3 ms·

How does "everyone should use Facebook less" undermine collective action? Isn't it a call for collective action?

vanderZwan 5y ago
Because it suggests that the only course of action against these kinds of practices requires individual choices to not use Facebook.
- x3n0ph3n3 5y ago
  Isn't that what collective action is? Individuals all agreeing to take action?
  - vanderZwan 5y ago
    You're confusing one ingredient in a dish for the dish. I agree that it's an important ingredient though. Where it falls short is that individual choices cannot fix systemic issues larger than the individual. That requires a systemic fix pushed for by collective action. And sure, collective action is built on individual choices to join that collective action but there's more to it than that. Moving away from Facebook is good, but it does not protect you from the next predatory practice unless collective preventative measures are taken.
dabbledash 5y ago
But it’s not a call for coercion. People can’t be trusted to make decisions for themselves because cigarettes / alcohol / social media / sugar / pornography is addictive. And since their bad choices have negative consequences on third parties because of health care costs / bad politics / family breakdown, we should get to tell them what to do.
- 41209 5y ago
  Exactly. I consider social media to be largely harmful, but so is beer and soda. Life is too short to be angry about what others chose to do.
- arbitrary_name 5y ago
  So you're against age limits on alcohol purchases? You're against banning or limiting advertising tobacco products in public spaces?
  - dabbledash 5y ago
    I’m against treating adults like children, but I’m ok with treating children like children.
pessimizer 5y ago
You don't collectively use facebook less, you just use facebook less. Things that are collective actions require some sort of coordination and planning.
- cvwright 5y ago
  Yeah collective action would be moving your friend group onto an alternative platform. Which is what we should be doing.

Because it suggests that the only course of action against these kinds of practices requires individual choices to not use Facebook.

x3n0ph3n3 5y ago
Isn't that what collective action is? Individuals all agreeing to take action?
- vanderZwan 5y ago
  You're confusing one ingredient in a dish for the dish. I agree that it's an important ingredient though. Where it falls short is that individual choices cannot fix systemic issues larger than the individual. That requires a systemic fix pushed for by collective action. And sure, collective action is built on individual choices to join that collective action but there's more to it than that. Moving away from Facebook is good, but it does not protect you from the next predatory practice unless collective preventative measures are taken.

dabbledash 5y ago

But it’s not a call for coercion. People can’t be trusted to make decisions for themselves because cigarettes / alcohol / social media / sugar / pornography is addictive. And since their bad choices have negative consequences on third parties because of health care costs / bad politics / family breakdown, we should get to tell them what to do.

41209 5y ago
Exactly. I consider social media to be largely harmful, but so is beer and soda. Life is too short to be angry about what others chose to do.
arbitrary_name 5y ago
So you're against age limits on alcohol purchases? You're against banning or limiting advertising tobacco products in public spaces?
- dabbledash 5y ago
  I’m against treating adults like children, but I’m ok with treating children like children.

pessimizer 5y ago

You don't collectively use facebook less, you just use facebook less. Things that are collective actions require some sort of coordination and planning.

cvwright 5y ago
Yeah collective action would be moving your friend group onto an alternative platform. Which is what we should be doing.