[googlereject]

The simple solution to anyone concerned about this is to just stop using Facebook. I've done so and it turned out to be a great decision. Contrary to the belief that you'll be "left out," people can and do get in touch with you for the important things. SMS, email, phone, snapchat, etc all work really well today, and you can get your social news fix from reddit, HN, and elsewhere if you need it. I've gotten measurably happier and more productive once I stopped using FB completely and haven't lost touch with any of my friends.

[codyb]

I went through the relatively laborious process of unfollowing every individual and group and now just use it to learn details of events, for other apps which require an account, and to prevent anyone from impersonating me by creating an account in my name (Although I'm not particularly worried about that one.).

I also deleted pretty much all personal details and locked down privacy and removed all posts, images, and tags.

You're absolutely right, it's a pleasure not to deal with that terrible newsfeed filled with so much misinformation and bad memes. I go on twitter a bit more but there you can curate a sweet list of incredible people in any field to follow.

[jamesniro]

I couldn't agree with you more. I did the same a year ago and couldn't be happier. To be honest it made me really close with friends that really matters in my life.

[Zelphyr]

Same here. I deleted my account four years ago and haven't missed it one bit. I think people would be surprised at how much they don't need Facebook.

That said, I also don't want to be using it in my workplace and will vehemently resist any attempts at using it in my company.

[gvurrdon]

Having never used Facebook I find that I don't need it for most things. But, there are some activities in which I'm involved where almost all discussion and event organisation takes place on Facebook. My participation has thus decreased significantly over the past decade. The organiser of one such event (to which I've been going for years) mentioned to me recently that of the approx. 20 people giving presentations there I was the only one not on Facebook, requiring him to email me separately. Many people wouldn't make that effort any more.

[pmlnr]

And how exactly one does this when you have to use fb@work at your workplace?

[justanton]

I absolutely agree with you on what you said. But how do you deal with the problem, when you have to, say, create an event and make people aware of it? Are there any alternatives to FB?

[eatbitseveryday]

> create an event and make people aware of it?

Send an email and CC everyone you want to invite?

[justanton]

that could work, if you already know all the people you want to invite. but if you want to make people outside your circle aware of your event? like a hackathon or a party. This is the only thing that keeps me on FB, and it's very frustrating

[pikachu_is_cool]

Or you can just use a subset of it, where privacy is of no concern. Those craigslist-esque groups that have been popping up are immensely useful. Especially with the built-in messenger.

[boggydepot]

yep, friends what we need - epicurus