diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/app/app.js b/app/assets/javascripts/app/app.js
index a4027d1ae..b9f497686 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/app/app.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/app/app.js
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ var app = {
     });
 
     app.hovercard = new app.views.Hovercard();
+    app.aspectMemberships = new app.views.AspectMembership();
   },
 
   hasPreload : function(prop) {
diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/app/models/aspect_membership.js b/app/assets/javascripts/app/models/aspect_membership.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..73a213f45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/app/models/aspect_membership.js
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+/**
+ * this model represents the assignment of an aspect to a person.
+ * (only valid for the context of the current user)
+ */
+app.models.AspectMembership = Backbone.Model.extend({
+  urlRoot: "/aspect_memberships"
+});
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/aspect_membership_view.js b/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/aspect_membership_view.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..aea67f090
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/aspect_membership_view.js
@@ -0,0 +1,161 @@
+/**
+ * this view lets the user (de-)select aspect memberships in the context
+ * of another users profile or the contact page.
+ *
+ * updates to the list of aspects are immediately propagated to the server, and
+ * the results are dislpayed as flash messages.
+ */
+app.views.AspectMembership = Backbone.View.extend({
+
+  initialize: function() {
+    // attach event handler, removing any previous instances
+    var selector = '.dropdown.aspect_membership .dropdown_list > li';
+    $('body')
+      .off('click', selector)
+      .on('click', selector, _.bind(this._clickHandler, this));
+
+    this.list_item = null;
+    this.dropdown  = null;
+  },
+
+  // decide what to do when clicked
+  //   -> addMembership
+  //   -> removeMembership
+  _clickHandler: function(evt) {
+    this.list_item = $(evt.target);
+    this.dropdown  = this.list_item.parent();
+
+    this.list_item.addClass('loading');
+
+    if( this.list_item.is('.selected') ) {
+      var membership_id = this.list_item.data('membership_id');
+      this.removeMembership(membership_id);
+    } else {
+      var aspect_id = this.list_item.data('aspect_id');
+      var person_id = this.dropdown.data('person_id');
+      this.addMembership(person_id, aspect_id);
+    }
+
+    return false; // stop the event
+  },
+
+  // return the (short) name of the person associated with the current dropdown
+  _name: function() {
+    return this.dropdown.data('person-short-name');
+  },
+
+  // create a membership for the given person in the given aspect
+  addMembership: function(person_id, aspect_id) {
+    var aspect_membership = new app.models.AspectMembership({
+      'person_id': person_id,
+      'aspect_id': aspect_id
+    });
+
+    aspect_membership.on('sync', this._successSaveCb, this);
+    aspect_membership.on('error', function() {
+      this._displayError('aspect_dropdown.error');
+    }, this);
+
+    aspect_membership.save();
+  },
+
+  _successSaveCb: function(aspect_membership) {
+    var aspect_id = aspect_membership.get('aspect_id');
+    var membership_id = aspect_membership.get('id');
+    var li = this.dropdown.find('li[data-aspect_id="'+aspect_id+'"]');
+
+    // the user didn't have this person in any aspects before, congratulate them
+    // on their newly found friendship ;)
+    if( this.dropdown.find('li.selected').length == 0 ) {
+      var msg = Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.started_sharing_with', { 'name': this._name() });
+      Diaspora.page.flashMessages.render({ 'success':true, 'notice':msg });
+    }
+
+    li.attr('data-membership_id', membership_id) // just to be sure...
+      .data('membership_id', membership_id)
+      .addClass('selected');
+
+    this.updateSummary();
+    this._done();
+  },
+
+  // show an error flash msg
+  _displayError: function(msg_id) {
+    this._done();
+    this.dropdown.removeClass('active'); // close the dropdown
+
+    var msg = Diaspora.I18n.t(msg_id, { 'name': this._name() });
+    Diaspora.page.flashMessages.render({ 'success':false, 'notice':msg });
+  },
+
+  // remove the membership with the given id
+  removeMembership: function(membership_id) {
+    var aspect_membership = new app.models.AspectMembership({
+      'id': membership_id
+    });
+
+    aspect_membership.on('sync', this._successDestroyCb, this);
+    aspect_membership.on('error', function() {
+      this._displayError('aspect_dropdown.error_remove');
+    }, this);
+
+    aspect_membership.destroy();
+  },
+
+  _successDestroyCb: function(aspect_membership) {
+    var membership_id = aspect_membership.get('id');
+    var li = this.dropdown.find('li[data-membership_id="'+membership_id+'"]');
+
+    li.removeAttr('data-membership_id')
+      .removeData('membership_id')
+      .removeClass('selected');
+
+    // we just removed the last aspect, inform the user with a flash message
+    // that he is no longer sharing with that person
+    if( this.dropdown.find('li.selected').length == 0 ) {
+      var msg = Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.stopped_sharing_with', { 'name': this._name() });
