This change would appear to be without any reason or basis, it has resulted in great turmoil or at least a number of sites seeking to return to the good old days.
I wonder how many of these "traditionalists" are aware of the origin of Facebook.
Its origins are shrouded in some mystery and some believe that references can be found to it, or at the least alluded to it in Virgil and Homer, though upon closer examination these are, arguably without foundation.
It was rumoured that Basil II, the noted Byzantine Emperor aquired the label "Bulgar Slayer" on account of a Bulgarian monk's unflattering comments posted on a monastic circular, which could be construed as a pre-runner to the modern day facebook, unfortunately the monk, his circular and monastery were put to the sword so confirmation remains problematic.
The Knights Templars, or the Poor Knights of Jesus Christ of the Temple of Solomon of Jerusalem, were the first to identify and properly exploit this "social utility".
While the Knights Templars have long been known as the original western bankers, feared crusaders and (unfortunately for them) heretics, it is not so well archived that the relied upon their own version of this latter day phenomenon, and it has been posited that those behind the modern version borrowed, and in the process anglicised, the name, the Templars using the name "Il libro del viso".
Il libro del viso, as it was called started out detailing promotions and news within the order, it also contained a section where Knights could keep up with social affairs, albeit by way of a code contained within the text. This "utility" enabled the Knights to communicate within the Holy Land also with their lands in Europe. It underpinned the Order and ensurred its pre-eminence in Christian Europe.
It was the Knights decision to refuse to "confirm" or "accept" Phillip the Fair as a "friend" or "fra", notwithstanding numerous requests that lead to his decision to suppress the Order, and the burning of the Grand Master Jacques Molay. It is recorded that Jacques Molay condemned both Phillip the Fair and the Pope who had participated in the persecution to join him in the hereafter within a year of his (Molay's) death. Actually, he delaimed that they would have to die before he would add them to his friends, and so they did.
It was at this point that documented details of Il libro disappear from the world scene. You can see an original manuscript along with a list of "friends" in the da Vinci Code, where Tom Hanks is in the Scottish Church.
However, reality becomes mixed with myth and various bodies have sought to "claim" this monastical, yet powerful "social utility" and to harness it for themselves. It is said that you can obtain a qualification in it in the Freemasons.
One last mention of "Il libro", which has some academic foundation relates to Robert the Bruce's victory at the Battle of Bannockburn 1314. Researchers have found that in the year proceeding the battle a strange document was to be found summoning "ye knightes of christe" to a great cause, a reunion no less. The reunion was to take place on the same day and close to place of the Battle of Bannockburn and it was "ye knightes" on their way to their party, who saw Robert in trouble and charged out of the mist to ensure Scotland's independance.
Next week
The Indian Mutiny - a leading academic argues that it was not cakes or chappatis that preceeded the Mutiny, but a Hindooostani blog
The American War of Independance -Boston Tea Party or irresponsible social networking?
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