General / Off-Topic Social media a threat to civilization - from Facebook's ex-leaders

Para Handy

Para Handy
Couple of stories about ex-Facebook executives' fears over the effects that social media has on society:


"Chamath Palihapitiya, former vice-president of user growth, expressed regret for his part in building tools that destroy ‘the social fabric of how society works’ "

“I can’t control them,” Palihapitaya said of his former employer. “I can control my decision, which is that I don’t use that . I can control my kids’ decisions, which is that they’re not allowed to use that .”

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/dec/11/facebook-former-executive-ripping-society-apart


and also:

"Ex-Facebook president Sean Parker: site made to exploit human 'vulnerability'
Site’s founding president, who became a billionaire thanks to the company, says: ‘God only knows what it’s doing to our children’s brains’

Facebook’s founders knew they were creating something addictive that exploited “a vulnerability in human psychology” from the outset, according to the company’s founding president Sean Parker."

“Your behaviours, you don’t realize it, but you are being programmed, ...” (... note: I had to correct the spelling of behaviours, my OCD wouldn't let it go even in a quote. sorry)

https://www.theguardian.com/technol...ok-sean-parker-vulnerability-brain-psychology



(I already eschew social media for these reasons.)
 
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Chris Simon

Chris Simon
Social media are great way to keep touch with people you know IRL.
But yes, if they replace REAL social life (especially with children and young people) it's not only sad, but really dangerous for one's psyche and personality development.
 

Robin of Spiritwood

Robin of Spiritwood
CiviLization. (in the title)

And rep for a thoughtful post.
Humanity's interpersonal relations are now irrevocably altered. This is a shift as big as losing the darkness of the night when the world was electrified, something from my father's past.

We have not had time to evolve to adapt to either change, and the mismatch between organism and environment is growing large enough to cause catastrophic events, like suicides on a personal scale, or the corrosion of Democracy on a societal scale.
 

Iskariot

Iskariot
Para Handy said:
Couple of stories about ex-Facebook executives' fears over the effects that social media has on society:


"Chamath Palihapitiya, former vice-president of user growth, expressed regret for his part in building tools that destroy ‘the social fabric of how society works’ "

“I can’t control them,” Palihapitaya said of his former employer. “I can control my decision, which is that I don’t use that . I can control my kids’ decisions, which is that they’re not allowed to use that .”

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/dec/11/facebook-former-executive-ripping-society-apart


and also:

"Ex-Facebook president Sean Parker: site made to exploit human 'vulnerability'
Site’s founding president, who became a billionaire thanks to the company, says: ‘God only knows what it’s doing to our children’s brains’

Facebook’s founders knew they were creating something addictive that exploited “a vulnerability in human psychology” from the outset, according to the company’s founding president Sean Parker."

“Your behaviours, you don’t realize it, but you are being programmed, ...” (... note: I had to correct the spelling of behaviours, my OCD wouldn't let it go even in a quote. sorry)

https://www.theguardian.com/technol...ok-sean-parker-vulnerability-brain-psychology

(I already eschew social media for these reasons.)
Click to expand...


I was very early to recognize the disgusting aspects of things like facebook, twitter, whatsapp and its ilk.
That is why I never used them and never will.
I have a mail address and that is it.

When I visit people and they repeatedly sit there typing on their phone I leave with a single goodbye.
I even did away with my mobile phone because I had enough of it.
 
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znôrt

znôrt
Iskariot said:
I was very early to recognize the disgusting aspects of things like facebook, twitter, whatsapp and its ilk.
Click to expand...

and what ilk is that? i hope you realize facebook, twitter, whatsapp are totally different phenomena, with totally different problems and implications.

Iskariot said:
That is why I never used them and never will.
I have a mail address and that is it.
Click to expand...

good for you, but it isn't actually helping you when the outcome of elections can be influenced by social media, or in general selection criteria is more and more shifted on undisclosed algorithms. the problem is not you, it's the impact on society and that will bite you regardless.


Iskariot said:
When I visit people and they repeatedly sit there typing on their phone I leave with a single goodbye. I even did away with my mobile phone because I had enough of it.
Click to expand...

yeah, well, me too. but that's just a symptom, an oddness if you like. it's about the implications of self reinforcing media bubbles on society. also, the issue is how to live with it, because there's no way back.
 

Iskariot

Iskariot
znôrt said:
and what ilk is that? i hope you realize facebook, twitter, whatsapp are totally different phenomena, with totally different problems and implications.
Click to expand...

