Each Facebook change makes a cherub cry

Facebook has always been an evolving creature.

Based on the comments I read each time there is a change, I think that Mr. Z’s team just does whatever they like. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I’m quite sure there is a reason to the madness, most probably lining somebody’s wallet. Or at least that’s their intention…

What’s happening to MY Timeline?

In the last few months, I’ve noticed a decrease in activity for all of my friends on Facebook. That wasn’t the entire story, though. I found that some friends had posted things that never appeared in my news feed, some stopped using Facebook as much, and some are paranoid to post anything because of privacy concerns.

This last weekend a friend shared with me, “I’m not sure if you are telling me something or telling me nothing on Facebook.” I leveled with her: I don’t want people in my business and I don’t want Facebook posts used against me. Maybe I was overreacting. After all, how do I know that any of my friends can read my posts anyhow?

Pet peeve #1: Stalking used to be a skill but now anyone can do it.

When a friend of a friend comments about one of my photos, it appears on my feeds.

Really, Facebook? Before, I would have to go to their page to see what they wrote. You see, I am a Facebook stalking aficionado. Now, not only does it appear in my feeds but it allows me to like it and comment. This takes invasion of privacy and stalking to a whole new level.

Where is the fun when the person you are stalking is sitting in front of you? Sometimes it’s about the hunt and not the capture.

Pet peeve #2: Facebook’s Open Graph algorithm amplifies some, mutes others

I find the same people appear over and over again in my news feed.

Really, Facebook? What did I do to make you determine whose life is most and least interesting to me? I’m a power user, and if there is anything interesting in someone else’s life I’d like to know about it. But I suppose your geeky algorithms are so advanced that you know what I prefer? I would prefer you go back to the drawing board.

Pet peeve #3: Is there no place on Facebook where brands can’t advertise?

There is mucho advertisement in my feeds. Everywhere. Like the Jackson Pollock of advertising.

Really, Facebook? I wouldn’t have noticed as much if it was the good stuff like Starbucks, Nordstrom’s or Macy’s…. but apparently I’m not an appropriate segment for them. I get a dating service, a lot. How does Facebook know I need a date? Maybe because I’m on Facebook so much, which is sad on many levels.

Pet peeve #4: You’re improving Timeline and that’s all you can come up with?

Reports surfaced this week that Facebook is improving the Timeline product by changing the two columns to one column.

Really, Facebook? Of all of the things that you could improve about user experience you are merging two columns into one? I get a choice of 50 different types of shampoo, but I only get one stinking’ format for Facebook: Timeline. And soon with only one column? My cup runneth over from the user experience Gods. Maybe at your next hack-a-thon you can slightly adjust the font size?

Thank goodness there isn’t a dislike button because I would wear it out on nearly everything that Facebook does lately.

What do you think? Who cries more about Facebook: cherubs or investors?