David Yelles wrote an article entitled “Mark Zuckerberg Uses the Word “Social” a Lot: Facebook’s grand plan for the future” that was posted in Slate Magazine on Sunday. Regardless of where you stand on Facebook (and there are many debates with heated opinions), take the time to read Yelles’ article. It’s a long piece, coming in at more than 4,000 words, so don’t expect to breeze through it. The comments are also worth reading; they don’t pull any punches.

Yelles isn’t an impartial observer of Facebook or Mark Zuckerberg. He tells us that he’s been interviewing “Zuck” for two years. Yelles seems to bask in the glow of Facebook Deals, a new service from the parent of social networks. He proudly mentions that “Facebook now has more than 500 million active users, is expected to take in at least $1.5bn in revenue this year, mostly from advertising, and becoming a part of ever more daily services on the Web.” (1)

While these facts are impressive for a six-year-0ld company, Yelles doesn’t give much copy space to address some of the significant controversies Facebook has encountered in the last 18 months or so, specifically in the areas of privacy and security. In fact, the word “privacy” only appears six times in the article and “security” doesn’t appear at all. I, for one, wish he had. But don’t fear; the reader comments deal with both of these issues head on.

So, read Yelles’ article and let me know what you think.

Notes

(1) Mark Zuckerberg Uses the Word “Social” a Lot: Facebook’s Grand Plan for the Future, http://www.slate.com/id/2276807/pagenum/all/.

I’ve been a fan of Southwest Airlines for many years. Quick personal story…

Last year I rode in the Livestrong Challenge, a bike fundraiser sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I flew Southwest because it was a direct Boston-to-Austin flight, they had the best fare, and my bike was only $50 one-way vs. at least $125 with all other carriers. Even though my bike was in a hard-shelled case, I was worried it was going to get damaged. The result? When I got off the plane Southwest’s PA system called for me and a baggage handler personally wheeled out my bike…nice!

What does the Southwest represent to me?

• Commitment to customers and employees
• Efficient operations
• Quality product
• Courage to be different
• Fun

It’s no surprise that these marketing messages are consistent with Southwest’s overall marketing strategy. But, at least to me, they work; they aren’t just empty marketing communications. For example, who can watch the Southwest Airlines Rap on YouTube and not imagine being one of the passengers enjoying the rap?

Jad Mouawad recently wrote an article in the New York Times entitled “Pushing 40, Southwest Is Still Playing the Rebel” about the history and future of the airline. While some have lauded Southwest’s business practices, the company is not without its critics. But most airline and business experts agree that Southwest’s targeted acquisition of Air-Tran will be among the biggest challenges it has yet to face. I, for one, wish them every success…they’ve earned it, at least from this happy customer.