5 ms·

The next great game: Politicians vs. tech companies

13 points by 1cvmask 5y ago

chiefalchemist 5y ago
> For skeptics, Bremmer poses this question: Who will do more to influence the outcome of next year’s US midterm congressional elections: The President of the United States or the CEO of Meta? According to Bremmer, since the vote will be influenced by both real-world rules changes and the online flow of information, the answer isn’t obvious. The question is flawed. Better would be: - From the perspective of the status quo power (i.e., US government) what is the bigger threat to that power persisting or not, China or Big Tech? (Hint: It's not China). - Put a slightly different way, on a day to day basis who is better positioned to influence the thoughts and decisions of individuals, some elected official or Big Tech? --- While she doesn't get heavily into gov v tech per se, "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism" does a thorough job of framing the massive depth and breadth of tech's power, especially when it comes to tracking and influence. --- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hIXhnWUmMvw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hIXhnWUmMvw
renewiltord 5y ago
People make a big deal out of the power of Big Tech but China vs Jack Ma tells the truth - governments are massive powerhouses. They can end anyone. Jeffrey Epstein was a billionaire. No one, not even Marc Benioff can make SF change policy. Not even Zuckerberg can make them not vilify him even as they take his money to name their hospitals after him. Billionaires are nothing beside the power of government and we are worse off for that.
- pjc50 5y ago
  "Democracy has failed us, we must hope for the transformative power of individual billionaires" is a heck of a message, but I guess their propaganda has worked.
- dev-3892 5y ago
  we're ...what? can you in any way justify why we're worse off?
  - jmeister 5y ago
    Billionaires can compete with each other, and, on paper, anyone can become a billionaire. Govt power is concentrated and unique.
    - amberlise 5y ago
      Concentrated, unique, and at least somewhat democratic.
      - pauldenton 5y ago
        So how many votes have you seen in the last 2 years for this Covid policy? I haven't seen any. All the covid response I have seen is top down government dictates. I have seen nobody voting for lockdowns or restrictions
        wittycardio 5y ago
        In Canada the prime minister called an election to affirm he had support for his policy and was re elected. In the states Donald Trump lost in part due to his covid policy. That's democratic choice in determining policy
    - thebradbain 5y ago
      I would posit that becoming a politician is more accessible for most than becoming a billionaire…?
      - 1cvmask 5y ago
        There are those who succeed in politics and amass fortunes during and after their tenure.
guilhas 5y ago
Most countries government are currently following health advice from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, an experienced salesman Billionaires found NGOs, think tanks, buy news papers and TV channels. Mould public opinion, and provide political advice... Politicians bend to the floor in the USA and other democracies In the case of Facebook what we have is other billionaires not happy that Zuckerberg doesn't let go his 51%, so they're doing what they do, and advising the politicians they sponsor how outraged they should be Also finance billionaires that dislike the rise of tech companies billionaires will probably fight to retain power

13 points by 1cvmask 5y ago

> For skeptics, Bremmer poses this question: Who will do more to influence the outcome of next year’s US midterm congressional elections: The President of the United States or the CEO of Meta? According to Bremmer, since the vote will be influenced by both real-world rules changes and the online flow of information, the answer isn’t obvious. The question is flawed. Better would be: - From the perspective of the status quo power (i.e., US government) what is the bigger threat to that power persisting or not, China or Big Tech? (Hint: It's not China). - Put a slightly different way, on a day to day basis who is better positioned to influence the thoughts and decisions of individuals, some elected official or Big Tech? --- While she doesn't get heavily into gov v tech per se, "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism" does a thorough job of framing the massive depth and breadth of tech's power, especially when it comes to tracking and influence. --- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hIXhnWUmMvw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hIXhnWUmMvw

renewiltord 5y ago

People make a big deal out of the power of Big Tech but China vs Jack Ma tells the truth - governments are massive powerhouses. They can end anyone. Jeffrey Epstein was a billionaire. No one, not even Marc Benioff can make SF change policy. Not even Zuckerberg can make them not vilify him even as they take his money to name their hospitals after him. Billionaires are nothing beside the power of government and we are worse off for that.

pjc50 5y ago
"Democracy has failed us, we must hope for the transformative power of individual billionaires" is a heck of a message, but I guess their propaganda has worked.
dev-3892 5y ago
we're ...what? can you in any way justify why we're worse off?
- jmeister 5y ago
  Billionaires can compete with each other, and, on paper, anyone can become a billionaire. Govt power is concentrated and unique.
  - amberlise 5y ago
    Concentrated, unique, and at least somewhat democratic.
    - pauldenton 5y ago
      So how many votes have you seen in the last 2 years for this Covid policy? I haven't seen any. All the covid response I have seen is top down government dictates. I have seen nobody voting for lockdowns or restrictions
      - wittycardio 5y ago
        In Canada the prime minister called an election to affirm he had support for his policy and was re elected. In the states Donald Trump lost in part due to his covid policy. That's democratic choice in determining policy
  - thebradbain 5y ago
    I would posit that becoming a politician is more accessible for most than becoming a billionaire…?
    - 1cvmask 5y ago
      There are those who succeed in politics and amass fortunes during and after their tenure.

guilhas 5y ago

Most countries government are currently following health advice from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, an experienced salesman Billionaires found NGOs, think tanks, buy news papers and TV channels. Mould public opinion, and provide political advice... Politicians bend to the floor in the USA and other democracies In the case of Facebook what we have is other billionaires not happy that Zuckerberg doesn't let go his 51%, so they're doing what they do, and advising the politicians they sponsor how outraged they should be Also finance billionaires that dislike the rise of tech companies billionaires will probably fight to retain power