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Linus: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Are “A Disease”

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Re: Linus: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Are “A Disease”

#4
The link should be changed to the original interview: https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/25-years-later-intervie...

Very recent discussion: 25 Years Later: Interview with Linus Torvalds https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19559970

296 points by axiomdata316 5 days ago | 145 comments

Re: Linus: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Are “A Disease”

#7

He's about right but it's not really a ground breaking observation.

Agreed, it seems a casual observation that's heading toward universal opinion.

Though I agree with the sentiment, I'm not sure Linus carries much authority in speaking about social media.

Re: Linus: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Are “A Disease”

#8

Of course, Google+ is fine ;)

Google+ obviously didn't optimize for engagement, that's why nobody was using it!

In the end I don't think anyone had any idea what Google+ was supposed to be or do, most of all Google themselves.

Re: Linus: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Are “A Disease”

#9

Are they a disease, or are they symptoms?

> Are they a disease, or are they symptoms?

They’re akin to the lead in lead poisoning. Not the disease per se, but the cause thereof. Broadly speaking, ad-driven social networks are incentivised to spread enraging content. That, in turn, incentivises content producers to make such content for broadcast.

Re: Linus: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Are “A Disease”

#10
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google+ obviously didn't optimize for engagement, that's why nobody was using it!

In the end I don't think anyone had any idea what Google+ was supposed to be or do, most of all Google themselves.

Sounds more and more like a temporary modern art installation.
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