That timestamp business ruined Facebook for me.

The problem is, I know that exactly when I've read something, the other person knows it, and so I have to respond not just to the communication, but to the fact that they are aware of what time I saw it. This complicates the whole thing -- why is it needed at all? It just puts us all into a hyper-aware style of dealing with each other. Maybe we need a little bit of time to get back to someone, but it puts us in the position of having to explain that in addition to whatever is actually being communicated about. Why don't they just force us to walk around with cameras on us all day, letting people know when we've gone to the loo, or whatever else we opted to do before we got back to the person.

That's probs next.

Where I work there is an option to use "return receipt", which has the same effect -- the person knows exactly when you read their email. The only people who use it are, coincidentally or not, the worst people to deal with, completely robotic and unforgiving; exhausting. We also have the option to refuse each return receipt requested, so that when we read an item they don't know. I use this regularly, because I refuse to have my every move clocked. I wish the same option was available on Facebook.