We're doing everything in our power to fast forward/skip through ads on TV. Why would a company think we'd sign up via Facebook to be advertised to? They have to offer something of value. I signed up as a fan of iTunes because I like iTunes and they give away free music only through joining. And their ads aren't annoying.

True enough, Mike! On the other hand, it goes both ways. Why do we expect that a company offering free services to its client base will find a way to make money that doesn't involve offending that same client base? How is it even possible to make money when offering free yet valuable services to such a huge client base... how large is the membership now - in the hundreds of millions by now, I expect?

We want the free services but we don't want to be inconvenienced or taken aback by privacy concerns. Seems that puts FB in a tough spot, too. Just sayin.'

Google makes plenty of money off YouTube. Mainly because they built their own network to support it, then sell the excess bandwidth. Quite ingenious, actually.

Yep, good example. YouTube makes money and is immensely popular. But Facebook is different... people seem to shun ads (completely understandable on a number of levels) but they also get tend to get pissed if a site starts to charge for services formerly available free of charge.

Still... most people will put up with outrageous abuses of privacy if it means they can keep networking. Facebook seems to understand that and operates under the assumption that this is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.

You're Zucked! - New catchphrase for hosed. I like Calacanis's list of the week's big headlines. Funny stuff, almost as funny as FB's valuation.

The valuation been insane for way too long and they really need to deleverage Facebook and cut their losses before it goes from worse to worser. Someone can always dumpster dive the bargain basement and rebuild it into something decent. I think they're going to pull the plug - Stupid not to - Never see any money. Investing in expansion is one thing, but if they had a good hard honest look at accountability they'll probably find covering operations, and if it aint there now, it's gonna be soon, as the cost of takeovers goes up as their value goes down.

Facebook is pretty much Zucked over, Zucked themselves, all Zucked up, whatever

Ed

LOL

Question is, if someone decides to buy out FB and make it into something useful, what might that look like - and again, what will the revenue generation scheme look like?

Like, what-evz, man.

I liked "Zuckerpunched"

Best o' the bunch!

I dunno
But hopes its not that (FaceBook Sibling) that sends me that there are this Many Woman looking for you you click on it and they want a subscription fee