[dcurtis]

Beacon was great because it showed that Facebook isn't scared to take risks. They later admitted it was a bad idea.

I'd rather a company like Facebook err on the side of innovation.

[seldo]

Selling my information to third parties without permission or prior notification is neither innovative nor brave.

[julio_the_squid]

I suppose you could say it's 'brave', though, in the same way that trying to swindle someone and hoping they don't notice is brave.

[jrockway]

That's not what "brave" means.

[marbletiles]

/pedant: it is, actually. Definition is "ready to face danger or pain". "Brave" is mostly used approvingly, but it's also completely proper in sentences like "He decided the app should be IE-only, which was a brave move but one he felt was justified by ..."

Similarly with "daring" -- you often hear of "daring robberies" and the like.

[orborde]

Interesting point. "Brave" is usually considered to be a virtue, and people don't want to attribute virtues to scoundrels.

[jrockway]

Ah, the joys of learning English from dictionary definitions instead of literary use.

[james2vegas]

Because dictionary definitions aren't based on literary use at all.

[marbletiles]

Sorry, you don't get to be all prescriptivist in telling someone what "brave" doesn't mean, then suddenly produce a descriptivist defence when you're called on it; they're incompatible.

[axod]

It's sometimes funny that people take this position.

Personally, I don't give 2 hoots if companies want to sell my information to each other. Good on them. I lose nothing by them doing it. Couldn't care less. (As long as it's stated in T&C that they are doing it).

It's especially ironic, since people moan at the music companies, saying that downloading music illegally isn't theft, since you haven't deprived them of anything.

[joubert]

scammy =/ innovative