I called my parents while they were watching The Social Network. Neither of them is on Facebook (thank God) and they don't really get it.
My dad is back to his normal self after some major surgery. Aaaaaand here we go.
Dad: I know this movie is supposed to be very very well done, but I can't understand a word anyone says. They all talk way too fast and it's much too technical during the second part of the film.
Me: You're not liking it, then?
Dad: It shows that Mark Zuckerberg is a real doofus. Although he's SO hyperkinetic!!! So hyper! But what a doofus!
[note: my dad is talking super-duper energetically fast]
Me: It might help you appreciate the movie more if you used Facebook...
Dad: What's the point?
Me: Well, you are networked with anyone you want to be connected with, and you share info and photos and have conversations... [at this point I'm questioning whether I find a point in Facebook now. I used to. I'm not sure whether I would miss it or not. Eh, I probably would miss it.]
Dad: But you can talk to all those people in other ways, why do you need to be on a network?
Me: [I don't feel like answering this question] It's fascinating though, the story and the growth of Facebook, don't you think?
Dad: I guess so. How do they make all their money?
Me: Selling your data.
Dad: What data?
Me: The information you enter about yourself.
Dad: Like what?
Me: Your birthday, your friends, interests, music you like, places you go, causes...
Dad: Why would you enter that information? For everyone to see it?
Me: So you can connect with people with similarities and see what your friends like, and then advertisers target you...
Dad: You put your birthday in? What about privacy violations? It knows your birthday?
Me: Well, yes...
Dad: And you're OK with this?!
Me: Most of the time. I'm still a little guarded, I don't publish my exact address or my phone number.
Dad: Oh my God, you're going to end up dead! Because of Facebook!
Me: Facebook is not going to kill me.
Dad: You could be dead! I predict Facebook will become irrelevant and go away. So, is Twitter like Facebook on steroids or is it different?
Me: It's different...
Dad: Do you Twitter?
Me: Yes. I love it.
Dad: Someday you'll have to explain that one to me.
[I sort of dread that conversation]
Me: Maybe they'll make a movie about Twitter.
Dad: THEY SHOULD!!
Ok bye.
Mostly they make their money through advertising.
Posted by: Peeved Michelle | 21 January 2011 at 04:52 PM
Glad he is back to his usual spirits!!!
Now I have to see the movie to see if I can follow along.
Posted by: Kristin | 21 January 2011 at 05:40 PM
I explained the advertising process to him when I used to place ads on FB and tried to tell him how finely you could target and he was freaked out.
Posted by: blaugra | 21 January 2011 at 05:53 PM
Though I'm only 38 years old, I sorta have your dad's take on Facebook.
I haven't see it yet but it's written by Aaron Sorkin, you can bank on some fast-paced super-clever dialogue. That's why I loved West Wing so. Even if I only caught half of what they were saying!
Posted by: lg | 22 January 2011 at 08:41 AM
Age has nothing to do with it...my husband is not inclined to join any social networks, he dislikes Facebook. Twitter sends him running for the hills.
But both my parents and husband will ask me about a friend or relative and "what are they saying on Facebook?" They just want the news delivered in-person.
Posted by: blaugra | 22 January 2011 at 10:35 AM
You girls are soo awesome! i LOVE? watching your shows!
LizlikesHPalot
Posted by: phymoupdoff | 28 January 2011 at 01:40 AM