Chris Hughes, one of the original founders of Facebook, has an unusually astute analysis and critique of Facebook in today's NYT opinion page. He argues that Mark Zuckerberg is a good guy, but that his company is a threat to our economy and democracy. Facebook, he argues, needs to be broken up. It's an article every techie, techie wannabe and politician needs to imbibe thoroughly.
In an unusual response to the extensive analysis, the editors of the Times also provide 5 takeaways from Hughes' essay:
--Mark Zuckerberg is really powerful. Like cartoonishly, Bond-villain powerful.
--Facebook's founders had no idea of the power of what they were building.
--Facebook's concentration of power and influence is part of a trend that extends beyond Silicon Valley.
--There are no alternatives to Facebook. That's the problem.
--We have the tools to regulate Facebook but not the will. Yet.
A major problem we face is that the old, regular good-guy politicos are utterly clueless. So we really do need Mayor Pete Buttigieg. He's the only one running for the presidency who understands the shit, has the willpower, and can actually execute.
NYT: Chris Hughes: It's time to break up Facebook. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/opinion/sunday/chris-hughes-facebook-zuckerberg.html
NYT: Chris Hughes's call to break up Facebook: 5 Takeaways. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/opinion/chris-hughes-facebook.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage