I think that Facebook has proved so popular because when it became available, it was 'fresh' and new. I agree that it follows all of the same concepts as previous social networking websites, but at the time Myspace was becoming dated, in my view, and Bebo has never really appealed to the masses. Facebook became a cult craze, and word spread fast about it. Within 2 years, I think it will have lost some of its appeal, unless it finds a way to reinvent itself, in the same was tv has with digital.
I agree that many people represent themselves in a way they want others to view them, not neccessarily how they actually are. I know people who will untag themselves from pictures so they are not embarrassed or family members dont see them etc. But I sense that some people are more comfortable in this environment. For example, people will talk freely on Facebook, be keen to speak and share things, but in person are quiet and are completley different. This concept of 'other' identities and representations are prominent in all areas of media. In magazines, photos tend to be immaculate, in tv, presenters are always done up with make up etc. We live in a world where we are all too keen to see others embarrassed and shamed, as long as it isnt ourselves. Facebook is a prime example of this.
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I think its valuable that people behave this way. I mean if people shared everything with everyone on the internet, then where would you draw the line. There's nothing wrong preserving bits of yourself, stuff that you only want to share with a few people of no one.
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