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I know they get kudos for their focus on user customization, but I say it was just laziness, not thoughtful design that allowed users to do what they want with their site.  Since customization was, basically, what made MySpace really popular with youth/spammers, we can take the laziness of the creators for it's early success. 

For instance, if they wanted their users to really customize their profiles they'd have made it more user friendly.  C'mon, no way was it their original plan to allow for this customization or they'd not have made you insert the HTML/CSS in your About Me profile edit box. 

And, they'd have locked down the i-frame features that allow for your removal of their ads.  Of course, they threaten to remove profiles that do this, but I see them now and then and I know MySpace doesn't really have any policing feature for these TOS violations.

By being lazy and allowing users the freedom to experiment and hack at your site, MySpace has the lead to lose.  Digg could take a few cues from them right now...

Robyn at Digg, Robyn at MySpace