celgins - 11:08 pm on May 19, 2011 (gmt 0)

If I want an individual's opinion on something, I'll get it from them, and THEN go to the web to research ADDITIONAL information. I don't want that clouded by FB user's opinions, even if I know and am linked to those users in some way.

Yes--picking up the phone and calling someone is "old school," and there's nothing wrong with that. But what if a person wants more than just the opinion of an individual on the other end of the phone? Are 100 thumbs up better than one? Maybe, and some folks seek that approval before spending their hard-earned cash, or before trying out a new recipe.

As I've noted (along with others) this has nothing to do with what webmasters and SEOs feel about cluttered, personalized SERPS. It's about satisfying the wants of the growing user-base, and that user-base is--for the moment--Facebook and Twitter crazy.

There was a time when sending a written letter was meaningful. Then came the telephone; then came email; and then came IM/texting/mobile apps. The latter allows you almost unlimited access to a wealth of information, and people want information without waiting and often, without having to think too much.