Recently, the social network giant Facebook replied defensive statement against the viral statement which was made by the vice president of the social network giant Facebook to criticize the social media giant by claiming it is an addictive tool that “violates human psychology.”
Facebook Responds To Severe Criticism By Saying ‘We Have Grown’
Recently, we reported that regarding the use of social networks, the vice president of the social network giant Facebook, Chamath Palihapitiya reveals that “he does not use this ‘Sh*t’ and does not let his children use them as well.” Every citizen advises them to take a serious break in their use (not just Facebook, but of all).
The vice president of the social network giant Facebook, Chamath Palihapitiya also considers that the behaviours that users of social networks have are being programmed and warns that the “short-term effects of dopamine release, which is at the origin of cycles that are destroying the way society works.”
“Social networks are destroying society” as we told already that was the statement of Chamath Palihapitiya, an executive who worked on Facebook between 2007 and 2011 during an interview. Who has never had the feeling that, somehow, was “induced” to stay longer in the networks? That’s why the subject became controversial and forced Facebook to react. But the answer was somewhat surprising.
Today Palihapitiya is a co-founder and CEO of Social Capital, a company that funds startup projects in areas such as health and education. But the executive also sees himself as someone with a duty to raise awareness about the use of social networks. “I can not control (Facebook), but I can control my decision not to use this “Sh*t” as well as my children’s decision.”
Although the subject arose this week, Palihapitiya gave all these statements more than a month ago during an event at the Stanford University business school. He spoke with the property of an executive whose main role was to develop strategies to increase the user base of the social network giant Facebook.
The problem is precisely in these strategies. Palihapitiya warns that the behaviour of users in the social network is programmed without them realizing it. “The short-term feedback cycles driven by dopamine are destroying the functioning of society.”
It is a statement similar to that of Sean Park, former Facebook chairman, who recently criticized the social network for “exploiting a vulnerability in human psychology” by stimulating a “social validation feedback loop.” That is, both understand that the social network giant Facebook exploits masterfully the “vice” of people.
It was not long before the social network giant Facebook decided to comment on the matter. That was expected. What is surprising is that, instead of vehemently refuting Palihapitiya’s statements, the company tried to say that today it works differently:-
“Chamath has left Facebook for more than six years. When he was with us, we were focused on creating new social media experiences and growing Facebook around the world. Facebook was a very different company at the time, and as we grew older we realized how our responsibilities grew too. We take our role very seriously and we are working hard to improve.
We are also making significant investments in people, technologies and processes, and – as Mark Zuckerberg said at the last investor conference – we are willing to reduce our profitability to ensure the right investments are made.”
On second thought, a defensive posture would probably only add to the controversy, after all, you do not have to be specialized in human behaviour to know Facebook and other online social networks were built to keep users as much as possible within them. The whole situation, therefore, remains an invitation to reflection.
So, what do you think about this? Simply share all your views and thoughts in the comment section below.