Big Technology Podcast A Look Into Facebook's Soul — With WSJ's Jeff Horwitz and Ex-FB Exec. Brian Boland
Sep 18, 2021
In this engaging discussion, Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz, known for his revelatory reports on Facebook’s practices, teams up with former Facebook executive Brian Boland. They unravel startling discrepancies between Facebook's public statements and internal operations, highlighting content moderation challenges and the mental health impacts of Instagram. They also debate the implications of algorithm changes, the need for tech regulation, and the importance of transparency in addressing corporate malpractices.
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Leaked Documents
- Jeff Horwitz receives internal documents from Facebook employees facing moral crises.
- These employees, tasked with fixing societal problems, feel unheard and obligated to speak out.
Size vs. Will
- Facebook's size makes content moderation difficult, but not impossible.
- Understaffing and delayed responses indicate inattention, not insurmountable challenges, says Jeff Horwitz.
Prioritizing Safety
- Facebook's leadership can prioritize safety by signaling its importance and allocating resources.
- Brian Boland cites past successful shifts like "move fast with stable infra" and the mobile transition as examples.