+      Diaspora.page.flashMessages.render({ 'success':true, 'notice':msg });
+    }
+
+    this.updateSummary();
+    this._done();
+  },
+
+  // cleanup tasks after aspect selection
+  _done: function() {
+    if( this.list_item ) {
+      this.list_item.removeClass('loading');
+    }
+  },
+
+  // refresh the button text to reflect the current aspect selection status
+  updateSummary: function() {
+    var btn = this.dropdown.parents('div.aspect_membership').find('.button.toggle');
+    var aspects_cnt = this.dropdown.find('li.selected').length;
+    var txt;
+
+    if( aspects_cnt == 0 ) {
+      btn.removeClass('in_aspects');
+      txt = Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.toggle.zero');
+    } else {
+      btn.addClass('in_aspects');
+      txt = this._pluralSummaryTxt(aspects_cnt);
+    }
+
+    btn.text(txt + ' ▼');
+  },
+
+  _pluralSummaryTxt: function(cnt) {
+    var all_aspects_cnt = this.dropdown.find('li').length;
+
+    if( cnt == 1 ) {
+      return this.dropdown.find('li.selected').first().text();
+    }
+
+    if( cnt == all_aspects_cnt ) {
+      return Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.all_aspects');
+    }
+
+    return Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.toggle', { 'count':cnt.toString() });
+  }
+});
diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/aspects_dropdown_view.js b/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/aspects_dropdown_view.js
index 406532cfa..11e2a7d59 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/aspects_dropdown_view.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/aspects_dropdown_view.js
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+/**
+ * the aspects dropdown specifies the scope of a posted status message.
+ *
+ * this view is part of the publisher where users are presented the options
+ * 'public', 'all aspects' and a list of their personal aspects, for limiting
+ * 'the audience of created contents.
+ */
 app.views.AspectsDropdown = app.views.Base.extend({
   templateName : "aspects-dropdown",
   events : {
diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/aspect-edit-pane.js b/app/assets/javascripts/aspect-edit-pane.js
index b76f71a9c..26aa42a5d 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/aspect-edit-pane.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/aspect-edit-pane.js
@@ -27,3 +27,88 @@ $(document).ready(function() {
     toggleAspectTitle();
   });
 });
+
+
+/**
+ * TEMPORARY SOLUTION
+ * TODO remove me, when the contacts section is done with Backbone.js ...
+ * (this is about as much covered by tests as the old code ... not at all)
+ *
+ * see also 'contact-edit.js'
+ */
+
+app.tmp || (app.tmp = {});
+
+// on the contacts page, viewing the facebox for single aspect
+app.tmp.ContactAspectsBox = function() {
+  $('body').on('click', '#aspect_edit_pane a.add.button', _.bind(this.addToAspect, this));
+  $('body').on('click', '#aspect_edit_pane a.added.button', _.bind(this.removeFromAspect, this));
+};
+_.extend(app.tmp.ContactAspectsBox.prototype, {
+  addToAspect: function(evt) {
+    var el = $(evt.currentTarget);
+    var aspect_membership = new app.models.AspectMembership({
+      'person_id': el.data('person_id'),
+      'aspect_id': el.data('aspect_id')
+    });
+
+    aspect_membership.on('sync', this._successSaveCb, this);
+    aspect_membership.on('error', function() {
+      this._displayError('aspect_dropdown.error', el);
+    }, this);
+
+    aspect_membership.save();
+
+    return false;
+  },
+
+  _successSaveCb: function(aspect_membership) {
+    var membership_id = aspect_membership.get('id');
+    var person_id = aspect_membership.get('person_id');
+    var el = $('li.contact').find('a.add[data-person_id="'+person_id+'"]');
+
+    el.removeClass('add')
+      .addClass('added')
+      .attr('data-membership_id', membership_id) // just to be sure...
+      .data('membership_id', membership_id);
+  },
+
+  removeFromAspect: function(evt) {
+    var el = $(evt.currentTarget);
+
+    var aspect_membership = new app.models.AspectMembership({
+      'id': el.data('membership_id')
+    });
+    aspect_membership.on('sync', this._successDestroyCb, this);
+    aspect_membership.on('error', function(aspect_membership) {
+      this._displayError('aspect_dropdown.error_remove', el);
+    }, this);
+
+    aspect_membership.destroy();
+
+    return false;
+  },
+
+  _successDestroyCb: function(aspect_membership) {
+    var membership_id = aspect_membership.get('id');
+    var el = $('li.contact').find('a.added[data-membership_id="'+membership_id+'"]');
+
+    el.removeClass('added')
+      .addClass('add')
+      .removeAttr('data-membership_id')
+      .removeData('membership_id');
+  },
+
+  _displayError: function(msg_id, contact_el) {
+    var name = $('li.contact')
+                 .has(contact_el)
+                 .find('h4.name')
+                 .text();
+    var msg = Diaspora.I18n.t(msg_id, { 'name': name });
+    Diaspora.page.flashMessages.render({ 'success':false, 'notice':msg });
+  }
+});
+
+$(function() {
+  var contact_aspects_box = new app.tmp.ContactAspectsBox();
+});
diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/contact-edit.js b/app/assets/javascripts/contact-edit.js
index 0e00c1c08..82d9f5dc6 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/contact-edit.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/contact-edit.js
@@ -3,34 +3,6 @@
 //   the COPYRIGHT file.
 
