With all the the panic and anticipation (depending on what side you're on) over the coming Facebook changes, you'd think it was Facebook's second coming. In some ways I suppose it is, since second comings, by design, come when you least expect them and tend to baffle many.
What is most baffling in this case is the seemingly backwards process, and how little input Facebook users seem to have in the development of a platform that Facebook says is centered on connecting more emotionally with them. Though it's not entirely unusual to find development processes that seem a little backward.
For example, what do you think came first in the US, maps or road signs?
Well according to Ken Jennings' (of Jeopardy fame) new book, Maphead, Rand McNally created their road Atlases, soon after decided a system of numbered roads was badly needed and then proceeded to go about numbering the country's roads (yes actually going out and posting numbers on roads). It caught on quickly and eventually the government agencies actually managing the roads took over where Rand McNally left off. A case for those in the backwards is good camp.
All of this begs the question, will Facebook continue to number crunch their way towards the hearts and minds of their consumers (and will it work), or at some point will input from real life consumers take over where the algorithms leave off?
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