3 ms·
The people don't really have that reach. Social media companies decide what messages are allowed, so only people the companies agree with have any reach on the
by leereeves 6y ago
The people don't really have that reach. Social media companies decide what messages are allowed, so only people the companies agree with have any reach on the platforms.
In effect, social media users are just acting as speechwriters for the companies' political views. They submit comments, and mods chosen by the company decide which comments are published. Or sometimes the company simply bans particular viewpoints.
What gets published on social media is increasingly company approved just like any other company's public messaging.
- aspenmayer 6y ago> In effect, social media users are just acting as speechwriters for the companies' political views. Well, since you brought it up, which speeches of yours did you take this comment from, and who are you writing those speeches for? Whose agenda do your words subtly lend support to?
- leereeves 6y agoYou're taking the metaphor too literally, but to answer the second part: in this thread I'm lending support to the 72% of Americans who think social media companies have too much political influence. My agenda is simply that they should take a more hands off approach. The number of anti-cancel-culture posts on HN, as well as a post about "aggressive conformity" on HN right now by the founder of HN, suggest that HN has a similar agenda, so I suppose I am simply adding content that supports the company's position.