Has Facebook Jumped The Shark?

Not particularly happy about Facebook's new Timeline concept and the obligatory, unchangeable public nature of it, nor the "requirement" that I become a developer to participate when I don't even want to participate.

I do not begrudge Mr. Zuckerberg developing ways to further monitize his little baby, but please do not do it on my back. He has stretched the boundaries of what is and isn't private, has done most of his dirty work in the shadows and made me go on Quixotic like quests to figure out how to retain control of my privacy.

Enough is enough.

Creating a virtual world where we have the opportunity to seek, connect with and foster relationships with family and friends who, in the old days, might have fallen by the wayside diminishing us all as a result, was a notable and worthy effort. I applaud the creativity, the entrepreneurial courage and willingness to risk it took to build this virtual world.

But I was under the impression that this was to be "our" world, here for our benefit and enjoyment, and always under our complete control. How foolish of me. How foolish of us.

Are 800,000,000 members not enough? Is joining the top 10 wealthiest people in the world before your 30th birthday not enough?

Sorry Mr. Zuckerberg, it is all folly. This will not make you happy. This will not guarantee you security. This will not add your name to any eternal list or make you truly loved and appreciated by anyone who should really matter in your life.

You have jumped the shark. You have no life vest and are afraid to let go of the rope. You appear doomed and I'm sorry.

You do have some truly endearing qualities (not the t-shirt thing) and could yet accomplish much if you just set your sails in a different direction and took advantage of the momentum you now enjoy.

Prepare to come about!

September 23, 2011   Permalink   Rick Clark