[SimianSci]

If this were completely uncharted territory, you might have a leg to stand on here. But you are correct that this is exactly how Facebook started, and we know exactly how that goes, the poster is correct that this just leads to harassment at scale.

The author's response was the main problem, showing a complete lack of character or ethical concern. There is a world of difference between being a hacker with a sense of rebelliousness and a jerk who thinks there should be zero consequences to their actions.

[Dylan16807]

If we're using the Facebook example to call this unacceptable, we should really be fighting a lot harder against Facebook itself. Because it still has a reasonably positive reputation overall and it's affecting billions of people.

[alsetmusic]

> If we're using the Facebook example to call this unacceptable, we should really be fighting a lot harder against Facebook itself.

I don't think many here would disagree with you.

> Because it still has a reasonably positive reputation overall and it's affecting billions of people.

I'm gonna disagree with you. Maybe it's because I live in the Bay Area so the culture is affected by the proximity of tech companies. But my family in the middle of the country mostly seem to be on the same page, so I don't know how you explain that. It may be that I'm drawn to people who care about these topics and some degree of sameness is expected within family dynamics resulting from the parents' values raising us. Whatever.

I think a good portion of society considers FB a garbage product but don't know of an alternative and just accept it for what it is. I think a smaller portion of society recognizes that they are amoral and terrible for society. How many countries have now discussed legislation to limit kids accessing social media (whether you agree or disagree)? That didn't spring out of nowhere fully formed. Years of criticism got us there.

[apublicfrog]

> Maybe it's because I live in the Bay Area so the culture is affected by the proximity of tech companies. But my family in the middle of the country mostly seem to be on the same page, so I don't know how you explain that.

I can explain that. 100% of Americans add up to roughly 5% of the worlds population. As such, there are billions of non American users with very different viewpoints and opinions.

[altairprime]

Yes, we really should be! You’ve hit it on the nose with that point: Facebook has been a stalker with effectively legal immunity in a lot of people’s lives for quite a long time. I’m glad to see others realizing it, too. The more that do, the sooner their formerly-untouchable behavior becomes unacceptable.

[red-iron-pine]

> we should really be fighting a lot harder against Facebook itself.

yes. correct.

> Because it still has a reasonably positive reputation overall and it's affecting billions of people.

does it? its like the power company -- you just kinda have to use it, or else you just have ot go without.

[samus]

Indeed, it should burn in hell, and most of its companion platforms and its competitors should join it.

[chrisweekly]

"There is a world of difference between being a hacker with a sense of rebelliousness and a jerk who thinks there should be zero consequences to their actions."

Given the external consequences of certain actions, for all intents and purposes that "world of difference" may exist only inside their skull.