 var ContactEdit = {
-  init: function(){
-    $.extend(ContactEdit, AspectsDropdown);
-    $('.dropdown.aspect_membership .dropdown_list > li, .dropdown.inviter .dropdown_list > li').live('click', function(evt){
-      ContactEdit.processClick($(this), evt);
-    });
-   },
-
-  updateNumber: function(dropdown, personId, number){
-    var button = dropdown.parents(".dropdown").children('.button.toggle'),
-        replacement;
-
-    if (number == 0) {
-      button.removeClass("in_aspects");
-      replacement = Diaspora.I18n.t("aspect_dropdown.toggle.zero");
-    }else if (number == 1) {
-      button.addClass("in_aspects");
-      replacement = dropdown.find(".selected").first().text();
-    }else if (number < 3) {
-      replacement = Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.toggle.few', { count: number.toString()})
-    }else if (number > 3) {
-      replacement = Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.toggle.many', { count: number.toString()})
-    }else {
-      //the above one are a tautology, but I want to have them here once for once we figure out a neat way i18n them
-      replacement = Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.toggle.other', { count: number.toString()})
-      ContactEdit.toggleAspectMembership(li, evt);
-    }
-  },
-
   inviteFriend: function(li, evt) {
     $.post('/services/inviter/facebook.json', {
       "aspect_id" : li.data("aspect_id"),
@@ -38,61 +10,66 @@ var ContactEdit = {
     }, function(data){
       ContactEdit.processSuccess(li, evt, data);
     });
-  },
-
-  processSuccess: function(element, evt, data) {
-    element.removeClass('loading')
-    if (data.url != undefined) {
-      window.location = data.url;
-    } else {
-      element.toggleClass("selected");
-      Diaspora.widgets.flashes.render({'success':true, 'notice':data.message});
-    }
-  },
-
-  processClick: function(li, evt){
-    var dropdown = li.closest('.dropdown');
-    li.addClass('loading');
-    if (dropdown.hasClass('inviter')) {
-      ContactEdit.inviteFriend(li, evt);
-      dropdown.html('sending, please wait...');
-    }
-    else {
-      ContactEdit.toggleAspectMembership(li, evt);
-    }
-  },
-
-  toggleAspectMembership: function(li, evt) {
-    var button = li.find('.button'),
-        dropdown = li.closest('.dropdown'),
-        dropdownList = li.parent('.dropdown_list');
-
-    if(button.hasClass('disabled') || li.hasClass('newItem')){ return; }
-
-    var selected = li.hasClass("selected"),
-        routedId = selected ? "/42" : "";
-
-    $.post("/aspect_memberships" + routedId + ".json", {
-      "aspect_id": li.data("aspect_id"),
-      "person_id": li.parent().data("person_id"),
-      "_method": (selected) ? "DELETE" : "POST"
-    }, function(aspectMembership) {
-      ContactEdit.toggleCheckbox(li);
-      ContactEdit.updateNumber(li.closest(".dropdown_list"), li.parent().data("person_id"), aspectMembership.aspect_ids.length, 'in_aspects');
-
-      Diaspora.page.publish("aspectDropdown/updated", [li.parent().data("person_id"), li.parents(".dropdown").parent(".right").html()]);
-    })
-      .error(function() {
-        var message = Diaspora.I18n.t("aspect_dropdown.error", {name: dropdownList.data('person-short-name')});
-        Diaspora.page.flashMessages.render({success: false, notice: message});
-        dropdown.removeClass('active');
-      })
-      .complete(function() {
-        li.removeClass("loading");
-      });
   }
 };
 
-$(document).ready(function(){
-  ContactEdit.init();
+/*
+  TODO remove me
+  ContactEdit.toggleCheckbox(li);
+  Diaspora.page.publish("aspectDropdown/updated", [li.parent().data("person_id"), li.parents(".dropdown").parent(".right").html()]);
+*/
+
+/**
+ * TEMPORARY SOLUTION
+ * TODO remove me, when the contacts section is done with Backbone.js ...
+ * (this is about as much covered by tests as the old code ... not at all)
+ *
+ * see also 'aspect-edit-pane.js'
+ */
+
+app.tmp || (app.tmp = {});
+
+// on the contacts page, viewing the list of people in a single aspect
+app.tmp.ContactAspects = function() {
+  $('#people_stream').on('click', '.contact_remove-from-aspect', _.bind(this.removeFromAspect, this));
+};
+_.extend(app.tmp.ContactAspects.prototype, {
+  removeFromAspect: function(evt) {
+    evt.stopImmediatePropagation();
+    evt.preventDefault();
+
+    var el = $(evt.currentTarget);
+    var id = el.data('membership_id');
+
+    var aspect_membership = new app.models.AspectMembership({'id':id});
+    aspect_membership.on('sync', this._successDestroyCb, this);
+    aspect_membership.on('error', function(aspect_membership) {
+      this._displayError('aspect_dropdown.error_remove', aspect_membership.get('id'));
+    }, this);
+
+    aspect_membership.destroy();
+
+    return false;
+  },
+
+  _successDestroyCb: function(aspect_membership) {
+    var membership_id = aspect_membership.get('id');
+
+    $('.stream_element').has('[data-membership_id="'+membership_id+'"]')
+      .fadeOut(300, function() { $(this).remove() });
+  },
+
+  _displayError: function(msg_id, membership_id) {
+    var name = $('.stream_element')
+      .has('[data-membership_id="'+membership_id+'"]')
+      .find('div.bd > a')
+      .text();
+    var msg = Diaspora.I18n.t(msg_id, { 'name': name });
+    Diaspora.page.flashMessages.render({ 'success':false, 'notice':msg });
+  }
+});
+
+
+$(function() {
+  var contact_aspects = new app.tmp.ContactAspects();
 });
diff --git a/app/controllers/aspect_memberships_controller.rb b/app/controllers/aspect_memberships_controller.rb
index 118ec33af..2fd459828 100644
--- a/app/controllers/aspect_memberships_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/aspect_memberships_controller.rb
@@ -6,49 +6,62 @@
 class AspectMembershipsController < ApplicationController
   before_filter :authenticate_user!
 
