I moved to a new town recently. People don’t give out their phone numbers to connect. They give out their FB and Instagram accounts. Not having either is perceived as weird.
Facebook is something most people have and use to connect because most people don’t care about the privacy invasions or manipulative algorithms. It’s a fucked up world, not a fucked up town.
I already said I recently moved. I’ve moved 3 times in the past 10 years and it’s all the same. Maybe people used Snapchat or Instagram more often than Facebook when I was younger but it’s all the same privacy invasive shit.
The majority tolerate it, that’s why Meta is so successful as a company.
Same happen to me and I realized that where not my friends! The question someone asked me then, was how many of them would remember your birthday?
Phone numbers + messaging apps is good way to stay connected.
To me, I dont care if my friends remember my birthday. I care if they are genuine friends and I have good conversations and laughs around them.
Someone remembering your birthday is just them putting a reminder in the calendar. Doesnt mean much, not to me at least.
So you have an actual human connection to these people? Friends could have a laugh over forgetting someones birthday, because its built on a real connection that doesnt go away over missing the small things.
Because it’s where people are. I’ve gone 20 years without using FaceBook but I’ve definitely missed out on a lot. Whether you’re trackng down an old friend, selling something locally, trying to get information on a local business etc. there’s no better alternative. That’s why so many alternatives to big websites fail. They may be better in theory but if nobody migrates then there’s no point
Surprisingly, Craigslist is rather active in my area. It’s still not as active as marketplace, but it makes it possible to get by without having an FB account.
It’s just not really a thing here in Australia. I just checked and in my state (about 2 million people) there’s a dozen ads or so across all categories.
A distant second to facebook marketplace is gumtree. I just had a look to see how popular that is and their site just seems to be down. Shits fucked really.
I use Gumtree instead of marketplace pretty regularly and I’ve not had an issue. In fact, I’ve found the quality of the interactions to be much higher, far fewer time wasters.
I think gumtree is better for different types of items.
My sister is a dog breeder and lists exclusively on gumtree to avoid the idiots on facebook.
The vast majority of stuff bought and sold from our household is low value toddler gear. fb marketplace is awash with that stuff and when you list something for the right price it’s gone by the end of the day. It’s true that there’s some time wasters but you get better at kinda managing the great unwashed.
My partner doesn’t care about the privacy issues and will never delete her fb account so maybe for the time being I can just use her account.
In 12 months or so we will be well past the worst of the “toddler gear” and I’ll be happy to leave fb behind for good.
Marketplace has killed most other local trading stuff sites. Craigslist is still limping along, but has far less available at higher prices than FBMP. I’m happy to hear of viable alternatives, especially for used vehicles, tools and equipment. I’ve saved a lot of money on my business and hobbies that way, but would leave in a heartbeat if there’s a real competitor.
Aside from the already-mentioned marketplace, social networks like FB are fit well for localized giveaways. Where I am, the local analog of FB has groups where bakeries and cafes give out food remaining at the end of the day.
One population that this particularly pertains to are homeless people. Some folks get surprised when a homeless person has a smartphone, but it’s a means for finding help and resources.
I mean a platform that’s used in my country. It’s still centralized, and the practices are not much better, probably only because they haven’t yet gotten around to all the same shady shit.
Eh at least they presumably pay attention, moderate it, and tailor it to your country.
One of my issues with FB is that it mind as well be run from Alpha Centauri. There’s nothing “human” or local about, its a gaping maw mixed with tons of other predatory service.
Why use Facebook at all.
I deleted my facebook account in 2022 and have essentially not been contacted by friends since, so there’s that
:(
Have you tried to contact them outside of FB?
Perhaps you’re just not friends.
I moved to a new town recently. People don’t give out their phone numbers to connect. They give out their FB and Instagram accounts. Not having either is perceived as weird.
Hope this helps.
You’re in a fucked up town., and that attachment to the platform is more fucked up.
Unfortunately that’s like most people outside.
Facebook is something most people have and use to connect because most people don’t care about the privacy invasions or manipulative algorithms. It’s a fucked up world, not a fucked up town.
