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The role of Facebook and other social media in swaying politics is almost presented as if it began in 2016. In reality what the U.S. saw was more like version
by treebeard901 8y ago
The role of Facebook and other social media in swaying politics is almost presented as if it began in 2016.
In reality what the U.S. saw was more like version 3 of a society manipulation tool.
Looking at the events in France recently, the 2016 election, Brexit, the Arab Spring and to some degree the 2008 election. We can see traces of targeted information inflaming a populace for political goals if we look back a decade.
This is not about Facebook specifically, it's more an observation on the kinds of social media manipulation that can happen with these tools. The question becomes, how much of this was an intended consequence of building these tools? A cynical view could make a strong case that it was intentional.
- chillacy 8y agoBack when Obama’s campaign used social it was hailed as innovative, now its manipulative. So the times change..
- pluma 8y agoSure, but that proves Facebook was aware of its influence as early as that and had enough time to consider the implications. If you find that politicians are using your product to sway public opinions, it's your moral responsibility to think about what that means and how it can be abused. You can't just shrug your shoulders ten years later and pretend you're surprised.
- makomk 8y agoThe role of social media in the Arab Spring was spun as a positive thing at the time though, as was the way it was used by Obama in the 2008 and 2012 elections.