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Facebook - opportunity or time-waster?

On 25 August 2007, we asked LabourStart correspondents to answer these questions:

Do you think Facebook is a powerful new tool that can be used by trade unions to organize, mobilize and educate? Or is it just a waste of time?

Fifty (50) correspondents responded. 18 thought Facebook to be a powerful new tool and 5 considered it a waste of time. Fifteen said it was both, and 12 said it was neither.

31 correspondents submitted their comments, which make interesting reading:

Time-sink is actually the way I'd put it.

This question really needs a box that says 'I don't know'. Because I don't.
I think it is likely to depend on two things the individual union's member demographics and the union's communications strategy.

its potential as a 'recruiting' tool remains to be seen

In a few months, there will be another site doing even more powerful things and
this one will be forgotten. There is also a security risk as these sites are easily
targeted by hackers.

Only good for the tech savvy. I do not think they would have much relevance to say construction workers or transport workers. But the more white collar unions definately a powerful tool.

it is a way of gathering people of like minds to a cause - make them feel the togetherness - and notifying them relatively quickly of actions

I think that Facebook, like other resources of Web 2.0, is a powerful new tool only
if the group involved in it is capable of attract many other users.

Although owned my Murdoch, myspace has been used for the Student Farm Worker Alliance.

I should say, "waste of time -- so far." If it turns out that LS gets new readers
from the global trade union movement, that's great. But, so far, I spend 15 minutes a day adding friends, cleaning up my home page and checking the status of groups. It's great to hear from LS correspondents this way, but email has served the same purpose. However, now, instead of just checking my email, I have to check Facebook stuff as well and also deal with friends requests that I receive through email. As far as communication goes, it seems redundant. Also, based on what I see going on on Facebook, it appears to be more of a social outlet for the 18-24 yr-old crowd. I'm going to be surprised (happily, though) if this catches on in the trade union world.

Seems a bit more private than e-mail.... but use and appropriateness still depends on user motivation

I guess it depends how it is used. A dedicated bulletin board type of application
like Facebook would be useful I think. For private conversations etc.

I am not sure as to its value yet. It could be good due to its ability to inform
people of changes but maybe not...who knows.

I tried 10 times to get activated on Facebook and it was a horror. Once on the site I had no idea where to find LabourStart. I had no idea how to use the site (and I am fairly computer literate). I gave in midway between the 11th attempt.

I believe that MYSPACE is a far greater tool (though I am not terribly keen on their
new ownership). The MYSPACE page has brought me in touch with more than 400 active union members in a very short period of time (approximately 90 days).

I think there is a need for social networking sites, but I am personally not crazy about Facebook. -Richard / UR

I have not yet used Facebook, so I have no opinion yet.

Facebook is very big with younger people. I'm in my 50s, and I've never looked
at it. People in their teens and 20s use it a lot.

I'm a little old for networking sites, but I've watched my children engaged on them for hours, using them as their main means of communication. Unions need to keep up with these developments if we want younger workers to join and stay involved

I have just started paying attention to it. It seems to have a lot of potential.
There remain some unanswered questions: security issues is one aspect. My general view is to pay attention to it and see how it might be develop. I am assisting a group of shop stewards in the Geelong area (near Melbourne in Victoria) to build a campaign that puts full pressure on Ford and the various levels of government to re-industrialise against massive job losses associated with the closure of the engine plant. WE are considering Facebook as one aspect of our campaign, but have a lot to learn.

it is an opportunity to network and disseminate info but you can if one is not careful become a waste of time

Good Luck, also in name of editorial board of webzine Solidariteit, Amsterdam. In
solidarity. Hans Boot.

I don't understand the purpuse of it.

Networking capcities extraordinary,matched only by ability to distract

Personally, I signed up to add to the numbers but I don't have the time to have
yet another medium for communications. I have too many already. However, if we have the numbers signing up that we clearly do have then this is probably an avenue we cannot ignore. When you look at how many have signed up on Facelift (or whatever it is called) compared with the Forums we have just set up then there might be a message in there. - Dave

It seems to be primarily a forum for socialising and networking among friends.
Also, of course, a venue for sexual predators. There are lots of networks being
built around campaign or political focusses, but it remains to be seen whether
they'll actually take off.

1. Does not really understand how it can help
2. In Russia many such web forums are set up by KGB. For example schoolmates sites. It gives secret service an easy access to the information on your background, education, professional work, interests and close circle of your friends and colleagues (even with photos).

I'd like to refer to the slogan of riseup.net, a leftist internet provider: Get
off the internet, I'll see you in the streets!

I think it can be a powerful tool, but only if significant time is invested. One
can't simply set up a page and hope that it does the work itself, because it won't.

I've not written many survey questions, but how one asks quesitons skews answers. Facebook can be useful, but it seems to me to be cumbersome, hard to figure out , and it's not at all clear that trade unions will either be able to or willing to devote the resources to "organize, mobilize and educate" using Facebook without a lot of hand-holding. It's also dependent on how many members or potential members , supporters or potential supporters, either use Facebook - or "social networking " systems such as these - or the web, or the 'net, at all.

No

It collects alot of information that is sold to third party consumer profiling companies (similar to google). We should be helping the open source community develop a safe open protocol social networking service.

It appeals to a completely different demographic to the stereotypical trade union
member. No tool should be overlooked in trade union campaigns.

See http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/finance/story/0,,2159178,00.html




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