s ultimate goal is to have users reflect their true identities through their profiles, to the extent where other websites are able to incorporate users’ data through facebook alone.
I can relate to this. Being that I am currently on a hunt for a competitive internship, I try my best to make my facebook page look as “professional” and “polished” as I can possibly make it. But it doesn’t necessarly capture my true identity, it only demonstrates the professional side. So does this mean that I lack integrity? And what does this mean when others tailor their pages based on similar motives? If there are people out there creating different identities for themselves, how does this affect the way people acquire information through personalization?
This is an issue that many people really deal with, the idea that prospective employers have access to our Facebook accounts is a scary though almost, to think that one picture, one status can change the fact of whether or not we get a job or internship. The solution i used as well as many of my friends is that we use a fake name or make my account completely invisible to people who are not my friends, and when my name is searched i had set up that my Facebook does not come up, at least until i have secured my job position. Another alternative i had found was using http://www.linkedin.com/ its a place where you can create a professional profile, upload and design your resume as well as network with people in your said field.
I agree with you that your facebook profile does not reflect your true or whole self. I do not associate anything on the internet with anyone’s true identity. We use our own personal filters in creating our profiles. The filter bubble says that we selectively combine ideas to create new ones. But what about the ideas we don’t know or really the ones we don’t know that we know. We think we know ourselves pretty well but we are often really bad about describing ourselves. So you would inevitably write an inaccurate profile of yourself while trying to represent yourself in the most truthful way.
I personally think that internet profiles are meant to lie. I have a friend that uses cupid, a dating website. I told him that I am sure everyone intentionally lies on their profiles because they want to seem better then they really are. If I were to make one I would tell more lies then truths. I might even make several profiles and wait to see which ones worked best. I do not think that this reflects my integrity. I consider myself to have integirty and believe the internet is meant for BS.
As Pariser stated in chapter 4, Zuckerberg feels people will no longer have to maintain numerous images of themselves. I feel that if people aren’t found out about they “dishonesty”, then they will continue to alter there Facebook for various companies. Altering your Facebook for professionalism purposes does not necessarily mean you lack integrity. Although companies may use Facebook as a way to find out information about an applicant, its only one of many other ways to obtain information. There is the resume in which you provide, and of course the interview process which really shows who you are and what you are about. Therefore, if one were to adjust and create different identities, you can really learn about ones true identity through different and much more reliable ways other than Facebook.
When I think of facebook I tend to think of Myspace. Especially in the earlier years when Myspace was more popular and Facebook was just rolling out. For those that had a myspace, you would most likely notice you could personalize your page with backgrounds, crazy effects, and music, where as facebook is like a unibody. Everyone has the same page only different avatar. I believe that the way you express yourself on the web doesnt really reflect your personality in real life (RL). I think myspace tried to do this though with the whole customizable user page. But anyhow, there are users that will make multiple accounts. For example, famous artists, singers, youtubers will have their facebook fan page which is for the public and their own private facebook page for friends and family. If a user had two different accounts, one for business and one for regular everyday partying, he/she will be sure to see different ads tailored toward them, while not reflecting on their personality, it reflects the personality of the “Username” and not the actual user of facebook/myspace, etc….
I agree with the comment above. Not only facebook but any social media site you use does not reflect on who you are. I do not polish my facebook and the idea that I might not get an internship or a job because maybe they dislike what kind of music I listen to, books I read, movies I watch or people I follow.
I am 100% sure that at least every person who has a social media website has a white lie there or there. On the Russian site I use, called “odnoklassniki.ru”, me and all ofmy friends lie about our age, we all say that we are either in our 50’s, 60’s and even 100’s, that somehow makes us feel protected. I don’t think that our future careers should hold that against us, I would consider that as an invasion of privacy!
The issue of identity in relation to personalization opens up a broad discussion. I think many people struggle with balancing the desire to showcase their true self or identity to the world, while still appearing to fit into what society tells us to be. Personally, I feel that although there is a struggle, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate balance on social media websites. Too many people are more concerned with broadcasting their inner self on the web and they neglect to think about how this comment or that picture will affect them down the road. I don’t think people should feel like they lack integrity because they tailor what they post on the web.
However, in an age of increasing personalization people are being made to feel that they must always let people know where they are, who they’re with, what they’re drinking and who they’re dating. Years ago, it was respectful to be discreet. Today, your looked at strangely if you don’t participate in social media. But, personalization is definetly a reality. And refusing to participate will not get you anywhere. So, my suggestion is to be smart. You can present yourself to the world in a way that doesn’t cost you your future job or make your parents cringe.
I dont think that a your personal facebook page should be put into consideration when you apply for a job or not. Your skills and what you can bring to the table should be put into consideration instead of what you “like” or what you post. In my opinion facebook has become way too invasive in tracking your everyday life and it even became too complex to use, it just became too much overall, one of the main reasons I deleted mine (and i dont miss it). Overall I dont think employers should be looking at ones own personal page to decide whether you get a job or not.