This article argues how many people’s lives are now depending on and living in these virtual online platforms such that we are forming a society there. It does

This article argues how many people’s lives are now depending on and living in these virtual online platforms such that we are forming a society there. It doesn’t rule the world in the same sense as a government on earth. But every move FB and Google make can impact millions’ lives. They don’t invade your home and arrest you, but they can shut down your account. Google can disable your entire Google Account and then you lose years worth of data (this happened recently a few months ago). Instead of marching on the street to protest, users are now sharing stories and their opinions through hashtags and sharing posts with their friends. They own your data now. They own your lives. They learn enough about you they can lure you into buying products. Instead of shaming another human being with a physical sign like Da Zi Bao (Big-character poster in the 50’s in China), we can gang up on an individual in the comment section. Keyboard warrior, huh? Their powerful algorithms can regulate and determine what we get to see and when we get to see. So many people are “being educated” on the Internet; there are the good stuff like Cousera and edX, and there are fake news outlets). We are grooming a whole new society in the cloud. Instead of taxing your money on a regular basis, they tax your time and then gets revenue back every time you are online and whenever you shop. Instead of sightseeing a new building, people are excited about new features rolling out. How are the above not evidence of forming a new kind of civilization? Every organization is itself a “government”. Someone at the top is making decisions for you.