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“We are building a Web where the default is social” – Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook

Really, Mark?

Facebook’s annual f8 conference in San Fransicso saw the social networking giant unveil a number of key developments that many say are set to change the future of the web as we know it. The Open Graph platform is perhaps the most prominent of the anticipated features, causing speculation around the industry.

However, will it really live up to the hype? Will Facebook’s expanded strategic reach really fundamentally change the way people use the Internet? Will Facebook become the login to the Internet, as ReadWriteWeb put it recently? Is the Web actually becoming primarily social?

We are skeptical. While Facebook is a good way to keep in touch with friends, the Internet is much  more than just plain socialization. People come to the Internet to look for things they can’t find in their immediate surroundings or in real life. These items of interest, such as the need for information resulting in a Google query, a desire to purchase something that is not available in the vicinity, comparing prices, or helping decision making processes are not things can Facebook can currently do for an Internet surfer.

“Our goal is to use the open graph so people can have instantly social experiences wherever they go,” says Mr. Zuckerberg. Well if you really want to have an instantly social experience, we suggest you step outside of your house and say hi to the next random stranger that walks by. Or better yet, visit Chatroulette if you really must be instantly social on the Internet.

Although it is fun to be able to talk to and gossip with friends and acquaintences, creating a useful economy around socialization will take much more than just the poorly-named Open Graph. What is more likely is that Facebook will be relegated to a communication tool, not the primary driver of the Internet economy.