Calvin Berman's thoughts on Facebook after seeing "The Social Network"

Like many other great films, David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin's "The Social Network" left me feeling conflicted. Was the creation of Facebook, the movie's central focus, something to be treasured or scorned?

According to its fan page, Facebook was built to "help people stay connected." Staying connected has proven to be a hot commodity; in just under six-and-a-half years, over 500 million users have signed up for the free service.

I would agree that Facebook is an irreplaceable tool in helping me keep in touch with geographically distant, but affectionately close, friends and family. The social networking site enables me to interact with people I went to camp with and haven't seen for four or five years. I can also browse pictures of my little brother, who looks like he's taller than me now. Great.

For my generation, a written letter oozes formality. A call may be too forward. A text can come across as awkward and random. With people I haven't spoken too in a while, or those who I don't know as well, a Facebook wall-post or instant message is unassuming and well-received.

Facebook has proven a useful tool in helping people promote causes that they deem valuable. I have hosted seven successful political campaigns (shhhh, nobody needs to know that these campaigns were for high school student government positions) on Facebook "Group" Web pages, and I doubt I would have won those elections if Facebook hadn't made it easy for me to promote myself and encourage others to vote. I have also helped promote various charities, like Falling Whistles, a fledgling charity aimed at stopping the forced participation of Congolese children in war.

For all of the good that this social networking site provides, there are major qualms I have about its impact on me.

Too often, I will spend hours surfing the Facebook pages of my friends to the detriment of my responsibilities or, what's scarier, my desires. I can understand the appeal of interacting with friends on Facebook over writing a paper. The scary part is that I've found myself in front of a Facebook-illuminated screen instead of doing more enjoyable and socially rewarding things, like exercising or getting ready for a party.

Another serious concern I have with Facebook is that it gives users the courage and ability to act differently from how they portray themselves in non-virtual reality (anyone seen "Catfish?").

For example, I once had a classmate who I became friends with after seeing him almost every day in class. However, when the 2008 Gaza War broke out, he posted a Facebook status likening Israel's actions to those of the Nazi's. This infuriated me, not only because he never hinted at feeling this way despite my obvious support for Israel, but because he was too much of a coward to address me in person.

It's interesting to note that nothing any of us think or say about Facebook really matters. As my old pal Machiavelli once said, "It is not without good reason that the voice of the people is compared to the voice of God." OVER 500 MILLION people have spoken; Facebook is here to stay.

Nevertheless, I'm curious to learn what other people think. Let me know!