There are many angles to this, but it boils down to one thing: your mum isn't on it, your cousin in Santiago or in Hong Kong isn't on it, your friends' party isn't on it and they all are on FB. This makes it very difficult to get an alternative going. It would be healthy if there was one, but it looks quite, quite difficult.
Yes, Livejournal is here and, if you're reading this, it means you are here and, probably some of your friends -but not all, certainly not your mum in Santiago or your cousin in Hong Kong -and that friends' party is not here either. It is not ever going to be a Facebook killer, although I do believe it has a role to play -but a different one.