Why FaceBook is Losing its “Coolness”

-image from sodahead

A while back, an article posted in the New York Post stated that earlier in the summer, FaceBook started to show signs that it’s popularity may be dropping in the U.S. It actually lost about six million users in the month of May.

Like I said, this information was released a few months back, but a recent local story from Channel 4 has helped shine a little light as to why I’m convinced FaceBook just isn’t as cool as it once was.

Apparently, local State Representative Veronica Gonzales, from McAllen (TX) had her FaceBook account hacked, and someone sent out annoying messages under her name.

I have nothing against the State Rep. I’m sure she’s a very good person, but the fact that state officials are using social networking just seems like something FaceBook should try to put an end to if it wants to stay popular.

I’m well aware of the argument that social networking is a very effective communications tool, and a great way to get real time feedback, and have our “voices heard”, but I don’t think these facts are enough to surpass one of the oldest universal truths in human history; everything stops being cool once your parents start doing it.

We see this happen all the time in the entertainment world, an Indy-Music Band, for example, may develop a small loyal following, but as soon as that small following becomes a massive crowd, and especially when they become accepted by “grown-ups” and, adored by corporations; everything changes. The fans won’t stop loving music, but they do start looking for another band.

Another undeniable truth that FaceBook can’t deny is that all good things do eventually come to an end, and as humans we get bored easily, and eventually feel the need to upgrade. Exactly how much life FB has left is not easy to tell, but its end will inevitably come.

I am completely convinced the online-social-networking cat is out of the bag, and it is here to stay, but I doubt FaceBook will forever serve as our main provider. New sites will inevitably take it’s place in our lives. I just hope whatever comes up next won’t let anyone answer questions about us without letting us see the answers, or constantly informs of our friends recent additions to their virtual farms.