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The majority of people behave by classical Pavlovian conditioning: they'll get addicted for what gives them immediate pleasure even if it brings them pain, mise

The majority of people behave by classical Pavlovian conditioning: they'll get addicted for what gives them immediate pleasure even if it brings them pain, misery and suffering in the long run. That's why we have so much obesity, tobacco, cocaine, opioids and global warming. Facebook will keep thriving because it is to people what cookies were to Ivan Pavlov's dogs: instant gratification. Btw, I closed my FB account 4 years ago.

IAmEveryone 9y ago
You obviously don't like Facebook's practices, and neither do I. I wish Facebook would see its users leave in droves, for a privacy-conscious competitor to emerge, for decentralised services to make a comeback, or for regulation to put an end to the dark side of Facebook's business. Which is why I believe it's not constructive to arrogantly ignore the case this article is making. The reasons why people may find Facebook useful seem compelling: staying in touch with people you don't know well enough to see or call regularly; staying "on the radar" when, for example, someone from your extended circle of friends goes through their contact list to invite people to their party, etc. Even if you're right and there are some reasons why these mechanisms actually are detrimental to our social lives, I think the article's arguments are far more intuitive, and closer to what people actually believe. If you want to convince them to leave Facebook, it would be far more effective to start with an understanding of their point of view, instead of insulting them as animals governed by lesser instincts.
- diego_moita 9y ago
  Forgive me but, because I don't feel the effects of its influence, I do not care that much about its existence. (Remember: I don't use FB). Yes, I do have a moral objection to its practices, but not really an immediate repulse. As per your last argument: I am not "insulting them". If it were an "insult", it would be for everyone including me. I also go through considerable effort to avoid obesity and would also be addicted to drugs if I tried them. From a biological perspective we are all animals and as such we are all governed by "instincts", by the biological needs every animal has. Regardless of what they tell you in your biblical studies, human biology is very much like most of other mammals. Their "point of view" is just their biological need for little bursts of dopamine.

IAmEveryone 9y ago

You obviously don't like Facebook's practices, and neither do I. I wish Facebook would see its users leave in droves, for a privacy-conscious competitor to emerge, for decentralised services to make a comeback, or for regulation to put an end to the dark side of Facebook's business. Which is why I believe it's not constructive to arrogantly ignore the case this article is making. The reasons why people may find Facebook useful seem compelling: staying in touch with people you don't know well enough to see or call regularly; staying "on the radar" when, for example, someone from your extended circle of friends goes through their contact list to invite people to their party, etc. Even if you're right and there are some reasons why these mechanisms actually are detrimental to our social lives, I think the article's arguments are far more intuitive, and closer to what people actually believe. If you want to convince them to leave Facebook, it would be far more effective to start with an understanding of their point of view, instead of insulting them as animals governed by lesser instincts.

diego_moita 9y ago
Forgive me but, because I don't feel the effects of its influence, I do not care that much about its existence. (Remember: I don't use FB). Yes, I do have a moral objection to its practices, but not really an immediate repulse. As per your last argument: I am not "insulting them". If it were an "insult", it would be for everyone including me. I also go through considerable effort to avoid obesity and would also be addicted to drugs if I tried them. From a biological perspective we are all animals and as such we are all governed by "instincts", by the biological needs every animal has. Regardless of what they tell you in your biblical studies, human biology is very much like most of other mammals. Their "point of view" is just their biological need for little bursts of dopamine.