Back in 2006, I loved Facebook. I loved connecting with people and friends from around the world. The updates were great to see. The world needed it. I was convinced that social networking was the killer-app for the internet, and I still think that was true.
But then the world matured. By now we’ve all gotten used to it. The novelty has worn off. We take that online social connection for granted.
In today’s world, it’s not just enough to connect people and share the information, you need to provide context around that connection and that information. This is how people get news and information.
I’m not the only one who thinks so. When Trump posted last week “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” the employees at Facebook wanted to label that post as offensive, but Zuckerberg was adamant that all posts go up without being altered. Hundreds of employees are pissed after the company took no action.
Mark also went on Fox News and criticized Twitter for fact-checking Trump’s posts on mail-in ballots. He said he didn’t want his company to be an “arbiter of truth” on political issues. I think he’s the only one who feels that way.
Come on Mark. Let’s be honest, the reason you care so much is because (a) you don’t want to sign up to do the work. It’s a lot to label posts as incorrect or violent and once you set the precedent that you can’t go back, (b) the alt-right and other groups (Russia) are paying customers and it hurts the business to take sides, and finally (c) when your core product is harmful, you wants few warning labels as possible.
For all of these reasons, my views are switching. I’ve always viewed Facebook and its ability to connect others as a net positive in the world, even with all its flaws. But considering the recent actions and lack of conscience I hear from Mark, I’ve come to think of them as a net negative.
With over a billion monthly users, I only hope it turns around and gets better as they have enormous influence and power in the world.
The Trolling of Trump
It seems like the Mayor DC is fed up and is going to work. Check this out. First, the street leading up to the White House has been ordered to be painted:
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/OQg6977n5r
— Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) June 5, 2020
Second, the street directly in front of the White House is now officially “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”
The section of 16th street in front of the White House is now officially “Black Lives Matter Plaza”. pic.twitter.com/bbJgAYE35b
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) June 5, 2020
The “Not Cool” Section
He couldn’t stay away from it. Jeez.
The president just retweeted a post attacking the character of George Floyd pic.twitter.com/Bj0Xuly1jk
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 6, 2020
It’s the kids of these folks that I’m worried about:
There’s a town called Vidor, Texas where no Black person has lived in for 75 years.
Back in 1987 Oprah and her crew visited the town and here’s what happened. pic.twitter.com/KWlz7KNEBM
— 💎Titty 2 Virgils💎 (@BkJay_Early) June 4, 2020
Putting up a graphic that shows how you’re not only not losing money but making money after black people get murdered is probably one of the more unbelievable things I saw yesterday
This is a horrific graphic to have put up on air.
My god. pic.twitter.com/HoDof1AN9l
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) June 5, 2020
Other Stuff
The N.B.A. team owners approved a proposal to restart July 31 in DisneyWorld. I’m excited for this.
Michael Jordan is ponying up $100 million over 10 years. Wow.
I agree Santa
Cases
We are all opening up. Even though the COVID threat remains, we’re just realizing that we’re going to have to find a way to live with it, somehow:
Cases and deaths are flat in both US and the World. I’ll keep you posted. Have a great weekend everyone.
