I use to think like that, but engineers ARE people and PEOPLE need reasons for doing things. Getting people to do the right thing is therefore of the HIGHEST value and Facebook (or FreeRepublic for that matter) , can work towards that goal. (FreeRepublic much more so than Facebook obviously ). The moral of this story is that by telling yourself such things don't matter you let our enemies dominate the conversation!
You mean communication is the way to attempt to persuade people of a position. You are preaching to the choir on FR and FB is not a place of substantial discussion. Spilling ones guts in public is not constructive communication.
FB is not a reason for doing things. Neither is FR. Accomplishment is.