Facebook “Open Graph” platform aims to compete with Google

Facebook has indeed become huge, with over 400 million global users, and they are going to try to make search engines like Google obsolete with their new “Open Graph” platform. The intention is to allow Facebook members to engage a “like” icon while they are surfing the web, and without leaving the page, the article that they like will appear on their Facebook page. In this manner, people would be able to find information through the direct recommendation of others rather than through search engines.

“The web is at a really important turning point now. Most things aren’t social and they don’t use your real identity. This is really starting to change,” said Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook.

Personally, I deleted my Facebook account because I found that my network of “friends” stuck to a rather surface and banal, “safe” sharing of information that couldn’t possibly offend (or for that matter, inspire) anyone. When I would look at the question asking me what was on my mind, I realized that I couldn’t share what I was thinking without coming across as “inappropriate.” And I have no need for superficial relationships, so what’s the point?

This sounds like something that will be used to shill products and services and allow those who have an agenda to preach to those who felt a responsibility to become their Facebook friend for one reason or another.

When your surfing is public to all, including your professional network, it limits your freedom and injects a Big Brother into your life that tacitly monitors your behavior. It may be something that is of value with some networks of friends, but it smells to me like another Facebook attempt at regulating web usage in accordance with corporate mores.