-  respond_to :html, :json, :js
+  respond_to :html, :json
 
   def destroy
-    #note :id is garbage
+    aspect = current_user.aspects.joins(:aspect_memberships).where(:aspect_memberships=>{:id=>params[:id]}).first
+    contact = current_user.contacts.joins(:aspect_memberships).where(:aspect_memberships=>{:id=>params[:id]}).first
 
-    @person_id = params[:person_id]
-    @aspect_id = params[:aspect_id]
+    raise ActiveRecord::RecordNotFound unless aspect.present? && contact.present?
 
-    @contact = current_user.contact_for(Person.where(:id => @person_id).first)
-    membership = @contact ? @contact.aspect_memberships.where(:aspect_id => @aspect_id).first : nil
+    raise Diaspora::NotMine unless current_user.mine?(aspect) &&
+                                   current_user.mine?(contact)
 
-    if membership && membership.destroy
-        @aspect = membership.aspect
-        flash.now[:notice] = I18n.t 'aspect_memberships.destroy.success'
+    membership = contact.aspect_memberships.where(:aspect_id => aspect.id).first
 
-        respond_with do |format|
-          format.json{ render :json => {
-            :person_id => @person_id,
-            :aspect_ids => @contact.aspects.map{|a| a.id}
-          } }
-          format.html{ redirect_to :back }
-        end
+    raise ActiveRecord::RecordNotFound unless membership.present?
 
-      else
-        flash.now[:error] = I18n.t 'aspect_memberships.destroy.failure'
-        errors = membership ? membership.errors.full_messages : t('aspect_memberships.destroy.no_membership')
-        respond_to do |format|
-          format.js  { render :text => errors, :status => 403 }
-          format.html{
-            redirect_to :back
+    # do it!
+    success = membership.destroy
+
+    # set the flash message
+    if success
+      flash.now[:notice] = I18n.t 'aspect_memberships.destroy.success'
+    else
+      flash.now[:error] = I18n.t 'aspect_memberships.destroy.failure'
+    end
+
+    respond_with do |format|
+      format.json do
+        if success
+          render :json => {
+            :person_id  => contact.person_id,
+            :aspect_ids => contact.aspects.map{|a| a.id}
           }
+        else
+          render :text => membership.errors.full_messages, :status => 403
+        end
       end
+
+      format.all { redirect_to :back }
     end
   end
 
   def create
     @person = Person.find(params[:person_id])
     @aspect = current_user.aspects.where(:id => params[:aspect_id]).first
+
     @contact = current_user.share_with(@person, @aspect)
 
-    if @contact
+    if @contact.present?
       flash.now[:notice] =  I18n.t('aspects.add_to_aspect.success')
-      respond_with AspectMembership.where(:contact_id => @contact.id, :aspect_id => @aspect.id).first
+      respond_with do |format|
+        format.json do
+          render :json => AspectMembership.where(:contact_id => @contact.id, :aspect_id => @aspect.id).first.to_json
+        end
+
+        format.all { redirect_to :back }
+      end
     else
       flash.now[:error] = I18n.t('contacts.create.failure')
       render :nothing => true, :status => 409
@@ -58,4 +71,13 @@ class AspectMembershipsController < ApplicationController
   rescue_from ActiveRecord::StatementInvalid do
     render :text => "Duplicate record rejected.", :status => 400
   end
+
+  rescue_from ActiveRecord::RecordNotFound do
+    render :text => I18n.t('aspect_memberships.destroy.no_membership'), :status => 404
+  end
+
+  rescue_from Diaspora::NotMine do
+    render :text => "You are not allowed to do that.", :status => 403
+  end
+
 end
diff --git a/app/controllers/people_controller.rb b/app/controllers/people_controller.rb
index 486ff56a5..a7ea9541d 100644
--- a/app/controllers/people_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/people_controller.rb
@@ -163,14 +163,16 @@ class PeopleController < ApplicationController
     end
   end
 
