[mrweasel]

>People would actually understand what is going on

I don't think that's in the interest of companies like Facebook or Google. If people understood how their data can be used, many would close their accounts immediately. Data mining companies, and their customers are best served by keeping the public in the dark as much as possible. Revealing how much they actually know about us would cause trouble, if nothing else then simply because it's creepy as hell to many of us.

The funny thing is that while I think all this data mining is creepy, I also believe it's useless in most cases. The only thing I've seen work well over time is Amazons recommendation of books.

[thr0waway1239]

Its also not in my interest to reduce my net worth by paying taxes. But it happens promptly each year. Maybe its time we demanded this from the companies.

Also, I would argue it is indirectly in the interest of said companies and their employees if they prefer that their legacy is to avoid being referred to in the same bracket as the Enrons and the Arthur Andersens of the world.

The trouble is, they are also too big to fail now. The thing that petrifies me more than a thriving Facebook is a Facebook on the brink of collapse and which has nothing to lose.