Intelligence Squared Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination, with Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang
Jul 20, 2021
Discover the fascinating inner workings of Facebook and uncover how it transformed from a platform for connection to a source of polarization. Journalists Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang dive into the company's PR dilemmas and its controversial profit model tied to negativity. They also explore Mark Zuckerberg's complex persona and his ambitious vision for change, while highlighting the struggles with misinformation and the tech giant's political influence. The discussion raises pressing questions about accountability and the nature of power in Silicon Valley.
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Data Abuse by Engineers
- Facebook fired 52 engineers for abusing data access to stalk women.
- This highlights Facebook's prioritization of growth over user safety and its reactive approach to problems.
Zuckerberg-Sandberg Dynamic
- Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg's partnership, initially strong, has soured.
- Zuckerberg now exerts more control, diminishing Sandberg's influence, especially regarding policy.
Emotive Content Prioritization
- Facebook's algorithms prioritize emotive content, not necessarily hate, driving engagement.
- Even negative reactions like outrage increase time spent on the platform, reinforcing this pattern.
