Facebook. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Scott Thompson writes a biweekly column for Borderstan.com.
From Scott Thompson. Follow Scott on Twitter @foureyedblond or email him at thompson[AT]@borderstan.com.
I knew Facebook had entered a new era the moment Dancing With the Stars appeared on my newsfeed.
Said event took place Tuesday, May 22, at approximately 11:00 pm EST.
Up until that hour, I had been casually aware of a cultural shift taking place on Facebook. It began when wedding albums started to replace sorority formal pictures, and became quite apparent the first time a terrifying 3D ultrasound image parachuted from outer space on to my newsfeed.
However, on Tuesday evening, after discovering the following conversation between my mother and her Bunco friends, I realized that Facebook had undergone not only a cultural shift – but a permanent generational one.
BUNCO FRIEND 1: Watching Dancing finale. Derrick and Maria were robbed. They should have been in the finals. My vote is for Kathryn. (Tuesday near Louisville, KY via mobile)
BUNCO FRIEND 2 : Didn’t see that one coming – of the 3 I think Kathryn was the best.
MY MOTHER: They all were great but I agree that Kathryn was the best. But boy am I ever going to miss watching William shake his bum!!!!
BUNCO FRIEND 1: Those football players always have a huge fan base. He was good but she was awesome. Oh well… next year.
BUNCO FRIEND 2: Oh I’m right there with you. He was nice to watch ;p
BUNCO FRIEND 1: Amen. I think Bruno is going to miss him too! ;0)
BUNCO FRIEND 3: Haha! I love this! I loved Maria and Kathryn! Great season!
Like most mid-to-late twentysomethings, I do not watch Dancing with the Stars. I have no idea who Derrick and Maria are, and I will likely have permanent emotional scars from reading one… two… three… four exclamation marks after my married mother’s public use of the word “bum.” However, Tuesday night’s conversation did provide me with valuable insight into the future of Facebook — or, as many in my generation would say, its end.
Not more than seven years ago, The Facebook (as it was called) was an innocuous website designed solely for use on college campuses. Right from the start, it introduced new words and phrases into my generation’s social lexicon — “friend request,” “profile picture,” “poke.” Our parents had nary an idea what those phrases meant when they came up during the 2004 Thanksgiving dinner conversation — and we relished that exclusivity.
Today, Facebook is a $100 billion dollar, publicly traded company with more than 600 million registered users around the world. News outlets use it to pump out stories. Companies use it to sell clothing. Above all, “others” use it – other generations, both younger and older.
According to recent statistics, 46.4% of Facebook users are under the age of 25 and 27.5% are over the age of 35. As a result, the words “Prom” and “orthodontist” now have prime real estate in newsfeeds. Boozy 60th birthday photos will soon eclipse boozy 30th birthday photos. Most shocking, Stein Mart — the mythical land our mothers used to frequent “because you wouldn’t be-LIEVE the brands you can find in there” — has, at last count, 269,257 Facebook followers.
It’s the end of an era.
As a frequent Facebook user, I can in no way criticize the uncharted joys and addictions others generations discover when they register for Facebook — nor do I encourage a Facebook purge of anyone too young or too old to quote Saved By the Bell. But I do lament for the good old days when Facebook was the unique property of my generation — of our time — of our zeitgeist.
I feel the same way I imagine my parents would feel if I ran on stage at a Doobie Brothers concert within minutes of their arrival, grabbed the mic, and announced to the world, “LIKE! It looks like you and Mom are having fun! Call me tomorrow. Love, Scott.”
Yes, the Doobie Brothers are open for all to enjoy. But please remember — and respect — who discovered them first.
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From Tom Hay. Questions for Tom? Send him an email.
The Dupont Circle Village will hold their first major fundraising event, which will have the theme “Give Your Heart to the Village.” The silent auction will support the neighborhood non-profit organization devoted to enabling Dupont Circle residents aged 50+ to remain in their homes and community as they grow older.
The Village, primarily through volunteers, aims to help residents retain their independence by providing help as needs arise regarding illness, disability, temporary hardship and home maintenance. Members of the Village pay an annual fee for access to the services and social events. Many local restaurants also offer discounts to members. There are currently 105 members of the Village.
Every wonder exactly how the police department and justice system work in D.C.? From the MPD’s 3rd District Listserv:
The Metropolitan Police Department in partnership with the DC Office on Aging is currently finalizing plans to hold its next Senior Citizen Police Academy. The academy classes will begin later in September and end before the holiday season. The classes are scheduled to last six weeks, with 3-hour sessions held twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
The series of classes and the academy are designed to educate DC’s senior residents on the internal operations of the criminal justice system and to empower them to get more involved with improving the quality of life in their communities.
Classes will focus on the following topics and areas on interests:
- The organizational structure of the Metropolitan Police Department and Citizen Advisory Council.
- The organizational structure of the DC Office on Aging.
- The process of the District of Columbia’s Judicial System (MPD, OAG, USAO, Superior Court).
- Community Policing.
- Community Organizing.
- Community & Youth Outreach (Including volunteering).
- Homeland Security.
- Gun Laws.
- Financial Crimes, Fraud & Predatory Lending.
- Auto Theft & Crime Prevention.
- Homicides & Cold Cases.
At the end of the session, students will participate in a graduation ceremony and sign up for volunteer positions and/or community organizing in the city. The class is aimed at senior retirees who are looking to enrich their careers and embark upon the next journey in their lives.
If you know an ideal candidate, please forward this information to them or print out the registration form (which can be found by clicking on to the link below).
Information and Registration
- Contacts: Yvonne Smith MPD Community Outreach: (202) 727-8890
- Courtney Williams, D.C. Office on Aging: (202) 727-8370
- Registration Form (link to PDF) on MPD Website
