As of January 1st, 2020, I will no longer be on Facebook. I will deleting my profile and page entirely.

I have loved what FB has brought me; connection to friends with whom I’d have no contact otherwise, the ability to crowdsource information, a way to reach out to a greater community to whom I may have something to offer, and networking resources vital to my livelihood.

But it has come at a price. The company has behaved time and again as if their great power comes with almost no responsibility. They’re not even up to the moral mandate held by Spiderman.

Here’s a short summation (from The Guardian) of their unethical BS, which has done tangible harm in huge, lasting ways. I have no confidence that FB will ever change in any meaningful way.

The only reason I’m giving myself a month between writing this and deleting FB is so I can reach out to those with whom I connect there to cement a path of conversation outside of it. Just a little packing and organizing before moving the hell out.

And look; I live on planet Earth. I am aware that I am giving up a decent amount to deny Facebook next to nothing. But I simply cannot any longer be a part of the harm FB does to this world and its many lovely inhabitants. I will remain on Instagram (which yes, I realize, is owned by FB, though at present follows rules the FB platform doesn’t) & Twitter (which has its own BS). I’m trying to walk an ethical tightrope here, as we all are (I hope). No hands are entirely clean, but some are dirtier than others.

Still-active social media links at bottom right. Thank you.

- Joe

#deletefacebook