+  # shows the dropdown list of aspects the current user has set for the given person.
+  # renders "thats you" in case the current user views himself
   def aspect_membership_dropdown
     @person = Person.find_by_guid(params[:person_id])
-    if @person == current_user.person
-      render :text => I18n.t('people.person.thats_you')
-    else
-      @contact = current_user.contact_for(@person) || Contact.new
-      render :partial => 'aspect_membership_dropdown', :locals => {:contact => @contact, :person => @person, :hang => 'left'}
-    end
+
+    # you are not a contact of yourself...
+    return render :text => I18n.t('people.person.thats_you') if @person == current_user.person
+
+    @contact = current_user.contact_for(@person) || Contact.new
+    render :partial => 'aspect_membership_dropdown', :locals => {:contact => @contact, :person => @person, :hang => 'left'}
   end
 
   def redirect_if_tag_search
diff --git a/app/helpers/aspect_global_helper.rb b/app/helpers/aspect_global_helper.rb
index 0e6cdd5fb..501cfab1a 100644
--- a/app/helpers/aspect_global_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/aspect_global_helper.rb
@@ -4,20 +4,27 @@
 
 module AspectGlobalHelper
   def aspect_membership_dropdown(contact, person, hang, aspect=nil)
+    aspect_membership_ids = {}
+
     selected_aspects = all_aspects.select{|aspect| contact.in_aspect?(aspect)}
+    selected_aspects.each do |a|
+      record = a.aspect_memberships.find { |am| am.contact_id == contact.id }
+      aspect_membership_ids[a.id] = record.id
+    end
 
     render "shared/aspect_dropdown",
       :selected_aspects => selected_aspects,
+      :aspect_membership_ids => aspect_membership_ids,
       :person => person,
       :hang => hang,
       :dropdown_class => "aspect_membership"
   end
 
-  def aspect_dropdown_list_item(aspect, checked)
-    klass = checked ? "selected" : ""
+  def aspect_dropdown_list_item(aspect, am_id=nil)
+    klass = am_id.present? ? "selected" : ""
 
     str = <<LISTITEM
-<li data-aspect_id=#{aspect.id} class='#{klass} aspect_selector'>
+<li data-aspect_id="#{aspect.id}" data-membership_id="#{am_id}" class="#{klass} aspect_selector">
   #{aspect.name}
 </li>
 LISTITEM
diff --git a/app/helpers/aspects_helper.rb b/app/helpers/aspects_helper.rb
index 3beca488b..77fb5a55d 100644
--- a/app/helpers/aspects_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/aspects_helper.rb
@@ -5,38 +5,39 @@
 module AspectsHelper
   def add_to_aspect_button(aspect_id, person_id)
     link_to image_tag('icons/monotone_plus_add_round.png'),
-      {:controller => 'aspect_memberships',
+      { :controller => 'aspect_memberships',
         :action => 'create',
+        :format => :json,
         :aspect_id => aspect_id,
-        :person_id => person_id},
-      :remote => true,
+        :person_id => person_id
+      },
       :method => 'post',
       :class => 'add button',
       'data-aspect_id' => aspect_id,
       'data-person_id' => person_id
   end
 
-  def remove_from_aspect_button(aspect_id, person_id)
+  def remove_from_aspect_button(membership_id, aspect_id, person_id)
     link_to image_tag('icons/monotone_check_yes.png'),
-      {:controller => "aspect_memberships",
+      { :controller => "aspect_memberships",
         :action => 'destroy',
-        :id => 42,
-        :aspect_id => aspect_id,
-        :person_id => person_id},
-      :remote => true,
+        :id => membership_id
+      },
       :method => 'delete',
       :class => 'added button',
+      'data-membership_id' => membership_id,
       'data-aspect_id' => aspect_id,
       'data-person_id' => person_id
   end
 
   def aspect_membership_button(aspect, contact, person)
     return if person && person.closed_account?
-    
-    if contact.nil? || !contact.aspect_memberships.detect{ |am| am.aspect_id == aspect.id}
+
+    membership = contact.aspect_memberships.where(:aspect_id => aspect.id).first
+    if contact.nil? || membership.nil?
       add_to_aspect_button(aspect.id, person.id)
     else
-      remove_from_aspect_button(aspect.id, person.id)
+      remove_from_aspect_button(membership.id, aspect.id, person.id)
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/app/helpers/contacts_helper.rb b/app/helpers/contacts_helper.rb
index 68ac4ac32..07a0df90e 100644
--- a/app/helpers/contacts_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/contacts_helper.rb
@@ -1,20 +1,24 @@
 module ContactsHelper
   def contact_aspect_dropdown(contact)
-    if @aspect
+    membership = contact.aspect_memberships.where(:aspect_id => @aspect.id).first unless @aspect.nil?
+
+    if membership
       link_to(image_tag('icons/monotone_close_exit_delete.png', :height => 20, :width => 20),
-      {:controller => "aspect_memberships",
-        :action => 'destroy',
-         :id => 42,
-         :aspect_id => @aspect.id,
-         :person_id => contact.person_id
+        { :controller => "aspect_memberships",
+          :action => 'destroy',
+          :id => membership.id
         },
         :title => t('contacts.index.remove_person_from_aspect', :person_name => contact.person_first_name, :aspect_name => @aspect.name),
-            :method => 'delete')
+        :class => 'contact_remove-from-aspect',
+        :method => 'delete',
+        'data-membership_id' => membership.id
+      )
 
