Thompson-Werk

In light of Facebook’s redesign and apparent mission to better streamline and present content, it would be interesting to see if Facebook is having a positive impact on academia. With all the talk questioning the academic impact of online services such as Twitter, it is important to discuss Facebook in the same fashion. A few posts ago I assessed what I thought were some of Twitter’s strengths and weaknesses as a means of expanding academic discourse. Like Twitter, is there the possibility that Facebook has the potential to facilitate the spread of information amongst historians? Certainty, but what is really important is whether Facebook’s growing content and members can be active participants any valid history orientated debate.

Some highly respected history societies, such as the Society of Military History, have established their Facebook presence via fan and group pages. Can history benefit from conversations stemming out of these Facebook pages, or is Facebook still the bane of traditional human interaction? Are debates on Facebook any less valid than those occurring in a lecture hall? While Twitter feeds can be viewed by anyone, both Twitter members and unregistered visitors, to read any content on Facebook one must register. Additionally, to read and actively partake in Facebook group discussions further approval is required. Consequently, is Facebook too restrictive, and therefore unable, to allow a proper academic debate to occur? Contrary to the perceived restrictive nature of Facebook, the ability to regulate who can see certain pieces of information is a positive attribute. Since Facebook retains forum related features, the possibility of conversations being hijacked by interruptions remains. Limiting who can participate might very well allow conversations to flourish unhindered.

What of the academic relationships that are built and developed through the use of Facebook? Ultimately, the relationships fostered are perhaps Facebooks greatest asset. While the integraty of historical discussions is debatable, the ability to interact with other academics is valuable.