This article is predicated on the assumption that Facebook and social media have no use-value, meaningful function or utility of any kind aside from distraction or entertainment. That's ridiculous. Social media, including Facebook, facilitate many types of exchanges and functionalities— professional, personal, cultural and familial— aside from trading memes and quizzes. Two examples:

1) On a professional level, every week literally dozens of professional opportunities circulate through Facebook. Another thing that constantly circulates is awareness of the accomplishments and activities of my professional peers— they know what I'm up to and I know what they're up to. It's incredibly useful.

2) I've moved to a new city for work every two years for the last eight years. If not for Facebook, making (and maintaining) an entirely new social circle from scratch every two years would've been far more difficult. Not to mention simply being aware of cultural, social and professional events going on in the area.

I'm not cheerleading or shilling for Facebook, but I'm baffled that a journalist (albeit sans byline) can't see how social media is useful for creating & reaching an audience and creating & participating in meaningful conversations.