I don't see what all the fuss is about. I hadn't even noticed it until it was pointed out. It is incredibly easy to ignore. Not like pop up notifications or email alerts.
If you don't like it, ignore it
you cant ignore it as someone may of sent you a PM which shows up as a Notification, we need a TURN OFF OPTION so those of us who dont care about this new fandagled iApple lovefest dont have to deal with its nonsense!