What is Facebook for?

So, I joined. I connected with a bunch of "friends" from high school, college, old jobs, etc. People I haven't spoken with in years. I "became a fan" of several things I like - beers, cities, Pandora. Now what?

I can't really post updates to my status because there are so many people with whom I'm "friends" that shouldn't need or want to know the intimate details of my life. To add more complexity to what should a be simple web application, I cannot reveal a whole lot of my interest in politics as so many of my friends are vehemently liberal and would probably reject my friendship if they found out I do not subscribe to Progressive policies.