[scott_s]

There are many things that one does not have to use, but are big parts of our culture. I think that social networking is becoming such a thing. As such, I think the "you don't have to use it" argument rings false. It means either using it in a way that you are not comfortable with, or not using it and being left out.

[philwelch]

I think if the internet has done anything for our society, it's taught us that we don't all have to live in a huge monoculture where everyone watches the same three TV networks.

[scott_s]

And if it works for television, it works for social networks? I find that unconvincing. There probably will be niche social networks, but I suspect most people will belong to at least one of the big ones.

[philwelch]

Well, I know a fair number of people who don't use Facebook, for whatever that's worth.

[armandososa]

But that is an use, not an abuse of power.

[scott_s]

And that's a semantic distinction that I don't think is important.