Modern Wisdom #093 - Roger McNamee - Is Facebook Zucked?
Aug 12, 2019
Roger McNamee, an early Facebook investor turned critic, shares his journey from Silicon Valley insider to advocate against surveillance capitalism. He discusses Facebook's decline and the urgent need for data privacy, touching on the ethical responsibilities tech companies hold over user data. McNamee emphasizes the consequences of technology addiction and manipulation, contrasting Facebook's practices with Apple's commitment to privacy. He highlights the importance of public awareness and collective action to reclaim digital rights and protect against corporate overreach.
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Meeting Zuckerberg
- Roger McNamee met Mark Zuckerberg, who was 22, after being contacted about a crisis.
- McNamee advised Zuckerberg against selling Facebook for $1 billion, predicting its future success.
Shifting Roles and Early Signals
- McNamee's role shifted from advisor to investor around 2009 as Facebook's management team solidified.
- Early signs indicated Zuckerberg's disregard for user privacy and a desire to push for excessive openness.
Beacon and Connect
- Facebook's Beacon, an early monetization attempt, backfired when a user's engagement ring purchase was publicized without consent.
- Repackaged as Facebook Connect, it still tracked user activity across the web, raising privacy concerns.
