Let's ignore the obvious problem with facebook's business model. And also the massive, frequent, and pervasive invasions of privacy, even those that are not limited to intentional users, because we can network. Let's ignore the problems with algorithms choosing content that polarises opinions, feeds false information and intentionally misleads simply to keep people seeing what they like, to keep them logged in and earning facebook ad-revenue.
Let's ignore the issues because we can see photos of John's breakfast or Sarah's cat. Or we can all write about how we support a cause from the comfort of our homes.
Let's not bother to change the system of organisation as we watch it build-in censorship whilst also polarising further. It is time people stop ignoring the problems because they like some of the benefits. The thing must be measured as a whole and a giant surveillance network that only shows people what they want to see is not what I envisage when I imagine the future of communication.
Facebook strengthening its defences, the author's solution, addresses only one tiny facet of the issues with a business that is fundamentally built upon trading personal information and keeping readers hooked by showing them what they want to see. The argument that facebook is just a reflection of society misses the very point that it is one of the causes. It has driven polarisation, facilitated election meddling, relayed propaganda, invaded privacy, and created an intelligence dossier of the most unbelievable thoroughness upon every individual that has had contact with it or its tendrils.
It isn't part of a thriving network. It is strangling society and limiting discussion, all whilst behaving as a mass surveillance system and hostile intelligence agency. Perhaps we shouldn't just be cool with facebook because we can talk by typing and see pictures of sunsets.
1 comment
[ 3.0 ms ] story [ 14.2 ms ] threadLet's ignore the issues because we can see photos of John's breakfast or Sarah's cat. Or we can all write about how we support a cause from the comfort of our homes.
Let's not bother to change the system of organisation as we watch it build-in censorship whilst also polarising further. It is time people stop ignoring the problems because they like some of the benefits. The thing must be measured as a whole and a giant surveillance network that only shows people what they want to see is not what I envisage when I imagine the future of communication.
Facebook strengthening its defences, the author's solution, addresses only one tiny facet of the issues with a business that is fundamentally built upon trading personal information and keeping readers hooked by showing them what they want to see. The argument that facebook is just a reflection of society misses the very point that it is one of the causes. It has driven polarisation, facilitated election meddling, relayed propaganda, invaded privacy, and created an intelligence dossier of the most unbelievable thoroughness upon every individual that has had contact with it or its tendrils.
It isn't part of a thriving network. It is strangling society and limiting discussion, all whilst behaving as a mass surveillance system and hostile intelligence agency. Perhaps we shouldn't just be cool with facebook because we can talk by typing and see pictures of sunsets.
I won't trade privacy for quick messages.