Slashdot Mirror
Mark Zuckerberg Is Working On a Way To Connect You To People You 'Should' Know (recode.net)
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Sunday shared some of what he has learned from his early trips around the country. Recode adds: The actual crux of the post comes later when Zuckerberg writes why he's taking on this new challenge. Basically: He's not running for office, he wants to find ways to strengthen Facebook's "community." Mark said, "I also think this is an area where Facebook can make a difference. Some of you have asked if this challenge means I'm running for public office. I'm not. I'm doing it to get a broader perspective to make sure we're best serving our community of almost 2 billion people at Facebook and doing the best work to promote equal opportunity at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. In many ways, relationships are the most important things in our lives -- whether we're trying to form healthy habits, stay out of trouble, or find better opportunities. And yet, research shows the average American has fewer than three close friends we can turn to for support." To make that difference Zuckerberg is talking about, he said that Facebook is helping people find people they already know but is also working on a way to connect you with people that you should know like mentors.
Because it's not really about connecting people who should be friends. Don't let Zuck fool you.
This is about advertisement. Back a couple years ago, FB threw up its collective hands and told us we had to put people into categories since they couldn't get people to click on a nag-button. This is the next step in that. You've already been analyzed and habits tracked. Now you're going to be put into discrete groups so that the advertisers can target better.
See? This isn't about connecting people or bettering communications. This is about how FB makes money and returning all those billions that's been invested in it.
You and now the various groups you belong to are the product. Funny how the wheel has already turned from micro-targeting individuals to targeting broader groups. It's almost as if broadcasting was the best way to get potential customers' attention in the first place. Who knew we could and would ignore the individuation of advertisement?
Oh, wait. Everyone.
> it said most people ONLY had 2-3 close personal friends?
Yep. There's a whole spectrum between those people who treat everyone like their 'bestie' and the hermit who trusts nobody.
My standards for a 'close personal friend' are very high - I have lots of acquaintances but very few friends. Honestly, I have a lot of trouble understanding how people can say they have more than a handful of friends unless they're still in high school or have retired, because proper friendships take a lot of time and don't fit very well into a normal adult schedule. First there's work, then there's 'chores', then immediate family, then extended family, THEN friends. When? Every weekend or three?
Once you're seeing them once or twice a year, they're acquaintances, not friends.