There is nothing like talking politics or religion as a sure fire way to pick a fight. But just saying you’re liberal or conservative isn’t really enough to get people going. That’s why it’s awesome that Facebook decided to let people add themselves to a named political party today on their profile. You can now choose from any of your country’s political parties via a drop down menu (although right now, all political parties from around the world seem to be an option).
You can now choose a political party as well as a religion, which gives people more ways to fight (I am a Pastafarian). All this structured data is hugely valuable to Facebook. They can target ads even more closely once they know which political party you’re associated with. Particularly this year, with billions going into advertisements for the presidential elections.
I chose to support the “Alliance For Congo’s Renewal” party for now. Just because I really don’t need to see any more political ads.
I am gravely disappointed that I cannot select the Rhinoceros Party. After all, if I want to elect a party that will repeal the oppressive Law of Gravity, then who the hell is Zuckerburg to tell me I can’t do that!
http://en.wikip...Party_of_Canada
Anti-Facebook application video. Cute. http://www.yout...h?v=3ZzP_69ZTFk
Michael:
You can choose “Pastafarian” from the list of religions that are suggested. I’m glad you’ve also been touched by His Noodly Appendage.
Tom – you know, I totally didn’t realize you could choose a religion in a structured way. need to update the post…thanks.
All well and good but there’s no League for the Fifth International option? What are us orthodox trotskyists supposed to do?
Michael:
I didn’t see a listing for “Goon Squad Party of the Fifth Dimension.” I’m really quite disappointed and underwhelmed by this.
–James
I’m disappointed that the Pirate Party wasn’t in the list, since it’s a recognized party in Sweden, but at least you can enter whatever you want.
What great timing..
The original founder of The Weather Channel (no slouch in the media world, and someone who knows something about weather) made suggestion on FoxNews today that he thinks we need to sue AlGore for spearheading the great carbon trading hoax.
Since the world temp actually fell this year the idea may have merit..
So, how about a CarbonHooligan party?
alaskan – they aren’t calling it global warming any more. It’s the “climate change problem.” that way no matter what happens they can continue to make a ton of money.
another facebook news.
welcome to facebook blog 2
yay the “Work Less Party”!
boo – they didn’t include ‘Humanist’ for religious views.
I thought TC got away from facebook super-ass kissing to just ass-kissing. Guess not
Dave – I’m adding you to the banned from techcrunch list.
What no Cthulhu Party? It’s hard to take this choice seriously when only the media darlings, like Mike’s Conga party get invited. The Cthulhu party is the only party capable not only of destroying the world once in power, but then eating everyone’s souls! (Am I’m starting to sound like Mike Gravel?)
Cthulhu in 08: http://www.face...?gid=2209944331
Great observation Mike..
I think since since everything is now freezing, and most people with a brain realize that the weather does change , the theme does need some work..
No worries here tho mate.
Plenty of firewood cut out in the shed..
I went with Fine Gael, myself. Since I’m both fine _and_ a Gael.
@Phil (13), beware, the question of Ctulhu was among most popular ones asked to President-then Putin, and look where it is all now?
I can see posting a religious or political preference on a forum type of site, but MySpace or Facebook? The only reason they ask is for marketing purposes (disclaimer, my site asks the same for marketing reasons too, plus mine’s a political site). They’re kind of screwing with themselves, though, allowing people to make up whatever suits their fancy. What advertiser would want to market to the Pastafarians? Maybe Chef Boyardee.
Ha, “scientology” isn’t even an option.
Note to self: Start running ads aimed at the “Alliance For Congo’s Renewal” party to gain Michael Arrington’s attention.
Kind of limited I say, on erepublik.com you can actually start your own party or join an existing one and try to rule your country for real. A lot more fun if you are seriously into politics. Btw biggest parties in the Erepublik USA at the moment are:
1) Democrats
2) Libertarians
3) Republicans
…
Is there a special group for “low carb” Pastafarians? I’ve gotta cut back.
It’s VERY hard to choose democrat on the site. If you typic Democrat or even Democratic the “Democratic Party, United States” is not even listed. It’s not until you type in “Democratic P” that it’s actually an option on the dropdown. Since most people just say “I’m a Democrat” I think most people won’t even be able to find that option on the list. That’s pretty stupid.
Thank you Michael for clearly demonstrating that the terrabytes of data that FB has stored is not worth a squirt of piss. I think the comments demonstrate that point as well. Happily, FB has nothing to lose but money.
It would be nice if Facebook would allow us to choose multiple political parties or adjust some meter to display how strongly we believe in a party. For instance, I’m “sorta republican”. I also find it sad that Facebook is getting into politics, since I find the whole system of republicans versus democrats to be quite silly and ineffective. We’re all on the same team afterall. This seems like a somewhat redundant move to Groups, Pages, and Networks. There are so many ways to group up in Facebook, it’s sometimes hard to organize and find the most effective path.
http://humanpets.com/ – Flirting and dating community
Political parties divide the nation in such a way that it no different than how the nation was divided by the civil war. I claim no party, for I am an American first and foremost. as long as people claim a party label there will always be discourse making no time to solve problems which is what we have today.
May you all see the light and stop this cycle of nonsense we are forced to endure.