FaceBook = Bad; MySpace = Good (except when they don't)

Liz Funk just wrote the most ridiculous (in a bad way) "serious" piece about social networking that I've yet read. In the same column, she manages to say that MySpace is both the sketchier and more serious activisty site, while FaceBook is the more serious site and also where you go to post those scandalous party pics and stalk your friends. Basically, they're both bad, except when they're good, which is only in opposition to the other. (Got it?)

Funks main premise - that FaceBook activism does not equal "real" activism is only partially on the mark. I agree that joining a cause isn't really an effective form of political action, but for a lot of folks it's probably a first form of political action - a baby step into the political arena. That shouldn't be downplayed.

Funk also conveniently ignores a few facts:

1. FaceBook organizing has accomplished a hell of a lot for Barack Obama. (as just one example).
2. Causes - a fundraising App - is still in its first generation and is barely a month old

Has Funk ever heard of Students for Barack Obama? Because they got a whole lot of press this winter for self organizing campaign events attended by thousands of students. And when I last checked, FaceBook "Causes" had raised tens of thousands of dollars for Darfur and Global Warming advocacy. Not a whole lot, especially given the amount of disposable income available to students, but is Funk seriously going to throw the baby out with the bathwater because FaceBook Causes hasn't proven to be a panacea for the problem of youth philanthropy? Let's at least give it a chance before we lay down our full judgment. These things will improve with time. I agree that there is a lot of hype - some deserved, some not - but Funk's condemnation is equally ridiculous.