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There's an interesting phenomenon where people in developing countries begin to think that Facebook is the full extent of the internet: Indonesians surveyed by

There's an interesting phenomenon where people in developing countries begin to think that Facebook is the full extent of the internet: Indonesians surveyed by Galpaya told her that they didn’t use the internet. But in focus groups, they would talk enthusiastically about how much time they spent on Facebook. Galpaya, a researcher (and now CEO) with LIRNEasia, a think tank, called Rohan Samarajiva, her boss at the time, to tell him what she had discovered. “It seemed that in their minds, the Internet did not exist; only Facebook,” he concluded. [1] I feel extremely lucky and privileged to have grown up with an open internet, where there was at least some (diminishing) percent of websites that did not treat me like a product to be marketed to advertisers, prodding and analyzing, constantly gamifying and creeping ever-inwards on my privacy. I deactivated my account a few months ago because it felt like Facebook was taking more from me in terms of time and energy than I was gaining from it. There is a huge benefit to bringing the connectivity of Facebook to developing countries and remote territories. Many people wouldn't be able to run businesses or keep in touch with family without it. I just wish it didn't come with the strangely uncomfortable, sell-your-soul type of vibe that a project funded by publicly owned, for-profit venture usually generates. Especially when PR tries to spin it off as a charitable or humane act. Once you go public, it's about profit and it always will be. And a lot of the time, that's fine. Our country was founded and continues to run on capitalistic principles. Just don't hide behind any false pretenses and you'll have my support 100%. [1] http://qz.com/333313/milliions-of-facebook-users-have-no-idea-theyre-using-the-internet/ http://qz.com/333313/milliions-of-facebook-users-have-no-ide...

forgetsusername 11y ago
>think that Facebook is the full extent of the internet: My mother wanted to "get on the internet" because of the Facebook phenomenon a few years ago. Now she thinks Facebook is the full extent of the internet. Googling something or visiting a "homepage" is completely foreign to her. She'll search in the Facebook bar or ask questions in her feed if she's looking for information. Now she has a smartphone, and outside of texting and the odd call, only uses the Facebook app. Obviously, her aptitude and usage is minimal, but it's an interesting phenomenon to behold.
- dopamean 11y ago
  You would describe your mother's aptitude as "obviously minimal?"
- Retrograderz 11y ago
  Most likely she just prefers it that way. Sure, could Google search, but Facebook search is right there plus she likes it.
qmalxp 11y ago
Back in the day, I think many people equated AOL with "The Internet".
- eitally 11y ago
  But back in the day, AOL was more closely equated with something like a Yahoo-style content homepage & search box that also offered ISP connectivity services, which was critical for millions who were unserved by what was at the time "high speed" DSL or cable ISPs. Mailing bazillions of installer CDs worked -- who'd have guessed!
eric-hu 11y ago
I'm spending some time traveling in Thailand. While topping off my phone data package, I noticed that you can pay for a "Facebook and Line only" data package. [1] Locals have told me the role that Facebook and Instagram play in eCommerce here is different from how it is in the states. Many physical product merchants will set up a Facebook or Instagram account for their store. They'll post their products as pictures, take payments via Line, and then ship merchandise once cash is received. Since Facebook and IG are eCommerce platforms, giving FB + limited net access means more than just accessing a social network. I too, find it off-putting that Facebook markets this project as charity work, but I think the picture is grey at best and at worst. [1] translate.google.co.th/translate?hl=en&sl=th&u=http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/topping/&prev=search http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/topping/&prev=search

forgetsusername 11y ago

>think that Facebook is the full extent of the internet: My mother wanted to "get on the internet" because of the Facebook phenomenon a few years ago. Now she thinks Facebook is the full extent of the internet. Googling something or visiting a "homepage" is completely foreign to her. She'll search in the Facebook bar or ask questions in her feed if she's looking for information. Now she has a smartphone, and outside of texting and the odd call, only uses the Facebook app. Obviously, her aptitude and usage is minimal, but it's an interesting phenomenon to behold.

dopamean 11y ago
You would describe your mother's aptitude as "obviously minimal?"
Retrograderz 11y ago
Most likely she just prefers it that way. Sure, could Google search, but Facebook search is right there plus she likes it.

qmalxp 11y ago

Back in the day, I think many people equated AOL with "The Internet".

eitally 11y ago
But back in the day, AOL was more closely equated with something like a Yahoo-style content homepage & search box that also offered ISP connectivity services, which was critical for millions who were unserved by what was at the time "high speed" DSL or cable ISPs. Mailing bazillions of installer CDs worked -- who'd have guessed!

eric-hu 11y ago

I'm spending some time traveling in Thailand. While topping off my phone data package, I noticed that you can pay for a "Facebook and Line only" data package. [1] Locals have told me the role that Facebook and Instagram play in eCommerce here is different from how it is in the states. Many physical product merchants will set up a Facebook or Instagram account for their store. They'll post their products as pictures, take payments via Line, and then ship merchandise once cash is received. Since Facebook and IG are eCommerce platforms, giving FB + limited net access means more than just accessing a social network. I too, find it off-putting that Facebook markets this project as charity work, but I think the picture is grey at best and at worst. [1] translate.google.co.th/translate?hl=en&sl=th&u=http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/topping/&prev=search http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/topping/&prev=search