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Facebook is the ultimate social network and there's no doubting it. There are 59 million users to date, and it adds two million to its ranks weekly. Its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has been featured on 60 Minutes and is said to be worth $3 billion for founding it.

While there's no questioning its success, there's also no real point to denying that it's just a procrastination tool. Even when we're sitting at home online, we get to pretend we're not. Just check the millions of status reports uploaded by people who are "hanging out with friends" and "spending time with family".

For these and other reasons, there's recent evidence suggesting its downfall and lots of conversation has been going on about it. Some say they are leaving because of the proliferation of applications and advertising. Some have realized that it actually separates rather than connects friends because they are quite simply on it all the time. (The addictive nature of the site is mostly due to the controversial introduction of the News Feed in September 2006.)

Still others have more deeply rooted concerns, like the recent accusations involving political agenda and privacy invasion.

And let's also not forget the millions who chose not to join in the first place. The Wall Street Journal talked to some of them and the consensus is that they're already in touch with friends and don't see the need to talk with those they've de-friended in real life.

Everything has its rise and fall, and the recent activity shows the online world is not exempt from this well-known human truth. But what will happen if a mass Facebook exodus ensues? Will those who delete their account in favor of analog life turn out to be the real socialites?

Or maybe they are on the lookout for a brand-free, non-addictive way to keep in touch with multiple people. After all, the one thing that won't get old is the internet and the desire to connect with others through it. This is perhaps most clearly evidenced by the many who ironically feel the need to announce their departure, somehow and somewhere.

They may no longer be hooked on the News Feed, but they're not exactly ready to give up on the concept altogether. 

Posted by katie facada