The AirBNB mark

If you are unaware, AirBNB launched a new mark. The idea behind it is that it creates a more recognizable brand and takes on a form that anyone can draw. The broad, artsy, rational being that those that rent their spaces out can be part of the "safety" that comes with the brand and those that occupy those spaces know they aren't staying in a hovel. Just watch this video to get the big pitch. It is, without question, a little bit too much in terms of being about the Belonging of Humanity but if you don't believe in your own brand to the highest degree, who will?

Of course, there is some controversy. It looks remarkably like this logo as well as some other things (NSFW on that one) but if you go through the DesignStudio deck, it's hard not to like it. Are you going to love it? Probably not but you can at least appreciate it for the improvement over the word mark and the mission statement they are striving for.

On the whole, I'm not sure I really understand the instant backlash of all things change. Isn't the Internet all about progress and moving forward and embracing new things? Seems like Having an Opinion and Being Right are no longer distinct headspaces.