It was about time for a social networking backlash. That this backlash happens on Facebook itself shows you how powerful social networking (and particularly Facebook) has become.
Two new (satirical, I guess?) Facebook apps joyfully explore the dark side of relationships:
An MIT grad student has developed a Facebook app called Enemybook, which he describes as "an antisocial utility that disconnects you to the so-called friends around you." The app lets you list enemies below friends on your profiles. It is intended to suggest that people who add each other aren't necessarily "friends," and that social networking may have a side that isn't wholly collaborative.
Another app parodying superficial e-friendships is Snubster, which allows members to put offending persons "On Notice" and give them an opportunity to redeem themselves. If they fail, they can be listed as "Dead to Me" by the offended.
Well, it gets even better: Techcrunch reports that a whole Facebook parody site called Hatebook -- of course created by Germans -- provides "(interim) misanthropes with a place to air grievances about everything they hate: "Hatebook looks and functions much like Facebook, except with an evil twist for everything. The color scheme is hellish red, profiles include a section called “Why I’m Better Than You!”, and members can create “Hate Albums” that consist of photos and descriptions of things they hate."
Nice. I mean, evil!
Sorry! Forgot it and fixed it.
Posted by: Tim Leberecht | October 16, 2007 at 07:52 AM
Not that it's a terribly big deal, but you did copy two of the sentences from my article about Hatebook word for word in your last paragraph here. Could you at least put them in quotes, or give TC some link love?
Posted by: Mark Hendrickson | October 16, 2007 at 12:16 AM