Having recently undergone a series of life-changing events, I intimately understand the innate ‘fear of change’ that many of us are vulnerable to.Human beings for the most part, don’t enjoy change. We are creatures of habit, preferring to stick to that which we know even at the price of something potentially better.
Never is this idiosyncrasy more apparent than when a certain Mark Zuckerburg decides our peaceful existence resembles a snow globe that needs a good rattling. The shake unleashes golden snowflakes that flutter and sparkle as they swirl around, but for the poor folk inside, who have been jostled within an inch of their lives, the beauty is not as apparent.
The golden flakes of late are the recently revamped Timeline that will take the place of our well-worn profiles; the ticker that painstakingly records and publishes our every like, action thought and feeling to our networks and an updated newsfeed that vaguely resembles the one we only just got used to.
September 2011 saw these changes rolled out and what followed it was an uproar of disgruntled Facebook users bemoaning their unfamiliar accounts and lamenting their previously adored online experience. How on earth are we expected to enjoy our favourite social network NOW they cry!
Cast your mind back to the last time Zuckerburg gave us a jiggle. Was the reaction not exactly the same? And the time before that? Over the last few years, Facebook has undergone numerous changes to improve usability, update their interface and expedite Facebook stalking. Each time our globe is rocked we get nostalgic for the Facebook we just lost.
As I mentioned before, I am no stranger to the panic that change incites but I am proud to announce that I am actually enjoying the most recent Facebook experience. The timeline (which I installed myself since it has not yet been officially rolled out) is an awesome way to document and review all the hours I have squandered on the site. And the Ticker makes sure I am always well informed about my fellow users own wasted hours. All in all, the changes have improved my experience and I am certain that in a few months when Facebook rolls out their next batch of changes, my efficiently organized news feed will be full of petitions to restore it to the way it is now.
Thank goodness for the Zuckerburgs of the world! For ignoring our anxiety, nudging us towards evolution and making it his business (literally) to never let us get too comfortable. We should take this recipe into our snow globes with us and when we see no sparkles around anymore – do a little shaking of our own!
