Remembering life before Facebook

Ten years ago today, a Harvard student created a social networking website from his on campus dorm room. Little did he know, that ten years later, his “fun website” would be worth nearly US$20 million, would have over 1.2 billion users and would have changed communication of the modern world.

Today we look back at what life was like before Facebook, the good and the bad.

1. We sent beautiful handwritten letters

To keep our friends and family who were living afar up to date we sent beautiful letters, often pages long and including printed photographs. Now this is all done through Facebook. The great art of letter writing has been reduced to a sentence or two in a Facebook post instead of these lovely long artful sentences.

2. We had newspapers delivered and wrote letters to the editor

Before Facebook we relied on daily newspapers to keep us updated with the news. Today the newsfeed in Facebook gives us all the updates in real time. We also wrote letters to the editor to voice our opinions. Today all we need to do is write a comment on Facebook to share opinions with the world.

3. We used the telephone a lot

Before Facebook we used the landline telephone to call friends and family to hear all about their news. Often making multiple calls a night. We would chat for hours and have the phone passed around to various family members to share stories and updates.

4. We used puzzle books and written crosswords

Before Facebook and its games like Candy Crush or Farmville we used printed puzzle books and newspaper crosswords to keep us entertained.

5. We spent more time as a family

Before Facebook we sat down to dinner as a family and afterwards often sat together to watch television. Today with Facebook we are checking ipads or iphones while watching TV or are in rooms in front of a computer.

6. We posted beautiful invitations

Instead of using the event invitation tool on Facebook we used to plan and send beautiful invitations to our guests for birthdays and other special occasions.

7. We lost touch with old connections

It is true that before Facebook many old connections were lost a lot more easily. Today the social networking tool has enabled us to keep in contact with more people more often.

8. We didn’t announce to the world what we were having for dinner

Today on Facebook, we all share a lot more information. If you called a friend to tell them about the wonderful lasagna you just cooked they would think you were crazy. Today posts like this on Facebook are the norm and often get instant replies to share recipes or tips.

9. We didn’t have FOMO

Fear of missing out (FOMO) is term that has been brought about Facebook. Seeing the constant photos and updates from friends and family of their wonderful adventures and travels makes us feel like we are missing out. Before Facebook we were out living our own lives and didn’t have this worry.

10. We would never consider being so voyeuristic

It would be unheard of before Facebook to look so much the lives of others and share in what they are up to it. Today we know instantly and in real time what all of our connections are up to. Perhaps levels of gossip have increased too because you can instantly update your friends on what “so and so” is up to “because you saw it on Facebook”.

Overall Facebook has become a big part of our lives both good and bad. It is a wonderful tool which enables us to manage our relationships better, keep connections and quickly update a lot of people at once. But perhaps some simple pleasures have also been lost with it?

Share with us today, what are some of the things you used to do before Facebook?