The driving force behind the success of Facebook is... vanity. People love the idea that others are watching what they're doing. Also, it makes people think that others actually care about the trivial bullshit that goes on in their lives. The next time you wonder why people have become so screwed up, sign on to Facebook. You’ll get your answer in the form of posts so stupid and meaningless, they’ll make your brain hurt. It is completely juvenile and is breeding a whole new generation of narcissistic people incapable of real communication. Micro-blogging has given rise to people that feel everything they do is worthy of ‘round-the-clock news coverage. This mentality is indicative of a person whose life is so mundane that they feel they have to over-compensate by announcing their every thought and action to the world in the hopes that at least one person on their friends list will finally speak up and tell them to just Shut Up! That one minor digital altercation will be the closest thing to excitement they will have had in months.  No one really needs to know every single detail of your day with your Facebook status update. Also, your one word status updates are very seldom witty. Telling us you’re tired, bored, sleepy, awake or excited is never going to set the world alight, and just looks like you’re trying to remind people you’re still alive. How about the one guy or girl that refuses to ever come out and clarify just what the hell their updates even mean, hiding their messages behind metaphor and perplexing language that can suggest almost anything. What does it mean? Who knows? But what we do know is that no less than 5 friends of this updater will ask the same type of question, “What’s wrong?” and “Is everything okay?” Clearly, people that post vague, cryptic status updates are just looking for attention. Give context or Shut Up! Facebook is not your personal diary. What Facebook is, is one giant time vortex--a black hole of chatter--and for many people it's hard to find an exit. One more thing…Let’s not forget that the internet is not exactly a safe place. You really shouldn't tell the world your exact whereabouts at all times or update your location from your phone…like we all care anyway! That's just asking for people to come and rob you while you aren't home. How about site security, or the lack of it! Recently, cyber crooks took advantage of Facebook users’ by gaining access to their accounts and then sending messages from the account holder to their friends saying that they have been robbed while abroad and need the friend to wire money to them to get them home. This “I’ve been robbed!” scam is another good example of social engineering that has cost many unwitting, warm-hearted friends hundreds to thousands of dollars. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely some advantages to sites such as Facebook, it’s just that the vast majority of users need to apply more personal responsibility while on the internet. Too many people jump into these communities or use the web without knowing how they work or what vulnerabilities they open themselves up to. Facebook is just the tool; individuals are responsible for how they use it.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…SMARTEN UP!!