     else
       render :partial => 'people/relationship_action',
-              :locals => { :person => contact.person, :contact => contact,
-                            :current_user => current_user }
+              :locals => { :person => contact.person,
+                           :contact => contact,
+                           :current_user => current_user }
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/app/models/aspect_membership.rb b/app/models/aspect_membership.rb
index ebd3756ab..8155c241f 100644
--- a/app/models/aspect_membership.rb
+++ b/app/models/aspect_membership.rb
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@ class AspectMembership < ActiveRecord::Base
   def as_json(opts={})
     {
       :id => self.id,
-      :person_id => self.person.id,
+      :person_id  => self.person.id,
       :contact_id => self.contact.id,
+      :aspect_id  => self.aspect_id,
       :aspect_ids => self.contact.aspects.map{|a| a.id}
     }
   end
diff --git a/app/models/user.rb b/app/models/user.rb
index ad4cf3ad4..105b9806f 100644
--- a/app/models/user.rb
+++ b/app/models/user.rb
@@ -406,6 +406,15 @@ class User < ActiveRecord::Base
     Role.is_admin?(self.person)
   end
 
+  def mine?(target)
+    if target.present? && target.respond_to?(:user_id)
+      return self.id == target.user_id
+    end
+
+    false
+  end
+
+
   def guard_unconfirmed_email
     self.unconfirmed_email = nil if unconfirmed_email.blank? || unconfirmed_email == email
 
diff --git a/app/views/aspect_memberships/create.js.erb b/app/views/aspect_memberships/create.js.erb
index f1165c0dd..69abb4b4b 100644
--- a/app/views/aspect_memberships/create.js.erb
+++ b/app/views/aspect_memberships/create.js.erb
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 //   licensed under the Affero General Public License version 3 or later.  See
 //   the COPYRIGHT file.
 
+// TODO handle this completely in Backbone.js, then remove this view!
+
 var element = $(".add[data-aspect_id=<%= @aspect.id %>][data-person_id=<%= @contact.person_id%>]");
 
 if( $("#no_contacts").is(':visible') ) {
diff --git a/app/views/aspect_memberships/destroy.js.erb b/app/views/aspect_memberships/destroy.js.erb
index 5093635f2..8c7eb4106 100644
--- a/app/views/aspect_memberships/destroy.js.erb
+++ b/app/views/aspect_memberships/destroy.js.erb
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 //   licensed under the Affero General Public License version 3 or later.  See
 //   the COPYRIGHT file.
 
+// TODO handle this completely in Backbone.js, then remove this view!
+
 var element = $(".added[data-aspect_id=<%= @aspect.id %>][data-person_id=<%= @contact.person_id%>]");
 element.parent().html("<%= escape_javascript(render('aspect_memberships/remove_from_aspect', :aspect => @aspect, :person => @contact.person, :contact => @contact)) %>");
 element.fadeTo(200,1);
diff --git a/app/views/aspects/create.js.erb b/app/views/aspects/create.js.erb
index 08e88088c..71976d074 100644
--- a/app/views/aspects/create.js.erb
+++ b/app/views/aspects/create.js.erb
@@ -2,10 +2,16 @@
 //   licensed under the Affero General Public License version 3 or later.  See
 //   the COPYRIGHT file.
 
-var dropdown = $("ul.dropdown_list[data-person_id=<%= @person.id %>]")
-$('.newItem', dropdown).before("<%= escape_javascript( aspect_dropdown_list_item(@aspect, @contact.aspects.include?(@aspect))) %>");
+// TODO create the aspect and the new aspect membership via Backbone.js and then
+// remove this view!
 
-ContactEdit.updateNumber(dropdown, "<%= @person.id %>", <%= @contact.aspects.size %>);
-$.facebox.close();
-$('#profile .dropdown').toggleClass("active");
+if( app.aspectMemberships ) {
+  var dropdown = $("ul.dropdown_list[data-person_id=<%= @person.id %>]");
+  $('.newItem', dropdown).before("<%= escape_javascript( aspect_dropdown_list_item(@aspect, @contact.aspects.include?(@aspect))) %>");
 
+  app.aspectMemberships.dropdown = dropdown;
+  app.aspectMemberships.updateSummary();
+
+  $.facebox.close();
+  $('#profile .dropdown').toggleClass("active");
+}
diff --git a/app/views/shared/_aspect_dropdown.html.haml b/app/views/shared/_aspect_dropdown.html.haml
index 1f278cdd6..baae64f8c 100644
--- a/app/views/shared/_aspect_dropdown.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/shared/_aspect_dropdown.html.haml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
   .wrapper
     %ul.dropdown_list{:unSelectable => 'on', 'data-person_id' => (person.id if defined?(person) && person), 'data-service_uid' => (service_uid if defined?(service_uid)), 'data-person-short-name' => (person.first_name if defined?(person) && person)}
       - for aspect in all_aspects
-        = aspect_dropdown_list_item(aspect, selected_aspects.include?(aspect) )
+        = aspect_dropdown_list_item(aspect, aspect_membership_ids[aspect.id] )
 
