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Google Introduces Facebook Competitor, Emphasizing Privacy

nytimes.com

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Re: Google Introduces Facebook Competitor, Emphasizing Privacy

#31

Post by ltamake »

MatthewPhillips wrote: post #27
ltamake wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple tried to use the same philosophy: everyone has an Apple ID, so there's no migration issue. Look how that turned out. But I understand what point you're trying to make. This will get used, but I don't see it becoming a true Facebook rival because of the network effect Facebook relies on. If users were to migrate in masses, on the other hand, Facebook would be dead within a short amount of time. Sadly, that's not…

Switching social networks is not the same as switching email services. You don't just up and move. Millions switched from MySpace to Facebook but what they really did was join Facebook while still using MySpace. And then using MySpace less. And then not at all. So, in theory, people could "join" Google+ because they see it in the toolbar while they're searching, and if there are a few killer features that bring them…

MySpace wasn't prepared for Facebook, and ignored it until about 2009 when it was too late. People saw their friends on Facebook, so they stopped using MySpace (hence the network effect I mentioned earlier). Facebook /will/ fight for its social dominance, but (generally speaking) there is a site out there that they don't know about and won't be prepared for (aka "the next Facebook")

Re: Google Introduces Facebook Competitor, Emphasizing Privacy

#32

Post by stephenr »

contextfree wrote: post #30
alecco wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They mean privacy with respect with other users. Newspeak. I hope this way of interpreting the word doesn't catch on.

I'm sympathetic to these worries, but to play devil's advocate I wonder which kind of privacy most people actually care more about. Given the choice between having one's boss/co-workers/family/spouse learn some embarrassing secret about you, and having random strangers at a large corporation learn it, which would most people pick?

When that random stranger is Eric Schmidt & co...?

Re: Google Introduces Facebook Competitor, Emphasizing Privacy

#33

Post by contextfree »

stephenr wrote: post #32
contextfree wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sympathetic to these worries, but to play devil's advocate I wonder which kind of privacy most people actually care more about. Given the choice between having one's boss/co-workers/family/spouse learn some embarrassing secret about you, and having random strangers at a large corporation learn it, which would most people pick?

When that random stranger is Eric Schmidt & co...?

Which will directly affect me more, my wife learning about my adulterous affair, or Eric Schmidt learning about my affair?

Re: Google Introduces Facebook Competitor, Emphasizing Privacy

#34

Post by Clue »

contextfree wrote: post #30
alecco wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They mean privacy with respect with other users. Newspeak. I hope this way of interpreting the word doesn't catch on.

I'm sympathetic to these worries, but to play devil's advocate I wonder which kind of privacy most people actually care more about. Given the choice between having one's boss/co-workers/family/spouse learn some embarrassing secret about you, and having random strangers at a large corporation learn it, which would most people pick?

I prefer a random stranger to know that I was out drinking last night vs my boss. One has more immediate implications to my income the other, much less likely.

Re: Google Introduces Facebook Competitor, Emphasizing Privacy

#36

Post by int3rnaut »

pavel_lishin wrote: post #15
joebadmo wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doesn't that mean they're going to be more trustworthy than anyone else? They've got direct supervision from the federal government.

Sure, like a drug dealer is more trustworthy because he's on parole and has to meet with a parole officer once a month.

One rock of Google+ please my good sir.

Re: Google Introduces Facebook Competitor, Emphasizing Privacy

#37

Post by bct »

contextfree wrote: post #30
alecco wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They mean privacy with respect with other users. Newspeak. I hope this way of interpreting the word doesn't catch on.

I'm sympathetic to these worries, but to play devil's advocate I wonder which kind of privacy most people actually care more about. Given the choice between having one's boss/co-workers/family/spouse learn some embarrassing secret about you, and having random strangers at a large corporation learn it, which would most people pick?

There's no question that people care more about what their immediate acquaintances know about them. That doesn't mean it's a great path for society, though.

Unfortunately the fashionable thing to do these days is to assume that everything will work out for the best on its own.

Re: Google Introduces Facebook Competitor, Emphasizing Privacy

#38

Post by contextfree »

bct wrote: post #37
contextfree wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sympathetic to these worries, but to play devil's advocate I wonder which kind of privacy most people actually care more about. Given the choice between having one's boss/co-workers/family/spouse learn some embarrassing secret about you, and having random strangers at a large corporation learn it, which would most people pick?

There's no question that people care more about what their immediate acquaintances know about them. That doesn't mean it's a great path for society, though. Unfortunately the fashionable thing to do these days is to assume that everything will work out for the best on its own.

I completely agree. But I think if you want things to change it helps to understand why people make the decisions they do (and that they're "locally" rational most of the time).
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