Facebook Marketplace: Connection or Transaction?

The rise of Facebook Marketplace is surprising. It's a massive virtual flea market, rough around the edges yet surpassing eBay in user base. The pandemic and inflation fueled its growth, attracting younger users. The author found that excessive Facebook use increased spending, but distancing from the platform eliminated the temptation of its targeted ads. The article explores Facebook's core nature: does it connect people or facilitate transactions? The rise of Buy Nothing groups, a mutual aid gifting model, suggests a different answer: genuine connection isn't built on transactions.