That doesn’t help. Also when’s the last time you moved your life?
I already said I recently moved. I’ve moved 3 times in the past 10 years and it’s all the same. Maybe people used Snapchat or Instagram more often than Facebook when I was younger but it’s all the same privacy invasive shit.
The majority tolerate it, that’s why Meta is so successful as a company.
Hope this helps.
Same happen to me and I realized that where not my friends! The question someone asked me then, was how many of them would remember your birthday?
Phone numbers + messaging apps is good way to stay connected.
To me, I dont care if my friends remember my birthday. I care if they are genuine friends and I have good conversations and laughs around them.
Someone remembering your birthday is just them putting a reminder in the calendar. Doesnt mean much, not to me at least.
So you have an actual human connection to these people? Friends could have a laugh over forgetting someones birthday, because its built on a real connection that doesnt go away over missing the small things.
Because it’s where people are. I’ve gone 20 years without using FaceBook but I’ve definitely missed out on a lot. Whether you’re trackng down an old friend, selling something locally, trying to get information on a local business etc. there’s no better alternative. That’s why so many alternatives to big websites fail. They may be better in theory but if nobody migrates then there’s no point
Marketplace can be good for local deals and I can’t fault anyone for taking advantage of that
Yeah I use it extensively for this.
If it asked me to verify and I couldn’t use someone else’s face it would be a tough decision.
how are you guys curving their invasive dark patterns? They are dead set on forcing you into their bullshit to use marketplace.
No idea. Never been asked for any verification.
You will if they don’t face any competition. I haven’t either yet, but everyone will, because they are maximizing revenue.
Surprisingly, Craigslist is rather active in my area. It’s still not as active as marketplace, but it makes it possible to get by without having an FB account.
It’s just not really a thing here in Australia. I just checked and in my state (about 2 million people) there’s a dozen ads or so across all categories.
A distant second to facebook marketplace is gumtree. I just had a look to see how popular that is and their site just seems to be down. Shits fucked really.
I use Gumtree instead of marketplace pretty regularly and I’ve not had an issue. In fact, I’ve found the quality of the interactions to be much higher, far fewer time wasters.
Yeah.
I think gumtree is better for different types of items.
My sister is a dog breeder and lists exclusively on gumtree to avoid the idiots on facebook.
The vast majority of stuff bought and sold from our household is low value toddler gear. fb marketplace is awash with that stuff and when you list something for the right price it’s gone by the end of the day. It’s true that there’s some time wasters but you get better at kinda managing the great unwashed.
My partner doesn’t care about the privacy issues and will never delete her fb account so maybe for the time being I can just use her account.
In 12 months or so we will be well past the worst of the “toddler gear” and I’ll be happy to leave fb behind for good.
Remember that folks are using ‘Garry’s Mod’ to circumvent UK’s facial recognition requirement.
Through no fault of my own, the people I talk to (family) are tied to the FB ecosystem…and they are very resilient as to leaving it.
2026 will have to be the year of “please, for the love of all that is holy, can we switch to Signal”
Marketplace has killed most other local trading stuff sites. Craigslist is still limping along, but has far less available at higher prices than FBMP. I’m happy to hear of viable alternatives, especially for used vehicles, tools and equipment. I’ve saved a lot of money on my business and hobbies that way, but would leave in a heartbeat if there’s a real competitor.
Aside from the already-mentioned marketplace, social networks like FB are fit well for localized giveaways. Where I am, the local analog of FB has groups where bakeries and cafes give out food remaining at the end of the day.
One population that this particularly pertains to are homeless people. Some folks get surprised when a homeless person has a smartphone, but it’s a means for finding help and resources.
That sounds lovely!
I mean a platform that’s used in my country. It’s still centralized, and the practices are not much better, probably only because they haven’t yet gotten around to all the same shady shit.
Eh at least they presumably pay attention, moderate it, and tailor it to your country.
One of my issues with FB is that it mind as well be run from Alpha Centauri. There’s nothing “human” or local about, its a gaping maw mixed with tons of other predatory service.
My elderly father knows how to use it and posts nature photos all the time.