Mark Zuckerberg, currently worth $34 billion, continues to brush off user suggestions and complaints. On recurring topics such as a 'Dislike' button, ever-morphing privacy shenanigans, and user-hostile 'experiments,' Zuck waxed dismissive. The best he could say was that Facebook takes these things 'seriously.'
Bite me. It's increasingly clear that Facebook is just about making money out of you (not that we're surprised). One has to ask: With 'friends' like Facebook, who the heck needs enemies?
In IT Blogwatch, bloggers furiously eyeroll.
Your humble blogwatcher curated these bloggy bits for your entertainment.
Zach Miners likes Like, but wonders about occasions when the button "just doesn't cut it":
Facebook...is thinking about adding more options, though probably not "dislike." ... Giving users a tool to express a broader range of emotions like empathy or surprise might be a useful feature, [Zuckerberg] said.
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The executive also defended Facebook's frequent updates to its privacy policy, saying they were needed to reflect changing technologies and the arrival of new products.
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Zuckerberg also [talked] about Facebook's controversial "mood experiment," in which the company tweaked the news feeds of some of its users to assess the impact on their moods. He stopped short of apologizing, though he did say it prompted the company to reflect on its internal processes. MORE
Josh Constine liveblogged Zuck's Q&A session:
Zuckerberg discussed how Facebook won’t add a dislike button but wants to give more nuance to how people share emotions and reactions other than approval.
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While Facebook gets flack for making us less connected in real-life...the 30-year old CEO...said the product’s goal it to let us blow past Dunbar’s Number and maintain relationships with more people.
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Overall, Zuckerberg seemed confident and affable...though he frequently relied on saying “That’s a really good question” and “That’s something Facebook takes really seriously” to buy himself time. ... Still, it’s impressive that he would be willing to so directly and publicly respond to some of the company’s harshest criticisms. MORE
And Martin Beck calls out the multi-multi-billionaire's reply: [You're fired -Ed.]
“Some people have asked for a dislike button before,” Zuckerberg said. ... “They want to be able to say that a thing isn’t good and that’s not something that we think is good. ... So we’re not going to build that. I don’t think there needs to be a voting mechanism on Facebook whether posts are good or bad. I don’t think that’s socially very valuable.
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“What’s the right way to make it so people can easily express a broader range of emotions, to empathize. Or to express surprise or laughter or any of these things. ... There’s something that’s so simple about the like button. ... But we need to figure out the right way to do it so it ends up being a force for good. MORE
So what the heck is Facebook doing, button-wise? Nathan Olivarez-Giles has the info:
Facebook has rolled out a new feature that will let you click a single button on a business's Facebook page to book reservations, use an app, go to their...website or sign up for a subscription service, among other things. Facebook is calling these “call-to-action” buttons. ... Among the sort of buttons you may see pop up on Facebook are: book now, contact us, use app, play game, shop now, sign up and watch video.
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This move will...provide additional metrics about what users are up to outside of Facebook, and what they’re spending money on, too. MORE
That's nice, but why should Facebook be only about supporting Mammon? Joe Hallissey comments:
It would be great to have a "Donate" option for the charity I work for, or at least something ambiguous, like "Learn more." MORE
And Kathi Kruse agrees:
My only disappointment is you forgot about non-profits "Donate Now." MORE
As does Allison Young Wilcosky:
What about a Donate Now for nonprofit pages? MORE
[That's enough charitable whinery -Ed.]
Update: Ron Enderland gives up, but despairs for the sheeple:
Facebook and Microsoft leave the same foul taste in my mouth. Thus I've given up both. Sadly, most people will take their **** and stick around, thus encouraging the bad behavior. MORE
Update #2: 'TXPDelta' mockingly cuts to the chase:
Everybody "Like" me. I am popular. I am smart. I am pretty. I am emotionally fragile. My self worth is determined by my "Like" count. I don't know what I'll do if everybody not "Like" me.
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Seriously people. If God forbid someone "Dislike" someone or something, the world will keep spinning. Grow some skin and add a "Dislike" button already. It's long overdue that Facebook has a way of saying that it's users don't "Like" something or someone. MORE
Update #3: Nick August says we should look elsewhere:
If you can dish out a judgment as a 'like' button - you should be able to suck up a 'dislike' button - give us a real choice or keep your small minded one size fits all label to yourelf also.
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I say an emoticon with a smiley face and a chainsaw - mom always said it was okay to be definite, but be polite too.
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[Facebook is] like one black hole of endless need ... look at me - look at me ... tedious. MORE
And Finally: Today's Earworm…
Money (Pink Floyd) [contains one slightly-NSFW word]
[it had an "official music video" in 1973—who knew?]
You have been reading IT Blogwatch by Richi Jennings, who curates the best bloggy bits, finest forums, and weirdest websites… so you don't have to. Catch the key commentary from around the Web every morning. Hatemail may be directed to @RiCHi or itbw@richi.uk. Opinions expressed may not represent those of Computerworld. Ask your doctor before reading. Your mileage may vary. E&OE.