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Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage

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21–30 of 178 posts

Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage

#22
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fair. Though that has more to do with potentially being illegal. The more serious (violation of free speech) thing is political censorship

> Though that has more to do with potentially being illegal. Death threats, and many other forms of hate speech, are illegal in many jurisdictions, and yet that is not used to justify a blanket ban on angry text. > The more serious (violation of free speech) thing is political censorship It is not obvious to me that these things are even separable; to pick but one obvious example, a topless photograph posted by advoc…

because the people advocating for tits equality are a tiny group, while mainstream politics have wide implications. I m all for tit freedom, but facebook's lawyers have to weigh in the costs of litigation

Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage

#23

There was a period where feeds were just wall to wall outrage. Literally, at trump, at obama, at random other friends on facebook. It was crazy. Reality - life's much better getting off social media and hanging out with friends in real life - and instagram has a bit less outrage machine stuff - easier / quieter place to share pix of the kids playing and catchup with what folks are up to.

Regarding Insta, it’s interesting how some platforms are inherently more peaceful.

The lack of links? Tiny, almost irrelevant image descriptions? Barely a commenting system to speak of? Just vanity and pretty people.

It’s quite nice. And makes for a good case study.

Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage

#24
post #16
post #7

Facebook has nothing to do with free speech. Free speech is "you don't go to jail for saying something." You're not entitled to a platform for shouting out loud.

> You're not entitled to a platform for shouting out loud You voluntarily subscribe on social media though. Nobody is forcing you to hear their noise

Right. Nothing to do with free speech.

Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage

#26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Simple: because they’re too big

Are you suggesting that the laws should be changed to limit the political freedom of some companies? If so, what would be your criteria for determining which companies this would apply to?

When they get too big.

Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage

#27
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Though that has more to do with potentially being illegal. Death threats, and many other forms of hate speech, are illegal in many jurisdictions, and yet that is not used to justify a blanket ban on angry text. > The more serious (violation of free speech) thing is political censorship It is not obvious to me that these things are even separable; to pick but one obvious example, a topless photograph posted by advoc…

because the people advocating for tits equality are a tiny group, while mainstream politics have wide implications. I m all for tit freedom, but facebook's lawyers have to weigh in the costs of litigation

free speech is only for popular, mainstream speech?

I don’t really care what’s cost effective for Facebook’s lawyers; we don’t have to care about that, so we should stop enabling the lie that their main concern is enabling free speech.

Costs, playing nice with established powers, not scaring away advertisers by putting their ads too near a nipple — these are their concerns, and we should stop participating in the destruction of the meaning of “free speech” by calling “a narrow spectrum of speech compatible with our current corporate goals” “free speech”.

Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage

#28
The fact that people associate facebook and similar corporations with free speech and take the side of them it's pretty disgusting.

This article tells just one side of the story, the ad-engagement part which was told yesterday.

And no, for what is worth, techcrunch is not "the press".You don't see CNN,MSNBC or similar outlets talk against FB because it is obviously not in their interest.

Truly sad how people get blinded by Zuckerberg's charade.

Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage

#29
Why would Facebook have anything to do with free speech?

This title sounds as "strange" as: requiring a driver license is not in contradiction with the right to travel. Well, yes, ok, but that's kind of trivial because everybody (except a bunch of truly insane people) agree with that.

Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage

#30
In many ways, algorithms, IQ, and the internet have ruined humanity. Had Facebook recognized itself as a funny website for college students to talk to each other and not begun all these complex strategies, they’d not likely have caused such damage, and we’d all have been better off. I believe that most people, and organizations, should just set their sights lower.
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