Subj : Re: Computer Kits
To   : Jeff
From : boraxman
Date : Sat Jan 29 2022 15:27:59

 Je> Hmm. I would argue that Silicon Valley is more democratically controlled
 Je> than government regulation. Government tends to react to small numbers
 Je> of people who complain loudly (or, more often, donate generously).
 Je> Silicon Valley seeks to maximize profit by getting as many people as
 Je> possible to use their service. If something is making a lot of people
 Je> use their service less, they remove that thing (or person, or behavior).
 Je> Silicon Valley also seeks to avoid government regulation and therefore
 Je> removes things that pose a threat to them legally.
 Je> 

Facebook and Google, to name two, have advertisers as their customers.  The users (you) is not a customer.  You're there to provide them data they can use to monetise the platform.

I think you're still under the belief that the Internet is as it was in 2005. Times have changed, and it is now about gathering of data.  The ability to communicate with others is almost a side effect of their data gathering excercise.

Ever wonder how it is you can use Google, Facebook and Instagram, WhattsApp, etc without paying a cent?

Also, keep in mind, I'm Australian. So we have
Silicon Valley values being used by these companies to manipulate people where by skewing search results, etc. We are having our information manipulated by a foreign body.  Something I'm not happy with.

 Je> 
 Je> I think that it is becoming self-correcting over time.
 Je> 

What makes you think that?  Silicon Valley seems highly ideological.  Google has stated they want to change the way the world thinks.  This crosses a line from being a neutral service provider to something else.  Why would they give up their power to change our values to their values?

 Je> Yep. But they're also going to do their own thing, and we have to let
 Je> them.
 Je> 

I don't really subscribe to this.  We ban illicit and dangerous drugs for similar reasons, we put limits on gambling and other activities which are a social ill.

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