I broke down and joined Facebook. I wanted to know what all the fuss is about.

 

Within a few hours:

 

• I had a whole bunch of friends, which made me feel good.
• My two children had a new outlet by which to mock me. “This is going to be epic,” my 16-year-old daughter snarked.
• My wife jumped on me – virtually, that is – for not listing my status as married. Apparently she fears some Facebook Babe will stalk me. I take it as a compliment.

I quickly discovered that this is an easy way to waste hours of your time. Talking to friends, talking about yourself, engaging in witty repartee. Exactly what I spend all day doing anyway.

 

I joined because it’s clear too many people in politics today don’t get what is happening in communications today.

 

Ryan Teague Beckwith pegged it in the N&O this week with his story about the Facebook groups that have sprung up on bills before the legislature – groups the legislators didn’t know existed.

 

This is about power, folks.

 

Example: Supporters of a ban on smoking in restaurants are struggling to get the handful of votes they need. Have they organized on-line the thousands of North Carolinians who support this bill and would flood the legislature with calls and emails?

 

A lot of what happens in Raleigh happens without anybody outside Raleigh knowing – or getting involved.

 

Facebook is one tool to change that.

 

So will you be my Facebook Friend?