       - if (dropdown_may_create_new_aspect && defined?(person) && person)
         %li.newItem
diff --git a/config/locales/javascript/javascript.en.yml b/config/locales/javascript/javascript.en.yml
index 83e95433e..0adf06432 100644
--- a/config/locales/javascript/javascript.en.yml
+++ b/config/locales/javascript/javascript.en.yml
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ en:
       stopped_sharing_with: "You have stopped sharing with <%= name %>."
       started_sharing_with: "You have started sharing with <%= name %>!"
       error: "Couldn't start sharing with <%= name %>.  Are you ignoring them?"
+      error_remove: "Couldn't remove <%= name %> from the aspect :("
       toggle:
         zero: "Select aspects"
         one: "In <%= count %> aspect"
diff --git a/lib/exceptions.rb b/lib/exceptions.rb
index 5b1d92f19..79b5283bb 100644
--- a/lib/exceptions.rb
+++ b/lib/exceptions.rb
@@ -11,4 +11,10 @@ module Diaspora
   # to continue
   class AccountClosed < StandardError
   end
+
+  # something that should be accessed does not belong to the current user and
+  # that prevents further execution
+  class NotMine < StandardError
+  end
+  
 end
diff --git a/spec/controllers/aspect_memberships_controller_spec.rb b/spec/controllers/aspect_memberships_controller_spec.rb
index 8e7192704..a3d4666c1 100644
--- a/spec/controllers/aspect_memberships_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/controllers/aspect_memberships_controller_spec.rb
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ describe AspectMembershipsController do
 
     it 'succeeds' do
       post :create,
-        :format => 'js',
+        :format => :json,
         :person_id => bob.person.id,
         :aspect_id => @aspect1.id
       response.should be_success
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ describe AspectMembershipsController do
     it 'creates an aspect membership' do
       lambda {
         post :create,
-          :format => 'js',
+          :format => :json,
           :person_id => bob.person.id,
           :aspect_id => @aspect1.id
       }.should change{
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ describe AspectMembershipsController do
       alice.contacts.reload
       lambda {
         post :create,
-          :format => 'js',
+          :format => :json,
           :person_id => @person.id,
           :aspect_id => @aspect0.id
       }.should change{
@@ -58,14 +58,14 @@ describe AspectMembershipsController do
     it 'failure flashes error' do
       alice.should_receive(:share_with).and_return(nil)
       post :create,
-        :format => 'js',
+        :format => :json,
         :person_id => @person.id,
         :aspect_id => @aspect0.id
       flash[:error].should_not be_blank
     end
 
     it 'does not 500 on a duplicate key error' do
-      params = {:format => 'js', :person_id => @person.id, :aspect_id => @aspect0.id}
+      params = {:format => :json, :person_id => @person.id, :aspect_id => @aspect0.id}
       post :create, params
       post :create, params
       response.status.should == 400
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ describe AspectMembershipsController do
     context 'json' do
       it 'returns a list of aspect ids for the person' do
         post :create,
-        :format => 'json',
+        :format => :json,
         :person_id => @person.id,
         :aspect_id => @aspect0.id
 
@@ -86,44 +86,25 @@ describe AspectMembershipsController do
 
   describe "#destroy" do
     it 'removes contacts from an aspect' do
-      alice.add_contact_to_aspect(@contact, @aspect1)
-      delete :destroy,
-        :format => 'js', :id => 123,
-        :person_id => bob.person.id,
-        :aspect_id => @aspect0.id
+      membership = alice.add_contact_to_aspect(@contact, @aspect1)
+      delete :destroy, :format => :json, :id => membership.id
       response.should be_success
-      @aspect0.reload
-      @aspect0.contacts.include?(@contact).should be false
+      @aspect1.reload
+      @aspect1.contacts.include?(@contact).should be false
     end
+
     it 'does not 500 on an html request' do
-      alice.add_contact_to_aspect(@contact, @aspect1)
-      delete :destroy,
-        :id => 123,
-        :person_id => bob.person.id,
-        :aspect_id => @aspect0.id
+      membership = alice.add_contact_to_aspect(@contact, @aspect1)
+      delete :destroy, :id => membership.id
       response.should redirect_to :back
-      @aspect0.reload
-      @aspect0.contacts.include?(@contact).should be false
+      @aspect1.reload
+      @aspect1.contacts.include?(@contact).should be false
     end
 
