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> Given that cynical viewpoint I wouldn't even call that cynical. It's just the state of things.

deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
tantalor 6y ago
It absolutely is cynical. Just another "If you're not paying for it, you're not the customer; you're the product being sold."
- calmworm 6y ago
  What you're describing with that quote isn't cynicism. Especially as far as FB is concerned. That is absolutely business as usual for them and has been for years.
- Drakim 6y ago
  While you aren't wrong, in this day and age it's not enough to simply pay. Even if you pay for something, you are still the product being sold. Why would a company leave money on the table, when violating people's privacy is profitable and there is no backlash?
  - Aeolun 6y ago
    Ethics?
    - chispamed 6y ago
      In a society which doesn't care enough and a legal system that doesn't punish unethical behaviour any company tapping unethical revenue streams in addition to the ethical ones will have a competitive advantage and given otherwise similar conditions eventually outperform ethical companies. Once a sole actor goes down that path it puts a lot of pressure on all other actors to throw ethics overboard as well as otherwise their company's survival and in extension their livelihood will be threatened. This is why we can't just rely on market forces sorting everything out, consumers making decision, etc. but have to actively legislate to protect our privacy and personal rights.
  - justapassenger 6y ago
    It's not this day and age. Analytics and data mining of customers data is as old as business. 2000 years ago merchants were also tracking who's buying what, in what city, what time of the year, etc. It's waaaaay more efficient nowadays and way more creepy, but it's not a new invention.
- rexpop 6y ago
  Just because you've heard it before doesn't make it false. I hope your naivete represents a minority perspective.
- kelnos 6y ago
  "Cynical" usually implies an element of assuming the worst when such an assumption is far from certain. In this case I think the assumption is spot-on and not at all surprising.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

It absolutely is cynical. Just another "If you're not paying for it, you're not the customer; you're the product being sold."

calmworm 6y ago
What you're describing with that quote isn't cynicism. Especially as far as FB is concerned. That is absolutely business as usual for them and has been for years.
Drakim 6y ago
While you aren't wrong, in this day and age it's not enough to simply pay. Even if you pay for something, you are still the product being sold. Why would a company leave money on the table, when violating people's privacy is profitable and there is no backlash?
- Aeolun 6y ago
  Ethics?
  - chispamed 6y ago
    In a society which doesn't care enough and a legal system that doesn't punish unethical behaviour any company tapping unethical revenue streams in addition to the ethical ones will have a competitive advantage and given otherwise similar conditions eventually outperform ethical companies. Once a sole actor goes down that path it puts a lot of pressure on all other actors to throw ethics overboard as well as otherwise their company's survival and in extension their livelihood will be threatened. This is why we can't just rely on market forces sorting everything out, consumers making decision, etc. but have to actively legislate to protect our privacy and personal rights.
- justapassenger 6y ago
  It's not this day and age. Analytics and data mining of customers data is as old as business. 2000 years ago merchants were also tracking who's buying what, in what city, what time of the year, etc. It's waaaaay more efficient nowadays and way more creepy, but it's not a new invention.
rexpop 6y ago
Just because you've heard it before doesn't make it false. I hope your naivete represents a minority perspective.
kelnos 6y ago
"Cynical" usually implies an element of assuming the worst when such an assumption is far from certain. In this case I think the assumption is spot-on and not at all surprising.