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The worst thing you can do to Facebook is to stop using it. Sure they keep a profile on you even if you don’t have an account but their power is derived from pe

The worst thing you can do to Facebook is to stop using it. Sure they keep a profile on you even if you don’t have an account but their power is derived from people using their platform.

deleted 7y ago
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smallgovt 7y ago
You have more power than that. If you want to hurt Facebook, spread the ideas that Facebook is unhealthy, uncool, and/or a detriment to society. In addition to stopping your personal use, influence your friends to deter them from using it too.
- gridlockd 7y ago
  Don't be "that guy". It doesn't work any it only makes you less fun to be around. Nobody wants to get lectured about how they're doing something bad or stupid. People are well aware of the problems with Facebook. Maybe they'll change, maybe they won't. If they do, please don't assume it was because of you.
  - darkpuma 7y ago
    It does work. Not on you I suppose, but plenty of people have stopped using facebook because other people persuaded them to stop. In fact, I wager telling people about facebook being crap works a lot more than telling people to stop complaining about facebook.
  - inflatableDodo 7y ago
    >It doesn't work any it only makes you less fun to be around. It does work and I am crap at being social anyway, so I don't mind taking the hit. Someone has to be 'that guy', as you put it. Might as well be me. So, hear me good people. Get the hell off facebook, it is a terrible place full of demons, woe and all that is tawdry, misplaced and wrong, and since we are on HN, go build alternatives to facebook while you are at it.
  - merpnderp 7y ago
    So your argument is that debate and reasoning are futile, and the only way people can change their minds is stumbling upon conclusions? I'd say we have conclusive evidence that people can change their minds by hearing new idea or evidence from other people.
    - gridlockd 7y ago
      > So your argument is that debate and reasoning are futile, and the only way people can change their minds is stumbling upon conclusions? No, I'm saying "being that guy" doesn't work. You know "that guy". You've met him. He didn't convince you. Unless, you already agreed with him, that is. Then you probably didn't notice him as "that guy".
  - pessimizer 7y ago
    Alternately, do be that guy. I love hearing about stuff I would be concerned about if only I were aware and I love personal testimonials from people I know and respect about things I had only read about previously. I often change because of specific things that people said, and like to tell them, because it takes bravery to hold an opinion, put it out there, and to be convincing in defending it. I guess my ego is strong enough not to feel contempt towards people who know things that I don't, because I've never met anyone who didn't. If I already know, I'll tell you.
    - gridlockd 7y ago
      Okay, here's something you clearly don't know: You're not actually that person, this is the self-image that you have constructed for yourself. It's an idealization of a rational human being that you admire, but that doesn't actually exist. On another note, let's say you were this exceptional kind of human: Your advice would still be bad. Most people are not like you. Most people will react negatively, perhaps without you noticing. It wouldn't be very smart to go out into the world and assume that everyone works works the way you do, or that at least they should.
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pmoriarty 7y ago
Even better: Show your displeasure to companies advertising on or doing business with Facebook. Start boycotts. This will hit them in their wallet to a much greater extent than any individual quitting Facebook can.
- Theodores 7y ago
  Just do it with soft power, tell business people how nobody gets any value from advertising there and what a con it is. The marketing people will listen and will buy ads elsewhere or put their money into other activities. A boycott isn't going to get the same bang per buck or be listened to.
  - pmoriarty 7y ago
    Actually, boycotts of advertisers have been very effective in the past, but I've never heard of anyone being successful at simply talking companies out of advertising.
    - Theodores 7y ago
      "advertising there" - as in Facebook. It is easy to persuade clients - as in companies - to put their money into other channels to get a return. Try it!

The worst thing you can do to Facebook is to stop using it. Sure they keep a profile on you even if you don’t have an account but their power is derived from people using their platform.

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

smallgovt 7y ago

You have more power than that. If you want to hurt Facebook, spread the ideas that Facebook is unhealthy, uncool, and/or a detriment to society. In addition to stopping your personal use, influence your friends to deter them from using it too.

gridlockd 7y ago
Don't be "that guy". It doesn't work any it only makes you less fun to be around. Nobody wants to get lectured about how they're doing something bad or stupid. People are well aware of the problems with Facebook. Maybe they'll change, maybe they won't. If they do, please don't assume it was because of you.
- darkpuma 7y ago
  It does work. Not on you I suppose, but plenty of people have stopped using facebook because other people persuaded them to stop. In fact, I wager telling people about facebook being crap works a lot more than telling people to stop complaining about facebook.
- inflatableDodo 7y ago
  >It doesn't work any it only makes you less fun to be around. It does work and I am crap at being social anyway, so I don't mind taking the hit. Someone has to be 'that guy', as you put it. Might as well be me. So, hear me good people. Get the hell off facebook, it is a terrible place full of demons, woe and all that is tawdry, misplaced and wrong, and since we are on HN, go build alternatives to facebook while you are at it.
- merpnderp 7y ago
  So your argument is that debate and reasoning are futile, and the only way people can change their minds is stumbling upon conclusions? I'd say we have conclusive evidence that people can change their minds by hearing new idea or evidence from other people.
  - gridlockd 7y ago
    > So your argument is that debate and reasoning are futile, and the only way people can change their minds is stumbling upon conclusions? No, I'm saying "being that guy" doesn't work. You know "that guy". You've met him. He didn't convince you. Unless, you already agreed with him, that is. Then you probably didn't notice him as "that guy".
- pessimizer 7y ago
  Alternately, do be that guy. I love hearing about stuff I would be concerned about if only I were aware and I love personal testimonials from people I know and respect about things I had only read about previously. I often change because of specific things that people said, and like to tell them, because it takes bravery to hold an opinion, put it out there, and to be convincing in defending it. I guess my ego is strong enough not to feel contempt towards people who know things that I don't, because I've never met anyone who didn't. If I already know, I'll tell you.
  - gridlockd 7y ago
    Okay, here's something you clearly don't know: You're not actually that person, this is the self-image that you have constructed for yourself. It's an idealization of a rational human being that you admire, but that doesn't actually exist. On another note, let's say you were this exceptional kind of human: Your advice would still be bad. Most people are not like you. Most people will react negatively, perhaps without you noticing. It wouldn't be very smart to go out into the world and assume that everyone works works the way you do, or that at least they should.

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

pmoriarty 7y ago

Even better: Show your displeasure to companies advertising on or doing business with Facebook. Start boycotts. This will hit them in their wallet to a much greater extent than any individual quitting Facebook can.

Theodores 7y ago
Just do it with soft power, tell business people how nobody gets any value from advertising there and what a con it is. The marketing people will listen and will buy ads elsewhere or put their money into other activities. A boycott isn't going to get the same bang per buck or be listened to.
- pmoriarty 7y ago
  Actually, boycotts of advertisers have been very effective in the past, but I've never heard of anyone being successful at simply talking companies out of advertising.
  - Theodores 7y ago
    "advertising there" - as in Facebook. It is easy to persuade clients - as in companies - to put their money into other channels to get a return. Try it!