Why is having a Facebook account becoming "required" so often?

[Kunu Chuck]

I refuse to get a Facebook account (privacy issues and if I want to check on a friend, I'll call them), but now I notice more and more sites I USED to visit require or at least try to push me to sign in with Facebook (or sometimes Twitter). And there's often no other option. This is worse than a monopoly--it's a dictatorship! I can live w/o these sites, but where will it end? Is everyone that bound by this site or what? Anyone know a way AROUND IT?
lovelife- Good idea but Already tried that after reading an article by some Harvard prof (in Computerworld) who had to do it for an article. Like him, the only thing "real" abt. my account was my IP (I realized) as my new page was FLOODED by dozens of potential "friends" (mostly my son's girlfriend's family!), only 2 of whom I knew, and relatives of mine whom I had no desire to "Friend". I freaked out and deleted the acct. and even THAT took a few days (or even a week!). It's insidious!