[throwanem]

Neither do I, but as I've described at tedious length here a couple of times recently, I do miss the social life I had a few years back, and which opting not to sign up for Facebook cost me.

It would be really great if the choice not to use Facebook did not often entail serious negative consequences. For one thing, I'd be a lot less annoying on the subject. Unfortunately, that happy state of affairs does not appear to obtain in either case.

[DavideNL]

> I do miss the social life I had a few years back, and which opting not to sign up for Facebook cost me

You don't know if it was "opting not to use Facebook" that lead to decline in your social life, because you didn't test whether "being on Facebook" would not have lead to decline in your social life.

(I've seen many articles that state exactly the opposite - that people who have less social interactions spent more time on Facebook.)

[throwanem]

Actually, I do know. Rather than rehearse again the means by which I know, let me refer you to the two most recent times I've done so:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12009198

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12362818

(Maybe it's necessary to point out that I'm aware of the possibility that all the apologies I ever received on this subject were lies. I'm aware of the possibility that all the apologies I ever received on this subject were lies. Given that no evidence exists to support that conclusion, parsimony would require it be disregarded even were I otherwise inclined to imagine that all my friends actually hated me and didn't want me around, and were willing and able to deceive me by presenting the impression of sincere regret for having forgotten to include me.)

I'm still working on a better metaphor than that of an abusive relationship; while that one speaks strongly to me, my experience suggests it does not do so to others, which renders it useless for my purposes. Any suggestions you might have to offer on a more effective replacement would be welcome.

[uiri]

One metaphor that comes to mind is that of an employer asking for the same data (personal email credentials). I'm sure some people may (to their detriment) comply with such a request while others would not. Some may be so offended that they would quit immediately or start looking for a job elsewhere.

[throwanem]

I like that, especially given the perennial habit of some employers to mine Facebook for reasons to mistreat employees, and also to ask for prospective employees' Facebook account credentials. And there seems no reason to expect the same weirdness that comes from likening a web application to an abusive partner.

"I mean, imagine you're interviewing for a job, and the hiring manager asks you for the password to your Facebook or your email. Yeah, maybe you can say 'sorry I don't give that out' and still get the job - but at that point, do you want to? And what the hell is even going on that that's a question you get asked?"

Yeah, I think maybe you've given me my new metaphor. Certainly I look forward to trying it out. Thank you very kindly!

[thaumasiotes]

One of the requirements for getting hired by eBay was to disclose my eBay account(s), if any. Ordinarily that would be pretty intrusive, but I decided it was reasonable for them. ;)

[sverige]

I think the abusive relationship metaphor is perfect.

[throwanem]

So do I, but it seems to weird people out pretty strongly when I use it. That could be to do with me rather than with it, but it's rare in my experience that I'm unable to bring people with me to at least some extent, so I've been going on the surmise that it's more a problem with what I'm saying than with the way in which I say it. I could be wrong about that, though, and how would I really be able to tell?