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The Almighty Facebook
Published on 30/03/06
by John Phillips
So today was probably the nicest day we’ve had since last fall, and it felt real nice to not have to worry about bundling up to go outside. But as nice as this weather was, I have to admit that I was pretty damn salty today. I was walking to the IC to get some lunch and I saw all these people just coolin out in the sun, chillin in the grass and having nothing to worry about. Meanwhile, the only thing that I could think of was how much I missed the days when our friends did the same damn thing. It was more like an event when the first few warm days came around because everyone started calling everyone to see what who was doing and where. And everyone had the same thing on their minds………..and that was chillin outside, with a few cocktails, and more than likely not going to most of their classes. So it dawned on me today that I will never have that experience again. It’s more depressing than anything, and I think I was more salty about today, than knowing people were going on spring break somewhere warm. Although most of my friends have full time jobs and probably feel the same way I do, that doesn’t make me feel any better knowing that people are enjoying the weather all day when I am inside working. At least I like my job or else I would be waaay more pissed off about the subject. Oh well.
So I can’t help but to make mention of a this article that I came across yesterday about non other than damn Facebook. It was in my away message the other day, so if you didn’t catch it, here it is. And if you don’t know what Facebook is, what the hell world are you living in. But anyways, the article had said that the owners of Facebook turned down a $750 million offer to buy them out. Yes, you read that right, seven hundred and fifty fucking million dollars……….and they turned it down. Why did they turn it down?! Because they could probably get up to $2 BILLION for it. I seriously almost puked when I saw those figures. Lets dig deeper…..
First off, how do you not want to slap yourself, just a little bit, for turning down $750 mil. Are you kidding?! I would have started signing fucking toilet paper the minute someone said “We’ll offer.” Hell, I would have given them the computer is was built on, my apartment, and anything they felt necessary for that much money. I’m sorry Facebook is not that hot where I’d need to turn down offers like that. You’re basically set for life with that kind of check, even after you pay off all of the people that work for Facebook. Can’t believe they turned that down. At the same time, I can see wanting to keep it in the family and not hand it over to a CEO who could potentially kill the community vibe that it has. But still, I can’t believe they turned that down.
Secondly, $2 billion? Will a company seriously have the balls to just drop that much coin on Facebook. Granted, I’m sure they would make the money back through advertisements and such, but still. That’s no minor investment. If that investment flopped, I’d think that it would put quite the hurting on a company. But, it won’t flop. Why? Because there is waaay too much potential for Facebook. Once handed over to a big name company, they will be charging big bucks for people to advertise on there. Just look at the young audience of Facebook, and how many young people are on that site every day. That should be a dream platform for some companies to advertise on. I usually hate advertising on websites, but Facebook has done a good job at keeping it clean and out of the way, yet still noticeable. What else would you expect from Harvard guys?
The only reason it isn’t bigger than Myspace is because it’s limited to universities and unfortunately, high schools. I think that somehow, it will find a way to get bigger than Myspace, at least I hope. Myspace is a hunk of utter trash. And you may think the same thing, but from a designer stand point, trust me, its a worst nightmare at best. Facebook is also alot safer than Myspace too because not just any old molestor gets to register for it. Aside from that, it just spread to Canada, so now that’s an extra 500 people on the site! More than likely, even if not bought out by a big name, it will spread worldwide…….no joke. And that’s when Myspace gets a silver medal under Facebook. So now put a price tag on a market like Facebook if it spreads globally…..$2 billion is hella money, but sounds a little more logical now. Even if it doesn’t sell, Facebook has already made over $13 million. That’s not too shabby either.
But I will be trying to follow up with this whole Facebook buzz, and you keep you posted, because it is interesting the kind of money that companies are throwing around for so many different web products…….and I don’t need to get into detail at all, but the web industry is booming right now 
So if you have any ideas that have to do with the web, please let me know, because now is a great time to start pushing out ideas. But I’m all ears for ideas because success stories like this give me hope, and especially because it’s on the web! I don’t know about you, but dammit I want to be rich. Not even so much rich, but……………..you know what, nevermind, I want to be rich. I’ll just leave it at that.
And by the way, Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, is only 21 years old.
peace