Friday, March 27, 2009

Friday, March 13, 2009

Facebook as HAL

Facebook had an open window which beckoned users to write something following,"[name] is:__________." Now Facebook uses the voice of a separate entity--- directly asking users, "What's on your mind?__________" This reminds me of the quasi-therapeutic quasi-concern that the 2001: A Space Odyssey computer, HAL, showed for the astronaut, Dave, whom HAL would later attempt to murder.

I'd find this pretty humorous, if not for the fact that Facebook recently tried to seize the rights to all content posted to Facebook, and the content within websites in links posted on Facebook.