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Former Facebook exec says social media is ripping apart society
The Verge ^ | 12/11/17 | James Vincent

Posted on 12/11/2017 11:08:57 AM PST by x1stcav

Another former Facebook executive has spoken out about the harm the social network is doing to civil society around the world. Chamath Palihapitiya, who joined Facebook in 2007 and became its vice president for user growth, said he feels “tremendous guilt” about the company he helped make. “I think we have created tools that are ripping apart the social fabric of how society works,” he told an audience at Stanford Graduate School of Business, before recommending people take a “hard break” from social media.

Palihapitiya’s criticisms were aimed not only at Facebook, but the wider online ecosystem. “The short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops we’ve created are destroying how society works,” he said, referring to online interactions driven by “hearts, likes, thumbs-up.” “No civil discourse, no cooperation; misinformation, mistruth. And it’s not an American problem — this is not about Russians ads. This is a global problem.”

He went on to describe an incident in India where hoax messages about kidnappings shared on WhatsApp led to the lynching of seven innocent people. “That’s what we’re dealing with,” said Palihapitiya. “And imagine taking that to the extreme, where bad actors can now manipulate large swathes of people to do anything you want. It’s just a really, really bad state of affairs.” He says he tries to use Facebook as little as possible, and that his children “aren’t allowed to use that shit.” He later adds, though, that he believes the company “overwhelmingly does good in the world.”

(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: culturewars; facebook; media; social; socialmedia; trends
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To: x1stcav

Great article! I can’t wait to post it on Facebook!


41 posted on 12/11/2017 2:03:53 PM PST by Garth Tater (Gone Galt and I ain't coming back.)
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To: Crolis

I deleted all my postings. Discussions favor the lowest denominator. Say hello, but do not hang around.

Facebookers are at the beginner’s level. Do not waste your time teaching those people too lazy to research their own ideas.


42 posted on 12/11/2017 2:04:48 PM PST by TheNext (DACA is INVASION!)
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To: Mears
Well now I understand where you're coming from, I'm young compared to you. :-) No offense intended of course.

You have more experience with bad than I do (WWII, etc..)

43 posted on 12/11/2017 2:06:37 PM PST by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: Garth Tater

I just did-—there is a Facebook link at the article.


44 posted on 12/11/2017 2:07:24 PM PST by Mears
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To: usconservative

No offense taken -—I have 5 kids roughly your age.

FYI——in the early 50s people thought that TV was the end of life as we knew it.

No one sat out on their porches and chatted on warm evenings-—they stayed in and watched TV.

Movie attendance dropped-——TV ruled.

I was young,I loved it,the older people were concerned that we were becoming more isolated.

We will survive social media.

.


45 posted on 12/11/2017 2:15:16 PM PST by Mears
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To: Mears
I'm sure you're right "we will survive social media" .... it's just what will "survival" look like?

You know, it's that damn' rock and roll that started social decline in this country isn't it? Elvis' fault!

46 posted on 12/11/2017 2:17:06 PM PST by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: usconservative

“Elvis’ fault! “

Don’t be cruel!!!!

.


47 posted on 12/11/2017 2:22:18 PM PST by Mears
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To: Mears

It is a fad and the next cool thing is not being on social media.


48 posted on 12/11/2017 3:54:05 PM PST by cp124 (FUGOPe)
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To: x1stcav

Facebook for social dopamine junkies as if “like” and positive responses spell more than mere like; that are translated as “see, what I said/posted was ‘truth’ “. And yes the vast majority of facebook folks have zero interest in dialogue. If you are not providing confirmation to a poster you’re suppose to just be silent; don’t deny their dopamine and push up there adrenaline.


49 posted on 12/11/2017 4:47:52 PM PST by Wuli
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To: x1stcav

Yep, this is the effect of new technology in its infancy. Welcome to the new digital individualism. All attempts at channeling the FREE Internet towards political agendas will be laughable. Prepare to be pummeled by points of view that are not your own, LOL!


50 posted on 12/11/2017 4:53:26 PM PST by Yollopoliuhqui
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To: Tax-chick

“”internet kill switch,””

I used to pull the router cable all the time when Jr. was in high school when I needed to get his attention.


51 posted on 12/11/2017 5:00:49 PM PST by Rebelbase (The urge to save humanity is almost always only a false-face for the urge to rule it.-- H.L. Mencken)
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To: Rebelbase

I have done that, but it’s sort of like using a sledgehammer when the situation just needs a little nudge.


52 posted on 12/11/2017 6:13:50 PM PST by Tax-chick ("ItÂ’s not like a productive member of society would have been lost." ~ PAR35)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Well said! FR is my internet social media fix!

Some, to take or to leave but most are kindred spirits.

AMEN.


53 posted on 12/11/2017 6:34:37 PM PST by BatGuano (You don't think I'd go into combat with loose change in my pocket, do ya?)
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To: blackdog

Facebook resembles a middle school slam book at times.


54 posted on 12/12/2017 1:14:09 PM PST by SaraJohnson ( Whites must sue for racism. It's pay day.)
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To: Slyfox

Great advice for parents.


55 posted on 12/12/2017 1:15:09 PM PST by SaraJohnson ( Whites must sue for racism. It's pay day.)
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