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Don't you get it? It's not just about you. It's about all around you. When you're using Facebook, you are doing 2 things: first, you reveal the personal infor

Don't you get it? It's not just about you. It's about all around you. When you're using Facebook, you are doing 2 things: first, you reveal the personal information of everyone around you (bit by bit, each time you reveal your personal information). Second, you strengthen the network effect that incite, sometimes even force people to cave in, use Facebook themselves, and thus reveal their private information. You don't know it, but using Facebook is not just a personal choice. It's a political choice.

anigbrowl 9y ago
Who are these people around me whose information I'm revealing, pray tell? You don't know it, but using Facebook is not just a personal choice. It's a political choice. I do know that, I don't know why you would think otherwise. Whether you understand my political motives is another question, though it's clear you don't agree with them.
- loup-vaillant 9y ago
  I assumed your self-centred argument (your freedom, your needs…) stemmed from an oversight. I assumed you didn't know, or consider, the effect you have on others by using Facebook (specifically, giving up information about them, and strengthening the network effects that sometimes force people to use Facebook even if they don't want to). But now you're telling me you're aware of these issues… I don't want to assume, but you sure look like an egotistical bastard at this point. Or a cynic. I'm not sure which is worse.
  - GhostVII 9y ago
    > But now you're telling me you're aware of these issues… I don't want to assume, but you sure look like an egotistical bastard at this point. Or a cynic. I'm not sure which is worse. That seems a bit extreme... The effect on others is pretty minimal, what is so bad about using Facebook just because you like it, despite the small side effects on others? So your saying that anyone who uses Facebook after hearing about shadow accounts is a 'egotistical bastard'?
    - loup-vaillant 9y ago
      Depends on the expected magnitude of the effect. If small enough, you're still good. There are also ways to mitigate those effects, such as lurking only, never tag anything, use the "like" wisely… It's not just about shadow accounts, by the way. There are more direct effects. For instance I was once forced to set up an account for logistic reasons (they used Facebook extensively, if not exclusively). Worse, when I tell them I didn't got some news (because I didn't check that account very often, and I turned off the very annoying notifications), they say "but I sent the mail" (they only used Facebook). I have since "deleted" my account, good riddance. So, the effect on me was direct and significant. Depending on how you use Facebook, you can have a similar effect. The worst you can do is set up events and invitations on Facebook only, forcing your friends to either use Facebook, or drift apart.

anigbrowl 9y ago

Who are these people around me whose information I'm revealing, pray tell? You don't know it, but using Facebook is not just a personal choice. It's a political choice. I do know that, I don't know why you would think otherwise. Whether you understand my political motives is another question, though it's clear you don't agree with them.

loup-vaillant 9y ago
I assumed your self-centred argument (your freedom, your needs…) stemmed from an oversight. I assumed you didn't know, or consider, the effect you have on others by using Facebook (specifically, giving up information about them, and strengthening the network effects that sometimes force people to use Facebook even if they don't want to). But now you're telling me you're aware of these issues… I don't want to assume, but you sure look like an egotistical bastard at this point. Or a cynic. I'm not sure which is worse.
- GhostVII 9y ago
  > But now you're telling me you're aware of these issues… I don't want to assume, but you sure look like an egotistical bastard at this point. Or a cynic. I'm not sure which is worse. That seems a bit extreme... The effect on others is pretty minimal, what is so bad about using Facebook just because you like it, despite the small side effects on others? So your saying that anyone who uses Facebook after hearing about shadow accounts is a 'egotistical bastard'?
  - loup-vaillant 9y ago
    Depends on the expected magnitude of the effect. If small enough, you're still good. There are also ways to mitigate those effects, such as lurking only, never tag anything, use the "like" wisely… It's not just about shadow accounts, by the way. There are more direct effects. For instance I was once forced to set up an account for logistic reasons (they used Facebook extensively, if not exclusively). Worse, when I tell them I didn't got some news (because I didn't check that account very often, and I turned off the very annoying notifications), they say "but I sent the mail" (they only used Facebook). I have since "deleted" my account, good riddance. So, the effect on me was direct and significant. Depending on how you use Facebook, you can have a similar effect. The worst you can do is set up events and invitations on Facebook only, forcing your friends to either use Facebook, or drift apart.