-    context 'aspect membership does not exist' do
-      it 'person does not exist' do
-        delete :destroy,
-          :format => 'js', :id => 123,
-          :person_id => 4324525,
-          :id => @aspect0.id
-        response.should_not be_success
-        response.body.should include "Could not find the selected person in that aspect"
-      end
-
-      it 'contact is not in the aspect' do
-        delete :destroy,
-          :format => 'js', :id => 123,
-          :person_id => bob.person.id,
-          :aspect_id => 2321
-        response.should_not be_success
-        response.body.should include "Could not find the selected person in that aspect"
-      end
+    it 'aspect membership does not exist' do
+      delete :destroy, :format => :json, :id => 123
+      response.should_not be_success
+      response.body.should include "Could not find the selected person in that aspect"
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/javascripts/app/views/aspect_membership_view_spec.js b/spec/javascripts/app/views/aspect_membership_view_spec.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a0ee61128
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/javascripts/app/views/aspect_membership_view_spec.js
@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+
+describe("app.views.AspectMembership", function(){
+  beforeEach(function() {
+    // mock a dummy aspect dropdown
+    this.person = factory.author({name: "My Name"});
+    spec.content().html(
+      '<div class="aspect_membership dropdown">'+
+      '  <div class="button toggle">The Button</div>'+
+      '  <ul class="dropdown_list" data-person-short-name="'+this.person.name+'" data-person_id="'+this.person.id+'">'+
+      '    <li data-aspect_id="10">Aspect 10</li>'+
+      '    <li data-membership_id="99" data-aspect_id="11" class="selected">Aspect 11</li>'+
+      '    <li data-aspect_id="12">Aspect 12</li>'+
+      '  </ul>'+
+      '</div>'
+    );
+
+    this.view = new app.views.AspectMembership();
+  });
+
+  it('attaches to the aspect selector', function(){
+    spyOn($.fn, 'on');
+    view = new app.views.AspectMembership();
+
+    expect($.fn.on).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  context('adding to aspects', function() {
+    beforeEach(function() {
+      this.newAspect = spec.content().find('li:eq(0)');
+      this.newAspectId = 10;
+    });
+
+    it('calls "addMembership"', function() {
+       spyOn(this.view, "addMembership");
+       this.newAspect.trigger('click');
+
+       expect(this.view.addMembership).toHaveBeenCalledWith(this.person.id, this.newAspectId);
+    });
+
+    it('tries to create a new AspectMembership', function() {
+      spyOn(app.models.AspectMembership.prototype, "save");
+      this.view.addMembership(1, 2);
+
+      expect(app.models.AspectMembership.prototype.save).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it('displays an error when it fails', function() {
+      spyOn(this.view, "_displayError");
+      spyOn(app.models.AspectMembership.prototype, "save").andCallFake(function() {
+        this.trigger('error');
+      });
+
+      this.view.addMembership(1, 2);
+
+      expect(this.view._displayError).toHaveBeenCalledWith('aspect_dropdown.error');
+    });
+  });
+
+  context('removing from aspects', function(){
+    beforeEach(function() {
+      this.oldAspect = spec.content().find('li:eq(1)');
+      this.oldMembershipId = 99;
+    });
+
+    it('calls "removeMembership"', function(){
+      spyOn(this.view, "removeMembership");
+      this.oldAspect.trigger('click');
+
+      expect(this.view.removeMembership).toHaveBeenCalledWith(this.oldMembershipId);
+    });
+
+    it('tries to destroy an AspectMembership', function() {
+      spyOn(app.models.AspectMembership.prototype, "destroy");
+      this.view.removeMembership(1);
+
+      expect(app.models.AspectMembership.prototype.destroy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it('displays an error when it fails', function() {
+      spyOn(this.view, "_displayError");
+      spyOn(app.models.AspectMembership.prototype, "destroy").andCallFake(function() {
+        this.trigger('error');
+      });
+
+      this.view.removeMembership(1);
+
+      expect(this.view._displayError).toHaveBeenCalledWith('aspect_dropdown.error_remove');
+    });
+  });
+
+  context('summary text in the button', function() {
+    beforeEach(function() {
+      this.btn = spec.content().find('div.button.toggle');
+      this.btn.text(""); // reset
+      this.view.dropdown = spec.content().find('ul.dropdown_list');
+    });
+
+    it('shows "no aspects" when nothing is selected', function() {
+      spec.content().find('li[data-aspect_id]').removeClass('selected');
+      this.view.updateSummary();
+
+      expect(this.btn.text()).toContain(Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.toggle.zero'));
+    });
+
+    it('shows "all aspects" when everything is selected', function() {
+      spec.content().find('li[data-aspect_id]').addClass('selected');
+      this.view.updateSummary();
+
+      expect(this.btn.text()).toContain(Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.all_aspects'));
+    });
+
+    it('shows the name of the selected aspect ( == 1 )', function() {
+      var list = spec.content().find('li[data-aspect_id]');
+      list.removeClass('selected'); // reset
+      list.eq(1).addClass('selected');
+      this.view.updateSummary();
+
+      expect(this.btn.text()).toContain(list.eq(1).text());
+    });
+
+    it('shows the number of selected aspects ( > 1)', function() {
+      var list = spec.content().find('li[data-aspect_id]');
+      list.removeClass('selected'); // reset
+      $([list.eq(1), list.eq(2)]).addClass('selected');
+      this.view.updateSummary();
+
+      expect(this.btn.text()).toContain(Diaspora.I18n.t('aspect_dropdown.toggle', { 'count':2 }));
+    });
+  });
+});