Maybe I'm too tired to think hard, but I don't see any problem with having buddy lists. If you don't like the feature, just don't use it. Isn't one of the nice things about BYC sometimes saying, "golly, I wish we could...." and then it happens? I think I even remember seeing posts where members were asked what features they'd like to see added.
I don't use buddy lists because I'm not a big instant message or chat fan. My daughter, however, LOVES buddy lists. It appears that many of the young BYC users would like buddy lists. Just because this is a chicken forum doesn't mean people don't develop buddy relationships here!
I'm just not sure what the objections are. Yeah, there's another way (and I even use it, because I'm an old fuddy duddy and learned back in the day...), but there's also a FASTER more efficient way, and that's why some people want the buddy list feature.
ChickenBoyKurt, congratulations on your use of "therefore" in a sentence.