Digital Land Rush
Let the countdown begin! Many people predict that facebook’s servers will crash instantly after users are able to access this new change. Someone please remind me why this is something to get so excited about. It seems to me that this is just another (foolish) attempt by facebook to become more twitter-like. This is unfortunate because it means that your profile will now be searchable to anyone who Googles your name.
But, on the bright side, it is kind of cool to be able to choose your own username. It’s always a problem - when you’re introduced to someone new and you want to be able to contact them later (asking for a phone number makes it seem like you’re interested in them, and asking for an email address seems a little too ..dorky) so, instead, you say something like “see you later - i’ll find you on facebook!”—In light of this new facebook feature, I can now say something totally awesome like, “hey, it was nice talking to you - you can find me at facebook.com/sunil.holleratchaboy.pai”
(i’m also considering “facebook.com/sunil.floatlikeabutterflystinglikeabee.pai”. Other suggestions welcome.)
This whole username customization thing is awfully reminiscent of UC-Berkeley’s campaign to encourage students to change their old, numbered student ID’s to something a little more…hip. Remember this annoying picture that popped up anytime you tried to log in to Airbears?:
No. No. NO. I do not want to change my collegiate digital identity to SID VICIOUS from the Sex Pistols (I was never a big fan of European punk rock). I’m quite happy with my eight digit, university issued, standard ID. More importantly, what happened to Oski Bear?? What did this clearly drugged, green mohawked, slobbering, punk rocker do with our beloved mascot?
