Register with the US Embassy?

I was flipping through my passport the other day while bored at the airport and I noticed on page 4 under "While in the foreign country" it says:

1. Register with the Us Embassy: When traveling to remote or volatile areas, visiting a foreign country for a prolonged stay, or residing abroad - register with the US Embassy or consulate by telephone, fax, or in person.

I'll be in the UK for two months, do you think I need to do this?  What's the purpose and what does it entail for those of you who have done it?

I would register with the Embassy.  This is done just in case anything happens to you while you're here, they have a next of kin listed as well as a record of where you're staying...  Honestly, its up to you though.

Here's a link to the State Department Website if you want to have a look at it.  They'll also send you updates on anything that changes or any events / holidays.   

I guess I'm more concerned with the "big brother" aspect of it, know what I mean?

Been here 23 years and never registered! 
Saw no reason to do it.

I've seen no reason either.

I think this is more for people who are just visiting; if something happened to them, they would want someone in the States to be notified, or to possibly be transported back to the States.

If you are living permanently in the UK, you must have people in the UK who can be contacted, and presumably you have provisions for dealing with an illness/emergency in the UK.

I think it is less of an issue here in the UK. 

If you are living in, or travelling to, a dangerous country or region and something kicks off, it is easier for the Embassy to know where citizens are in case an emergency airlift is needed.

I see no need to register. 

I registered both when I was living in India and when I arrived in the UK.  I like how I get the embassy updates by email every so often.

I registered....and then I was at board control, the immigration officer saw the sheet with my files, asked why I reigstered, told him, and he rudely said "This isn't Saudi Arabia, you know...this is the U.K."

But if you feel more comfortable, register....and if you get the same guy as I did, just ignore him.  He's not a nice one.

Well, I've been here since Friday and haven't registered yet.  heh.

Customs was a breeze, btw.