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

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

#31

Post by throwaway981211 »

baby wrote: post #20

I think that is misdirection. There are two parts that I don't think are contradicted by this article: 1) Facebook, twitter, and other social networks give people a voice and a community. 2) If these platforms are censored in a country, it has a great effect on free speech in the country. Now, there are some good questions related to the article to ask here: a) Are these platforms actually a problem because of the am…

I’m not sure these platforms provide voice or community vs providing an avenue for those with large pockets to shape and influence opinions, on a far more personal level than before, thanks to big data and things like targeted ads.

Not an accusation but do you work for FB? I spoke to someone recently who does and they said something very similar to what you wrote. Not saying you two are the same person, but is this one of FBs talking points?

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

#32

Post by cptaj »

baby wrote: post #20

I think that is misdirection. There are two parts that I don't think are contradicted by this article: 1) Facebook, twitter, and other social networks give people a voice and a community. 2) If these platforms are censored in a country, it has a great effect on free speech in the country. Now, there are some good questions related to the article to ask here: a) Are these platforms actually a problem because of the am…

Isn't the algorithm a form of censorship in and of itself?

It decides what to show and what to hide. Yes, you can drill down to find what you want, but that will either never happen at scale or might be entirely impractical.

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

#33

Post by vanderZwan »

zachguo wrote: post #5

Sounds like how people argue against printing press in 15th century. https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110119/05022912725/fifte...

I don't see it, can you elaborate? If this was a critique of blogging I could see a connection, or if the monk was criticizing people who owned printers for only producing the most inflammatory pieces at the expense of all other content, but it is neither as far as I can see.

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

#36

Post by techntoke »

ptest1 wrote: post #21

Comment deleted because this doesn’t appear to be the right place to discuss nuanced issues about Facebook.

I have deleted all friends and everything from Facebook and I still get almost non-stop recommendations from Facebook with clickbait videos and friend suggestions for social media personalities that I have no interests in. They should not be trying to push crap on me like this and I find it disgusting.

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

#37

Post by reikonomusha »

ptest1 wrote: post #21

Comment deleted because this doesn’t appear to be the right place to discuss nuanced issues about Facebook.

When a company touches more than a billion kinds of the world, I think criticism—actionable or not—is perfectly warranted.

If people suspect Facebook isn’t simply an equal propagator of information, but rather has a (potentially uncontrollable) AI that is optimizing for hate and outrage, it seems both reasonable and meaningful to have a discussion around it.

“Well what are they supposed to do with all the opposing criticism?” It’s not about making people happy, it’s about responsible use of their power, and part of that is at least informed by what critics say.

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

#38

Post by TazeTSchnitzel »

temac wrote: post #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.

> Why would Facebook have anything to do with free speech?

It's probably a reaction to Zuckerberg's recent speech about how Facebook is about free speech (AIUI, haven't seen/read it)

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

#39

Post by pfraze »

baby wrote: post #20

I think that is misdirection. There are two parts that I don't think are contradicted by this article: 1) Facebook, twitter, and other social networks give people a voice and a community. 2) If these platforms are censored in a country, it has a great effect on free speech in the country. Now, there are some good questions related to the article to ask here: a) Are these platforms actually a problem because of the am…

This debate centers around whether Facebook is a publisher or a carrier (like a phone service). There are some ways that Facebook inserts itself much more directly than a carrier would:

1) They control the feed algorithms.

2) They set policies around what activity is allowed by users.

3) They run ads at their discretion.

4) They control all of the application tooling, which in turn establishes what users can and can't do.

You can look at the situation as users asking for more control over those 4 points. We can do it either by breaking up the tooling and devolving more authority to users, or we can do it via government-regulated policies.

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

#40

Post by mayneack »

temac wrote: post #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.

Facebook pitches itself as free speech https://newsroom.fb.com/news/2019/10/mark-zuckerberg-stands-...
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