Would you prefer that an out-of-touch or sour friendship fade over time or end with an official concession? If you choose the later, then you’re more likely to appreciate Edouard Gatouillat’s popular browser script, Unfriend Finder, which allows users to view who’s “unfriended” them on Facebook.
With over 44 million downloads, the script sends notification of a friend’s deactivation in the same way as a friend request or message is received. For some, it’s a great way to get a heads up on possible viruses or hacks taking place within their network. When friends deactivate their accounts in mass, the immediate reaction should to protect your site rather than discontinue uploading cat pictures (the unsubscribe option was actually made for cat pictures).
Facebook has long resisted adding options such as the Unfriend Finder or the oft-discussed, “dislike” button and who can blame them?
They want users to feel free from discouragement or negativity when posting or experiencing their platform. Especially as much of what we post is led by emotional reactions rather than by logic. So, although the public may petition for such tools or even use 3rd party applications (many of which carry viruses themselves), Facebook refuses to endorse or implement any such product that doesn’t publicly validate other users.
What do you think? Would having these tools readily available encourage, discourage or change the content of our communication?
