BEAUOLOGY 101: FACEBOOK THE FACTS

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“Beau Smith-Your only true friend On Facebook.”

by beau Smith

How long will it be before you’re reading current and back issues of comic books on Facebook? how long will it be before you’re reading new, original content comic books on Facebook? I’ve got a hunch that it won’t be that long.

I know as a creator/marketing person in comic books, I see all these Facebook users and would want them to read/buy MY comics as well as any that the publisher I work for produces. Don’t think that I’m not working on a way for that to happen. The way I’ve got it figured is that the only thing that’s standing between me and a beach house in La Jolla is a lot of money. If I can use Facebook to get to your wallet, then I pledge you, I want to be YOUR friend on Facebook. (Your only friend.)

Unless I am really off mark, reading comic books on Facebook is going to happen, just the same as being able to consume movies, TV, music and other such desirable pop culture treats. As if you didn’t know, Facebook wants you to be a part of Facebook and once you’ve checked in, they don’t want you to leave. They want you to be able to get all your needs, from family and friends communication, to news, enjoyment and anything that hasn’t been developed yet, all from the Facebook community. Actually, the word community is a bit to homey sounding; it envisions a Norman Rockwell world. A a lot more apt word would be Empire; it’s bigger and sounds a lot more powerful. Cult wouldn’t work because that’s too small and hints at being weird.

Facebook wants to be the air you breathe.

Keep your eyes on trends in the tech and Facebook world. You will soon see movements towards TV, film and other Netflix and Amazon consumption being developed on Facebook. history may look back and see that the success of Netflix and others with original programing was merely a very small bump in an all Facebook world history. I’m sure at this moment in business, Netflix, Amazon, and others are a lot more than concerned about the Facebook movement. They must be.

The Future Of Facebook.

Just imagine what TV broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC need to be thinking. Yes, they would rather have you enjoying their programs on their network live when it happens, but with the hyper changes in tech, that has changed. It’s an ala-carte world when it come to how we consume our media. They are changing to that menu even if they don’t like it, or it wrinkles against the system standard. Those networks also see the billion Facebook users and that is one big carrot being dangled. I suspect that comic books, large publishers or self-publishers, also see that as a carrot that need to be followed as they pull the comic book cart behind them.

Personally, I wish Facebook didn’t exist. Being a genuinely introverted guy, I like privacy. but as a creative and service person, I also see the writing on the tech wall as well as my own computer screen. You roll with the flow and hope that you can control and benefit as much as you can from it, because in reality, once you sign on to Facebook, you’re in for good. Sure, you can quit, cancel, and never use it again, but your footprint is there and they will and can continue to use you and your cyber DNA from here on out. I defy you to genuinely tell me you understand every bit of Internet fine print that Facebook has made up for your friendly Facebook page. In some ways, Facebook is the black market for your Internet soul, and you will never be a complimentary man. The Internet incredibly highway is filled with the human trafficking of your life. It’s a world large web and Facebook is the spider. (There, I got all those catchy sayings done, they are now mine…and Facebook’s once this column goes up there.)

Think about your life on Facebook next time you check your newsfeed or scroll down to see what your peers and the millions of other folks that you don’t really know are up to. Are you ready to make Facebook your one stop shopping for….well…everthing? will it happen?

I think so.

Think about how gradual and easy they’ve made it for you so far. They’ve even snared your grandmother into liking and sharing cute cat billboards and pictures of your kids on Facebook.

Could reading Batman and Captain America comics be far behind?

Hail Facebook!

Your sharing Facebook Friend,

Beau Smith

The flying Fist Ranch

www.flyingfistranch.com