This article is weird, because the "bubble effect" (or as Soros describes it: "an undue ability to influence people’s behavior by leveraging their massive data

This article is weird, because the "bubble effect" (or as Soros describes it: "an undue ability to influence people’s behavior by leveraging their massive data stores to precisely target messages that nudge users in specific directions") is definitely the main issue with Facebook! Without such power, Trump would not be our president, the alt-right would not capture so many followers, and our democracy would be much much healthier. It would also be easier for people to exercise self control with their time spent on Facebook (because without algorithmic warm-bath-water content, you would be jarred out of your safe zone). And if people were pushed away from Facebook, normal media, including news media, would have an easier time profiting from providing useful journalism and deeper storytelling. It seems like people (both Cal Newport, and the majority of commenters in this thread) are extremely uncomfortable admitting that Facebook wields this power over many people. It is a bit scary, and it calls into question individual rational self control (which many of you hold dear to your hearts), but there is massive evidence that this power exists, and that it is negatively affecting our society. We need to deal with it.