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At a certain point, arguments like this become out of date. You don't need cars, electricity, phones, email, citizenship, or even a name to survive. The only es
by silicon2401 5y ago
At a certain point, arguments like this become out of date. You don't need cars, electricity, phones, email, citizenship, or even a name to survive. The only essential things are being able to forage/hunt, find running water. But as a civilized society we strive to raise the bar. At this point social media is an essential service, people just haven't caught up to it yet.
- RotaryTelephone 5y agoEssential to whom? For example, I used to be a consumerist pig, but when I trimmed the fat by deleting YouTube, Reddit, FB Messenger, Whatsapp and Instagram off my phone, I suddenly felt like I could breathe again. Now I spend my time during the day doing the things I love (hobbies). P.S. I've kept HN because, you know... the last bastion of reasonable discourse.
- ComputerGuru 5y agoOnly tangentially related, but is social media a net positive for society? An argument could be made for any of those things you named alongside it which have now become modern essentials, but does social media belong in that list? Instead of democratizing access to social media maybe the answer is to cut off the tentacles these firms use to maintain their grip over our society?
- spicybright 5y agoMy personal opinion is it's a net negative. But it's also a hydra of an idea that people are hooked on. Cut the tentacles and they'll grow back with little issue.
- silicon2401 5y agoYou could argue the same for speech or literacy. Free speech lets people organize gangs and crimes; literacy lets people learn how to commit crimes or learn about legal loopholes. Ignorance is bliss, so why not revert to medieval times where the church and monarchy keep people safe and happy in little bubbles of ignorance?
- qq4 5y agoSocial media is far from an essential service. Name one aspect of it that you deem essential which cannot be taken care of elsewhere. I've managed along just fine without Facebook and the like, along with many other people. Essential does not mean convenient.
- silicon2401 5y agoYour lack of experience with businesses or information that is only available through social media is not on me to correct. Especially in places like 3rd world countries or small businesses everywhere.
- cmoscoso 5y agoPlease go see a doctor.