OK, I get that people like social web applications. By that I mean I’m at least cognizant of the fact that these applications are big business right now. I understand the draw of apps like LinkedIn or Twitter too. Both of these apps provide a very specific, quantifiable service, and they provide it very well. But apps like Facebook, for example, seem just plain goofy to me. Here’s why:
I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with it.
It’s just kinda “there”. For some reason the phrase ‘Large and in charge’ comes to mind. It seems some people use it to stay connected with old friends and this, interestingly, was how I was first introduced to Facebook.
But most people, as it appears to me, use it to play games like “Who’s in your ninja army?” and “Let’s have an online pillow fight!” I’ll pass on the ninja pillow fight. Unless, of course, it’s a real pillow fight with real ninjas and I can really whack you in the head with something.
But perhaps more importantly, how is Facebook different from any other broad-based social network? It’s not.
What’s up with this whole “Wall” thing?
I mean, seriously, what’s it for? As far as I can tell its sole purpose is to allow you the opportunity to go to your friends’ Facebook and write something really friendly and sophisticated on their Wall like, “yo, let’s have a ninja pillow fight.”OK, OK, I know it’s real purpose. It allows you to ask questions like, “Hey, what’s up? Long time no see.” And then, to reply, your friend can go to your wall and write “Hey, what’s up? Long time no see.” Of course, that’s not a real answer to their question. But then again, it wasn’t really a question.
It’s like when a guy is walking down the street and sees another guy and says, “What’s up?” This, my friends, is not meant to be answered with anything other than another question or possibly an expression like, “Yo” or “Hey”. If someone says “What’s up” to you and you answer “Nothing much, how ’bout you?” You’ll come across as a socially stunted goofus.
It’s the same thing with the Wall on Facebook. It’s not meant to be used to have a conversation. It’s purpose is to say “What’s up?” to your friends. To which they should respond, on your Wall, “What’s up?” Any attempt to have a conversation via yours or anyone else’s Wall will make you look like a socially stunted goofus.
Conversations are for private messages, a.k.a. “Facebook Email Service”. They’re emails folks. That’s all private messages are.
15 billion people all saying “What’s up?” to each other; over and over and over again. That’s what the Wall is. I’ll pass.
So far we’ve got an online social app that lets you email people and say “What’s up?” Wow, this application is looking better and better. Oh, wait, I forgot about the ninja pillow fights …
Why is Facebook valued at $15 billion?
What’s more, this breaks down to each user being worth $300! Of course, we should keep in mind here that at least one reason there are so many “users” is because it’s impossible to actually delete a Facebook account. Once you create one it can only be put in a “standby” state until it’s “reactivated.” I would bet my shirt that there are millions of people who have a Facebook account just to have one; and more that have one who don’t want to have one and just can’t delete it. You’re stuck with an account … forever.
So if you take into account that much of the user-base for Facebook are not actually users the numbers would probably look more like $1,000 per user valuation. Is each active user of Facebook really worth $1,000? No. The answer is a resounding no. The price is in the hype. Facebook simply isn’t worth that much money. And sooner or later the hype bubble will burst.
I’m not saying that I think all social applications are a waste of server space. I’m not even necessarily saying that Facebook is a waste of server space. All I’m saying is that as far as I can see Facebook is no different from any other broadly based social network and it’s usefullness is squelched by it’s desire to “be all things to all people.” Social networks are best when they’re focused, direct and ninja-pillow-fight free.
