In the last few months, I've had many friends call me and ask "How can I get rid of my Facebook account?"

Sadly, this task is probably the single toughest task you'll ever encounter on the web, in your computing life or for that matter on earth.

Here are a few links to stories and articles that reference why I have boycotted the use and the concept of Facebook. Putting aside my paranoia or conspiracy theories, the fact of the matter is I have no use for this service and have little interest in support the megalomania that is surrounding those on the board of directors behind this project. And people, let us not forget one thing: this is all a project. A social experiment of sorts.

If you don't believe me, then consider the following: if you weigh into the equation the number of times we have been right, as a people, as a race, as a species, versus the number of times we've been wrong. An obvious pattern emerges: humans tend to assume an ideological, irrational obsession for what they believe is right in the moment when in the face of obvious inconsistencies they are being proven wrong. Whether conservative minded or liberal minded, odds are, the next several generations will suffer the indignities of sufferance at the hands of their ancestors.

Here are a few links to cherish:

• WikiHow How to Permanently Delete a Facebook Account - I've never tried this technique and am not certain if it really works. I get the impression this is another way of phishing for emails. Though, probably just my paranoia in affect.
• Delete, cancel and terminate facebook account and profile - this page has a some clean graphical representations of what to do. The steps are simple and straight forward. I believe this is exactly what I did. Though, once again, the title of this account is misleading, as in fact, you have not deleted the account, but simply deactivated it.
• steps to closing your facebook account - this little story goes on to show an opinionated account of what happens when you attempt to delete an account on Facebook. Funny and entertaining to read.
• How to permanently delete your Facebook account - This solution comes courtesy of ZDNET and a group on Facebook that attempts to provide users with a working solution. This one requires that you contact the Facebook support and information division. I trust this mechanism probably works best.

This media shows a few ideas I endorse:

Links worth reviewing:

• Profile on Peter Thiel - This is the dude behind the smoke and mirrors. The proverbial Wizard behind the curtain.
• With friends like these ... - Tom Hodgkinson is a columnist for the Guardian paper. This article appeared in the Guardian on Monday January 14 2008 on p6 of the Comment & features section.

So far, this is what I've been able to pull together from various sources around the net. Should you have any leads on material that shed light on the inner workings of Facebook and the Thiel empire, please share them with me.