Facebook Begins Assimilating All Users Into New Profile Design

If you haven't already noticed, beginning today Facebook has begun rolling out they're new profile to all users. If you "like it" or not! The new design essentially reshuffles many of the more popular features to appear front and center.

"For the month of December, we gave people the option to upgrade to the new profile early, and hundreds of millions of you made the switch. Starting today, we'll be rolling out the new profile to everyone." Philip Rha announced on the official Facebook blog.

Monday's announcement from the social networking goliath instantly drew countless numbers of negative comments from many users who still want the choice to switch over to the new profile format.

"Well, this sucks. Why not maintain it as a VOLUNTARY choice?" said one user.

Even though Rha claims that hundreds of millions voluntarily made the switch, he left out the fact that many Facebookers like myself who opted in for the switch back in December were pre-warned that doing so would result in a permanent change. There was no option for test driving the new format and then returning back to the good old days.

"Everyone I know is complaining. It doesn't matter, tho. The Facebook gods have made a decision and all us little people don't matter." another user posted.

For now, Facebook regulars will be force fed the new profile no matter how painful the switch appears to be for the supposed minority of users. People love Facebook, but many still hate change. It's just human nature.

I'm certain that a Facebook profile protest group is already being cooked up by those who are just not having the 2011 forced swap. If a popular vote makes any difference to Zuckerberg (Zucker-borg), an angry mob may prove to be the last hope to create enough pressure on Facebook to reconsider allowing the choice of opting in for the new profile.

"The new profile is hideous and hard to navigate. No thank you." said one user from Aberdeen, Washington.

The gods of Facebook have spoken. You're getting assimilated into the new profile. Like it or not. Resistance is futile. You can always go back to MySpace.

New Profile features include:

• A quick summary of who you are (like where you live, work and grew up), right at the top of your profile
• A row of recently tagged photos so friends can see what you've been up to lately
• Room to highlight meaningful friendships (like teammates, co-workers or roommates)
• More of your favorite activities and interests
• The ability to tag your friends in important life experiences

Comments

[Mark Gary Bumenthal, MD, MPH]

Although I enjoy communicating with friends via Facebook, I find their control mentality deplorable, especially where protecting my privacy is concerned.

If I do not like the changes, I will deep-six Facebook and not look back.