So for the past week or so, I’ve been on and off trying to figure out what’s so great about Google+. I couldn’t think of anything other than it made me realize I need to update my Facebook profile. There are more things about it that bother me than make me want to use it: the biggest thing being that I don’t like that anyone can find you and see your e-mail address. Not to sound like a bitch, but if I haven’t given someone my e-mail address, then it’s probably because I don’t want them to have it. Neither my e-mail, cell phone number, or old AIM screen name appear on my Facebook profile at all, so only people I select to give them to will have those things. Maybe I’m old school or maybe I’m somewhat of a hypocrite but I don’t like that just anyone can see my e-mail address. At least on Facebook, I have the option of how much of the world can see what I’m up to. And if you’re thinking right now, “No one is private on Facebook, that’s not true. I know of at least two people who are on Facebook and completely unsearchable. I’m only friends with them because they sought me out to extend a friend request to me.
Other than the privacy thing, I really just don’t see the point in having a Google+ account. It really is the exact same thing as Facebook, only it’s visually not as attractive. There’s not really anything original or creative about it that sets it apart. Facebook overtook MySpace because it offered more. You can call a “Like” a “+1” but it’s still the same thing at the end of the day.
I don’t know, maybe I’m being too harsh on it. The boys at Media Junkyard seem to agree with me on their last podcast (I started writing this post yesterday then stopped because I was so exhausted, but felt like I needed to finish it after hearing their discussion about Google+ while listening to Episode 149 today). Maybe I’m just stuck in my “old” ways. I know Facebook has its evils – the advertising, loss of rights to your pictures, etc. – but if Google+ got big enough, who’s to say that it wouldn’t do the exact same thing?
Anyway, what are the thoughts out there on Google+? Let me know. Change my mind if you’re so inclined to!
