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Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

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Re: Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

#21

Post by AQuantized »

jraines wrote: post #10
misiti3780 wrote: post #5

Does anyone really believe he could be elected president someday? (mentioned in the article)

Just those who will make it their business to believe it’s possible (politcal consultants). Exhibit A: Bloomberg campaign If they were eligible, Schwarzeneggar (years ago) or Musk (now), would have a better shot —- still small —- because it would be a circus. And we have evidence that a circus can get you elected.

Musk was born in South Africa, so isn't eligible for the presidency.

Edit: Must have only skimmed this thread before commenting because the parent mentions this, oops

Re: Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

#22

Post by windthrown »

Trasmatta wrote: post #14
Etheryte wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't need charisma when you can insert yourself into people's notifications, Facebook and Instagram feeds, have a near-live overview of the majority of the voting population, know their political bias, cultural heritage, and much, much more.

Do you believe that Zuckerberg would be allowed to use Facebook to push his presidential campaign? I feel like he would have to divest himself of the company entirely first. Then again, that's maybe too much of an expectation, given our current political situation.

You'd think so...but I also thought it would be politically unpalatable for Trump to refuse to divest from his business.

And once in office, the emoluments clause of the constitution has been shown to be pretty toothless.

Re: Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

#23

Post by donogh »

Trasmatta wrote: post #14
Etheryte wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't need charisma when you can insert yourself into people's notifications, Facebook and Instagram feeds, have a near-live overview of the majority of the voting population, know their political bias, cultural heritage, and much, much more.

Do you believe that Zuckerberg would be allowed to use Facebook to push his presidential campaign? I feel like he would have to divest himself of the company entirely first. Then again, that's maybe too much of an expectation, given our current political situation.

He controls 57.9% of the voting shares[1] and, historically, hasn't exactly been a paragon of virtue.

[1] https://www.investopedia.com/articles/insights/082216/top-9-...

Re: Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

#24

Post by r00fus »

pavlov wrote: post #16
misiti3780 wrote: post #5

Does anyone really believe he could be elected president someday? (mentioned in the article)

He could be the first Prime Minister of ROCOW, the Republic of California, Oregon and Washington, colloquially known as Yugofaangia.

Not a chance. That doesn't mean he can't maintain delusions.

Re: Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

#25

Post by Trasmatta »

AQuantized wrote: post #21
jraines wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just those who will make it their business to believe it’s possible (politcal consultants). Exhibit A: Bloomberg campaign If they were eligible, Schwarzeneggar (years ago) or Musk (now), would have a better shot —- still small —- because it would be a circus. And we have evidence that a circus can get you elected.

Musk was born in South Africa, so isn't eligible for the presidency. Edit: Must have only skimmed this thread before commenting because the parent mentions this, oops

That's why they said "If they were eligible".

Re: Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

#26

Post by fatbird »

jraines wrote: post #10
misiti3780 wrote: post #5

Does anyone really believe he could be elected president someday? (mentioned in the article)

Just those who will make it their business to believe it’s possible (politcal consultants). Exhibit A: Bloomberg campaign If they were eligible, Schwarzeneggar (years ago) or Musk (now), would have a better shot —- still small —- because it would be a circus. And we have evidence that a circus can get you elected.

A bit weirdly, Bloomberg is exhibit B; Howard Schultz's attempt a few months earlier was Exhibit A, and about as successful. At some point, those same consultants had to convince Bloomberg he wouldn't be another Schultz.

Re: Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

#27

Post by the-dude »

ardy42 wrote: post #19
youeseh wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Charisma can be learned.

> Charisma can be learned. Did Hillary Clinton learn it? Of all the people in the world, she's probably the one who had the most incentive and motivation to "learn" charisma, if it was possible.

And opportunity. She is married to charisma.

Re: Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

#28

Post by war1025 »

pstuart wrote: post #20
Trasmatta wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, I keep seeing the "well, Trump won!" argument anytime somebody suggests that a certain person wouldn't win an election. But that ignores Trump's unique characteristics that allowed him to gain a significant and loyal following. I feel like Zuckerberg trying to run would be a Mike Bloomberg situation. Remember when that happened?

Trump's unique characteristics were antithetical to the role of POTUS. Now cult leader, on the other hand...

The only thing about Trump that is antithetical to the role of POTUS, at least in the coastal elite / media sense, is that he ran as a Republican.

Re: Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

#29

Post by realbarack »

misiti3780 wrote: post #5

Does anyone really believe he could be elected president someday? (mentioned in the article)

Zuck could 100% be elected president someday. It certainly seems more plausible than I would have said about Trump in say ~2012.

- The US worships rich and successful businessmen in general.

- Facebook is the most powerful media empire the world has ever know. It could easily mobilize to support a Zuck campaign.

- His charisma and current reputation are obviously votes against him but reputation is malleable (see previous point re: media empire) and political training could probably go a long way.

Re: Bland God: Notes on Mark Zuckerberg (2018)

#30

Post by freewilly1040 »

smacktoward wrote: post #9
misiti3780 wrote: post #5

Does anyone really believe he could be elected president someday? (mentioned in the article)

When you're rich enough, you quickly get surrounded by people who are happy to agree with any damn fool notion you come up with.

As Mike Bloomberg can attest to, this is not enough to be a presidential contender.
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