Yes I do. I don't want any of it. Like I said, I do not even have a mobile phone anymore.

good for you, but it isn't actually helping you when the outcome of elections can be influenced by social media, or in general selection criteria is more and more shifted on undisclosed algorithms. the problem is not you, it's the impact on society and that will bite you regardless.
Click to expand...

I have given up on society 30 years ago and don't care about elections anymore. I observe the circus of lies from a safe distance like I would a colony of rabid monkeys.
What happens... happens. I accept my fate.
Yes you are right it will bite me. It is biting me right now, and it always has and will bite me. I am used to that. I have developed a tolerance for being bitten.

yeah, well, me too. but that's just a symptom, an oddness if you like. it's about the implications of self reinforcing media bubbles on society. also, the issue is how to live with it, because there's no way back.
Click to expand...

Yes it's a symptom, but a very disturbing one. It annoys me more than getting bitten.
 
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CMDR Cosmic Spacehead

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead
I have up on social media a long time ago.

I used to be quite active on Facebook.
Then I realised I didn't actually care what anyone was posting, and anyone posting utter crap was removed.
Now my "Facebook friends" is basically a list of family and friends from my childhood. Lol

And I still don't post stuff. :p
My Facebook page is a barren wasteland... :D

And I only use Twitter to tell EE that their signal is broken where I work again.

And of course, I use these forums, but even then, it's turning in to a bit of a drama these days.

But I think Facebook is damaging.
Just yesterday, I was following a woman (not stalking!) in town, and she was just head down at her phone, on Facebook.
Constantly typing and staring for a response. Didn't look up once.
Then nearly walk out in front of a bus, when the roads are covered in ice.

I don't get the appeal of sharing stuff with strangers.
And I really don't understand posting what you're eating, unless it's hilarious.
Like my giant pancakes in California once.

But even then, I didn't post it on Facebook. Lol

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead
 

znôrt

znôrt
Iskariot said:
I have given up on society 30 years ago and don't care about elections anymore. I observe the circus of lies from a safe distance like I would a colony of rabid monkeys.
What happens... happens. I accept my fate.
Click to expand...

that's very understandable. i'm not quite there yet. i do think there is value in embracing technologies and promoting good use at least in your closest circles, and it can make a difference.

facebook is crap but i do use it (2h/year on avg) to dig up forgotten acquaintances. works wonders. twitter is a curiosity i use 10min/day to read some very good political satire and the daily gems of a bunch metaphor yunkies which is, imo, very high quality content that brightens my day. i very rarely write there because my brightness is not up to par :D. whatsapp is simply ultra handy to get things done and info across fast.

Iskariot said:
Yes it's a symptom, but a very disturbing one. It annoys me more than getting bitten.
Click to expand...

then say so. "hey, could you put your friken phone down a minute and share some of your time with me or should we part ways anyway?". it works, just try. people is not bad, and not dumb. they're just unaware, and easily manipulable. they understand and react when someone they trust points it out :D

try it, let's all get bitten a bit less :)
 

starman

starman
CMDR_Cosmicspacehead said:
I have up on social media a long time ago.

I used to be quite active on Facebook.
Then I realised I didn't actually care what anyone was posting, and anyone posting utter crap was removed.
Now my "Facebook friends" is basically a list of family and friends from my childhood. Lol

And I still don't post stuff. :p
My Facebook page is a barren wasteland... :D

And I only use Twitter to tell EE that their signal is broken where I work again.

And of course, I use these forums, but even then, it's turning in to a bit of a drama these days.

But I think Facebook is damaging.
Just yesterday, I was following a woman (not stalking!) in town, and she was just head down at her phone, on Facebook.
Constantly typing and staring for a response. Didn't look up once.
Then nearly walk out in front of a bus, when the roads are covered in ice.

I don't get the appeal of sharing stuff with strangers.
And I really don't understand posting what you're eating, unless it's hilarious.
Like my giant pancakes in California once.

But even then, I didn't post it on Facebook. Lol

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead
Click to expand...

SIGNAL IS DOWN
 

Arry

Arry
Patrick_68000 said:
The access to the universal knowledge for all is essential
Click to expand...
There can be massive differences between the facts and historical truths. Knowledge is power and not just in a malevolent way. The internet, is like the invention of the book. The Latin word for this is Bible, but that is another story. The book and giving people the power of the written word, had more power than anything before it. That power was controlled; in every part of the world, it was invented in; because it could hold secrets and of course. Become a reference of knowledge.

The inter-web has many of the same issues, as the book. Lies can be told and incorrect beliefs can become accepted.

As to it being a threat to human civilization? Humans have been doing that for centuries. The discourse between them, due to the inter-web, is just making things louder and of course the extreme idiots are making the most noise and therefore; getting the most attention.
 
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