Tag Clouds are the new Mullet

Zeldman lays it down again* plain and simple:

Like mood rings and fanny packs, like mullets and the Macarena, the weighted tag clouds meme popularized by Flickr and Technorati is about to cross a permanent cultural shame threshold. Brilliant as the idea remains, faddishness is choking its air supply. Damned clouds are everywhere.

Damned clouds indeed.

[some random blogger by the name of] Nicholasjon was an early adopter: in January 2005, tag clouds formed the focus of his blog’s fourth design. A scant three months later (16 April 2005), his blog’s fifth design runs from the clouds — a sign that the tag clouds train has left Rock City, heading for Assville.

… I may or may not have added that link myself.

We’ve been saying it for months now, but maybe it takes a second opinion to let you all know: tag clouds are hideous. They don’t even make sense unless the user knows what they are for. And who in the world cares if you posted more about autofellatio than circlejerk? Chances are no one is reading your blog anyway and your whole attempt at social acceptance is futile. Get rid of your ugly tag cloud and delete your blog while you are at it. Yes, I’m talking to you.

May you think of this image every time you see a tag cloud. Hey, I think the blond one likes you. Ask him out

* yes Zeldman, the same guy who wrote the best article ever.