Twitter & Facebook Are Shutting Down!

Posted by Scott Williams
24 Comments
June 2, 2010
Facebook | Social Media | Twitter

twitter and facebookImagine if you received an email from The Facebook Team or The Ultimate Fail Whale himself, stating “Twitter and Facebook Are Shutting Down!”  Seriously, just take a few moments to imagine the implications on you, the businesses you patronize, your friends, the non profits you support, your church…  Imagine the implications!

If Twitter and Facebook were to shut down tomorrow, the affects would definitely affect more the more than 600 million combined users.  Life as we know would change and change in big way.

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how life was before a few years ago and when we do allow our minds to take a ride on the history train, it generally starts with a phrase like, “Remember, back in the day when…”   Some of my favorite, Remember back in the day when’s are: “Remember back in the day when your kids could run around in the neighborhood and you didn’t have to worry about XYZ or Remember back in the day when everyone knew their neighbors and actually talked to their friends on the phone instead of Social Media and texting.”

This Video proved that Social Media is not a fad.  If Twitter and Facebook were to shut down permanently, I can see the world standing around sharing their versions of Remember back in the bay when’s:

  • When we were able to check up on our friends and family in a matter of minutes.
  • When we could instantly connect with leaders, experts and people we admire from around the globe.
  • When we had instant access to information; not only from Google, but real people, real time.
  • When we could take a 3D look into the lives of our pastors, leaders and those we don’t know.
  • When the world felt smaller, because we were so connected.
  • When (fill-in the blank with your choice phrase)

The bottom line is this, not only are Twitter and Facebook Not A Fad, they have become the fabric of our lives.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re a social media enthusiast, a casual observer or a non-user.  Twitter and Facebook affect the way we think, the way that we do business and the way we live our lives.

If you don’t believe me… Imagine receiving an e-mail stating that “Twitter & Facebook Are Shutting Down!”

What do you think?  How would the world and your life be different?

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  • http://cyndiakadisneyqueen.blogspot.com/ DisneyCyndi

    Ok, you freaked me out for a minute there. I thought you were shutting down your facebook and twitter! Whew! Now I can breathe again. lol

    In all seriousness though, that would be very hard for me for many of the reasons you just listed. Not being able to keep in touch with family and friends instantly, or to updated news as it happens, or to great leaders I would never have connected with otherwise would leave a big gap in my daily life. Some would say that was sad, but for me its made a big difference in how I think, feel and communicate.

  • http://www.jasoncurlee.com Jason Curlee

    dang…if twitter and facebook shut down…we’d have to read more horrible bloggers ;) not you of course

  • http://www.servingstrong.typepad.com Scott Couchenour

    I love Twitter. I love Facebook. And I have often thought about their removal from our lives. That’s why I want to focus on 2 areas intently: First, make as much of a splash as I can via social media about living burnout free. Second, maintain a healthy web of dynamic relationships with the people around me.

    We need both.

    Thanks for the post. A very thought-provoking one, for sure.

  • http://thecollectivebrains.com sputnik

    I would use google buzz :-)

    Any alternative has the problem that it doesn’t have the big database of users like FB. and getting non-tech people used to a new service is hard.

  • http://www.60secondscience.net brendano

    If they shut down, others would spring up immediately to fill the void.

    In fact, if a ‘facebook-type’ social site opened today which had it’s full privacy settings turned UP TO THE MAX BY DEFAULT, then it would garner instant support.

    People don’t want their mums or future employers seeing what they are up to.

    But then, how can you monetize such a service, if the only thing you have (users data) is locked away?

    Someone clever will figure out a way.

  • unclebuck

    why doesn’t everyone just sign up to a message board site? don’t message boards do essentially the same thing? what’s the diff?
    i don’t use facebook and losing twitter wouldn’t phase me a bit. i do have some serious message board buddies that i would miss tho.

    • http://pushingfifty.wordpress.com @PushingFifty

      Unclebuck, that’s a big part of the change…I USED to belong to a couple of message boards that are aligned with my interests and values. But once I got on the social media bandwagon, I abandoned the boards in exchange for more instant gratification. With message boards you may wait days for a response. With Twitter it may only be seconds. What’s cool is that most of my good friends from my organic gardening message board, some of whom I’ve never met face to face, are now on Facebook–and we’re using our real names! As a former message board junkie, I encourage you to make the switch, unclebuck! Change can be a good thing!

  • http://allenarnn.wordpress.com Allen Arnn

    FB and Twitter would be a big loss. But don’t mess with Google. If I lose my Google Docs I’m in trouble. I use those like a mad man.

  • Hariom

    if Twitter and Facebook are shutting down! that will be bad for all .than i will develop a social n/w sites with the help of my friends…..

  • John

    Twitter is okay, I f*&%$£^& hate facebook (scambook)

    If they both shut down? I would go outside more get some fresh air enjoy the sunshine, go hiking, go to the beach, go the pub and sit in the beer garden.

    Can you shut them down please!?

    John (Twitter addicts anonymous)

  • https://twitter.com/@joescoffeebuzz Joescoffeebuzz

    Please may it never be (LOL) That would mean I would need to start talking to the people around be about how much I enjoy my coffee……

  • @Christin_mathew

    Now v cant think a world with out FB or twitter.it is very difficult to live witout any touch.social sites r helping us to stay connected wit others.What will happen if v can’t open our mouth one day? Same like tat

  • 4evaboogie

    A definite disaster!

  • http://pumpsandgloss.com Pumps And Gloss

    I used to use IRC (Internet Relay Chat) when I was in college back in the days and I could not imagine life without, but you know life moves on…If there were no twitter or facebook tomorrow, some other start up would be launched the following day. No worries, man! :-D

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  • http://www.driftersblog.com/ JR Riel

    Ha! Good one John, T.A.A.

    I remember a few years ago when a social site shut down, I think it was Ringo or something, and it seemed like everyone’s family dog passed away. My friends bemoaned it’s downfall for months after that, refusing to move on. I was living in Mexico at the time, so I had no time to mourn. I just jumped around to a couple of other networks to try out and settled on Facebook, which had already been going strong for years before that even happened. My point is that if it happened, you’re right, it would definitely tear a lot of people apart. The whole world is connected now through these platforms. But after the funeral we’d all go searching around the net to fill the void, and something else just as great or even more life changing will come along to comfort us in our sorrow. For me? I’m just loving it all right now for the great relationships it can help build! Great post, very thought provoking…

  • http://allaboutchris.co.uk Chris

    Let’s just hope it doesn’t happen really.

    The world has changed, and we can’t go back. There’s pluses and minuses, but to people who love integrity, openness and accountability, there’s a lot more pluses.

  • Oceana

    You people are stupid. It’s called a phone, and a family phone book. Ever heard of the phone before? No? Ever heard of snail mail? No? You’ve been living under the facebook rock. FACEBOOK SUCKS! Go call your best friend, or have a family reunion. Show actual pictures rather than digital ones on the web. I deleted my account.

  • http://www.tankumslegacy.com Social Software Guru

    I enjoyed reading your insight…social media software is vital in marketing today, we work at creating it every day.

  • http://www.peretimasd.com Bethany Cichon

    There is obviously a great deal to know about this. I believe you created some very good points in Characteristics also.
    Keep working , wonderful task!

  • Marilyn

    i am so worry that facebook and twitter are shutting down, they are my favorite social networking websites.

  • Marilyn

    i am so worry that facebook and twitter are shutting down, they are my favorite social networking websites. i like them, as the best!!!

  • http://www.sepatuonline-murah.com sepatu murah

    wow, shocking news huh!?

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