Facebook can put whatever content in the news feed they want. I can choose whether to read Facebook or not. That sounds like free speech to me!
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
#72Facebook 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.
Facebook can have a policy of free speech.
That's what people mean.
Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage
#73Facebook 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.
I see this often (including an accompanying XKCD cartoon[1]) and don't agree with it. It may be a good summary of the first amendment in the US constitution but "judicial imprisonment" doesn't define the boundaries of free speech issues. Otherwise there wouldn't be things like whistleblower laws protecting some speakers. Does China putting pressure on the NBA to stop players from saying pro-Hong-Kong-protests things…
Last I checked, China are literally a government.
That said, I find weaknesses across the board with conventional arguments and talking points concerning speech.
It really is complicated. And there is considerable previous thought, precedent, and philosophy that's been forgotten or ignored.
Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage
#74There 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.
A vanity place with pretty people pushing random products in their feeds. How is that "nice"?
Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage
#75Earlier 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…
> a topless photograph posted by advocates for an equal right for both men and women to be topless in public is clearly political speech. Sure, but you can state the same opinion with words, and not get censored. If certain opinions are forbidden from being expressed, it's a very different thing.
> Sure, but you can state the same opinion with words, and not get censored
Sure, but that is in no sense what “free speech” means, so we should stop pretending that “free speech” is what Facebook is offering.
Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage
#76This Techcrunch title describes itself.
Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage
#77isn't this argument like 2-3y old now? didn't they say they were going to deprioritize politics and boost cats?
Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage
#78Any form of media that earns its profit from viewership and selling advertising, including broadcast and cable news and news radio, is optimized for outrage. That's what attracts the eyeballs. The "algorithmic" part is irrelevant.
I agree completely with you and would like to include fear. Fear and outrage.
Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage
#79Any form of media that earns its profit from viewership and selling advertising, including broadcast and cable news and news radio, is optimized for outrage. That's what attracts the eyeballs. The "algorithmic" part is irrelevant.
Sex attracts eyeballs too though it's a bit more difficult to sell Kraft Cheese Singles using sex.
Re: Facebook isn’t free speech, it’s algorithmic amplification optimized for outrage
#80"The problem is that Facebook doesn’t offer free speech; it offers free amplification." Not even that -- make a group for your business or product or band or political group, get people to sign up, and see how far free amplification goes.
FB's free amplification benefits FB. Or those who've figured out how to manipulate it to their own ends.
Paid amplification is FB's business model for the rest.