Berwyn Talk Forum

Facebook can be good for disseminating information, but lousy at removing the noise and garbage that surrounds that information. Some of that is a function of how Facebook works---anybody can play, and it encourages memes and photos over actual information. And, of course, Facebook has had a hard time keeping bigotry at bay. There's a Facebook group that's run by a former poster here, billyjean. Billyjean was a moronic blowhard who lost every single debate she had on this site with reasonable people---she'd post stuff about how monstrous gay marriage was, Obama birther crap, etc. It was easy to shut that down here, because here you had to focus on information and rational arguments, and she was never in possession of them. But over there, her garbage pile can fester unchallenged because she's amassed a small militia of blowhards who are equally or even more moronic: There are people who post overtly racist memes about Islam and immigrants, and only slightly more subtle misogynist/racist attacks on legislators like Maxine Waters and Nancy Pelosi. Another former poster here, eno, who lost arguments all the time and would then threaten to sue you as he was losing the argument, routinely posts there about how Democrats are the real racists; he may be the last man in America who has yet to let go of his grievance with Jeremiah Wright. Any person who visits the page would come away with the impression that Berwyn is mostly occupied by bigots who are deeply, deeply terrified of the world.

Senator, if you ever change your mind about Facebook and decide to join up, it should be the first place you go.

I just wish Facebook wouldn't have taken people away from these boards.

A shame the Suburban Life isn't covering this stuff. They should do better.

I went to Facebook because I get news there about Berwyn that I do not get otherwise.  I was a late comer to Facebook but it is worth it for me.

For example, on Tuesday, the Berwyn City Council paid out $195,000 on a sexual harassment case involving the deputy police chief Joseph Drury (who is on paid leave of absence).  A woman went to the trouble of getting an electronic copy of the complaint and posted it. The allegations were very disturbing.

Also, lots of informative posts about the over tax that happened in District 100.  The district miscalculated what the levy should be and people's tax bills were 3 times higher than expected with the new tax rate that was approved in the referendum because the triennial reassessment increased property values in Berwyn by over 20%.

  I get information about things like this on Facebook that I do not get any where else.  I don't post much on my own Facebook page - I just use it to get info on Berwyn from the various Berwyn groups - Berwyn Cool Kids, South Berwyn Watch, Berwyn Connect and Berwyn Connections.

Each group serves its own purpose and allows me to find out things that I would not normally find out about - so it is worth the trouble (to me, at least) of being on Facebook.

I do. I understand the criticisms of Facebook. I have no doubt that I understand those criticisms even better than you do. I read; you don't. What I don't understand is why you're so invested in this.

pay attention to the news

Are you on Facebook, Senator? If not, why is this a concern for you?

How many are getting tired of Facebook? Are they trying to obtain your personal accounts?

For weeks garbage cans were getting tagged, some needed it, garbage was in wrong cans, over flowing early in the week.I figured its about time!Others were putting garbage in their neighbors cans, well a letter finally came out with instructions.The question is will they follow the rules? Maybe a fine would kelp!

I really enjoyed BTF,I believe many still do.This site is much more about Berwyn. I have meet many old friends on BTF,interesting how things come together.So far we were all in the Morton East Band,1960's and still playing! Paying attention what people are saying gives the clue who they are, the fun is guessing.