Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident • Hacker News Board

Re: Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident

#21

Post by jeffdechambeau » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 6:08 PM UTC

chefsurfing wrote: post #17

Jeff, if I read you correctly, you think turning on brain system 1 and brain system 2 to insert advertising constitutes a grey or dark pattern [1]? [1] http://wiki.darkpatterns.org/Home

Very interesting. I know what I'll be doing with my afternoon.

I lacked this language, but yes I think that's a fair reading of my position.

There's a broader argument that facebook really is providing a valuable service to us by making us aware of products and services that really will make our lives better. I'm unmoved by that claim, as I suspect most of us are.

Re: Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident

#22

Post by AznHisoka » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 6:08 PM UTC

stevecooperorg wrote: post #15

gonehome wrote: post #2

Seems to me the much more likely scenario is that Timeline was created to give a better (and prettier) interface for users to access the information posted to facebook - not some kind of secret psychological advertising conspiracy.

The new timeline is why I quit FaceBook in December. It creates a badly jumbled view of the information I was really hoping to see -- what's going on with me and my friends? I can handle a straight chronological list very easily. This is an interesting answer to the question 'why didn't they stick with the simplest approach?'

Perhaps they're running out of ways to innovate and worthwhile things to do? Facebook, in its core is a very simple product. Most of the work I imagine is in making sure the servers don't crash. Sure everyone and their mom uses it, and it sounds sexy to work there, but actual work you do? Doesn't sound that complicated, cutting-edge or innovative. It's not like they're doing genetic engineering, or self driving cars.

Re: Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident

#23

Post by thomasgerbe » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 6:09 PM UTC

jraines wrote: post #10

It has its rough edges, but I have to say that scrolling down the Timeline is a more personal and emotional experience than can be found anywhere else.

I have to disagree. Going through a photo gallery is far more emotional and personal than browsing a two column grid.

Re: Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident

#24

Post by rkudeshi » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 6:09 PM UTC

bobbles wrote: post #9

I love the timeline layout.. id rather scroll easily through stuff from a couple of years ago and get a good overview of what I was doing than go through photo galleries I have on my PC with no context or further information.

The real question is, are you OK with your "friends" going through your profile and doing the same thing?

Re: Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident

#25

Post by natesm » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 6:09 PM UTC

citricsquid wrote: post #7

I like the new Timeline feature but the inability for me to switch to some sort of "old" view when I just want to see a perfect list of updates without any fancy grouping an annoyance. For casual use the Timeline is good but it leaves a lot to be desired when I want to see everything.

Buy an iPhone.

Joking. But the Timeline view in the iOS app places all items in a single column.

That said, Facebook has basically become a place where I sync my tweets and other services like Instagram so that people that I know who don't use Twitter yet can see them.

Re: Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident

#26

Post by bobbles » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 6:11 PM UTC

rkudeshi wrote: post #24

bobbles wrote: post #9

I love the timeline layout.. id rather scroll easily through stuff from a couple of years ago and get a good overview of what I was doing than go through photo galleries I have on my PC with no context or further information.

The real question is, are you OK with your "friends" going through your profile and doing the same thing?

..yes? Why I would I friend someone if I didn't want them to be able to see my info/pictures? I'm sure people care a lot less about me than I do.

Re: Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident

#27

Post by jgw » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 6:12 PM UTC

"the smartest people in the world are working hard to come up with ways to get you to click on ads.”

Does anyone know what quote he's alluding to here? I recall skimming an article on it some time ago, but I can't actually find the original.

I've been thinking about this trend - and, quite frankly, being depressed by it - a lot recently.

Re: Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident

#28

Post by jeffdechambeau » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 6:13 PM UTC

jgw wrote: post #27

"the smartest people in the world are working hard to come up with ways to get you to click on ads.” Does anyone know what quote he's alluding to here? I recall skimming an article on it some time ago, but I can't actually find the original. I've been thinking about this trend - and, quite frankly, being depressed by it - a lot recently.

I went looking for it too but came up empty handed. I know it was said/written somewhere.

And yeah, it is depressing. And I spend my time thinking about what they're doing... not sure if that is better or worse.

Re: Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident

#29

Post by alabut » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 6:14 PM UTC

randomdata wrote: post #19

Jimmy wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But it's not a better and prettier interface. It's just awful. Granted, the only ads that appear on a Timeline page are in a narrow column off to the side (I didn't even know there were any ads until I specifically checked for them after reading this article), so I'm not sure how valid this conspiracy theory is. But it doesn't change the fact that Timeline looks horrible.

It is worth noting that every change Facebook has ever made has been deemed awful by a significant number of people. I'm not certain Facebook, or anyone for that matter, could make an update that satisfies everyone.

You're absolutely right and it's called Baby Duck Syndrome, which you can learn about after the blackout here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_duck_syndrome

Re: Facebook Timeline is too awful to be an accident

#30

Post by eekfuh » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 6:17 PM UTC

SomeOtherGuy wrote: post #18

jff wrote: post #3

Or the Facebook Timeline is their New Coke--they can roll it out, then in a few months roll back to something similar, but not exactly the same as, the old layout.

If it is their New Coke, then what you mean is they can roll it back to something exactly the same, and then have conspiracy nuts repeat nonsense claims that it is different now. New Coke was not a way to distract people while they changed the recipe of classic, classic didn't change.

Classic did change. It went from having cane sugar before to having high fructose corn syrup afterwards.