WHY I AM LEAVING FACEBOOK

WHY I Am leaving Facebook

Facebook intends to reach the US$ 75 billion dollar value by opening its capital (IPO) from May or June onward.

Contrary to what many think, Mark Zuckerberg is not alone in this endeavor. This is a reminder for the 850 million users of the network, in five continents, as the media affirms.

To be fair, the success of Facebook must also be shared by the efforts and due to the genius of a Brazilian called Eduardo Saverin, who currently holds a modest 2% of the profits resulting from the creation by both back in 2004.

It is well to remember that a fair part or 14% of the company --since Zuckerberg holds 28,2%-- might be invested in Brazilian projects generating thousands of jobs or maybe promoting development not only for technology but for several other segments of the country’s economy.

Eduardo Saverin, from São Paulo, was a student at Harvard and as a room mate and friend of Mark Zuckerberg, he was the one who raised the first thousand dollars that allowed the idea to become a reality and started the business.

As soon as the site participation started to grow exponentially and the sky became the limit for profits, Zuckerberg’s greediness became evident when he devised a way to take Saverin out of his way and take all the credit for a creative project that was not conceived by himself alone: he filed a law suit. Fact: from inseparable friends they became rivals.

No room for illusions: as always and in the world scene, Americans, famous for being the largest creators and exporters of heroes, want to play the main role in everything. For them, either a Brazilian or any other citizen from any part of the world will always play second fiddle.

It no secret that generally, for Americans, interests, specially related to money, are above friendships, even the most “sincere”. They may own the money but they do not hold any property rights over truth.

Well, since I vehemently do not agree with the attitude of Mr. Mark Zuckerberg, my protest will be to sign off from Facebook. I’ll be one less citizen to participate in the network just to feed the bank account of the owner. And my right to protest is a legitimate attitude, a healthy way to express my opinion.

Undoubtedly, as our compatriot was betrayed, unjustly treated and even ignored by loads of short memories all around, with exception of myself, I still bear in my mind the embarrassing episode. As a sign of solidarity for the Brazilian, who I admire without even knowing him personally, I quit from my account in Facebook . Another fact: up to now it was only a way to waste my time talking and talking. And time is money.

Taking all of this into consideration, whoever participates in Facebook but still has a sense of reminding someone to do his best; is a patriot and proud of being Brazilian; and holds enough self-esteem  with dignity, should do the same. Protest as I am doing.

Then, maybe seeing his empire in jeopardy, the all powerful Mark Zuckerberg may reconsider his attitude and learn to value reliability, instead of placing disloyalty ahead of loyalty. In this case one must understand that it is better to divide, if you want to add.

In fact, treachery teaches us a great lesson: the powerful ones become fragile. And the reason is simple: in all cases consciousness is our own judge. With more or less rigor and at the short, medium and long terms, it punishes and forgives our faults. However—as happens in transcendental law—consciousness also award prizes whenever goodness is practiced. The taller the person, the harder the fall.

In the beginning, to participate in the site seemed as an immediate way of aggregating status, a free of charge way of inflate the ego and highlight narcissism. As time passed, I realized it was not so hot. On the contrary, every time spent at Facebook represented pure waste of time with fruitless conversations. A wave of unproductive ideas based on the never ending acquaintances with new ‘friends’ where I wasted time and was never benefited.

Translating, it is a boring, cold, mechanical media to build relationships with people I don’t know and in this way will be unable to exchange human affection. When I think of it seems like an activity mostly suited for somebody who has nothing else to do. It certainly did not contribute to my social life.

It is exactly due to this futility, because of the idiots such as me and you, that the smart alecks such as Mark Zuckeberg continues earning billions of dollars, it is that simple. As of today, fortunately, I will not be contributing. You know why? Because I woke up on time.

Roberto Vassallo  Journalist

Niterói – Guanabara Bay

Rio de Janeiro - Brazil