Farhad Manjoo of the New York Times reports that Facebook has disclosed that it:
The experiment has produced the astonishing discovery that:
Can you believe it?
It seems some people can’t. Believe, that is, that Facebook – Facebook – would do such a thing. Aren’t we all friends here?
Apparently not. The news has:
Facebook users should spread the word – on Facebook, perhaps – that people with power over the masses will use it, whether the masses like it or not, Or know it or not. Consider the recent behavior of the IRS. And the NSA.
It is part of our flawed nature. And one of the arguments against giving people too much power or surrendering too much of your individual sovereignty or trusting those who operate in secret to behave honorably. It should be noted that when people who have abused their power over unsuspecting masses are exposed, their first response is not shame at getting caught but indignation and a quick shift over to the attack. Though some, as an expedient, take the
Fifth. They have rights.
Facebook’s celebrity boss, Sheryl Sandberg, as noted by Rebecca Hiscott at the Huffington Post:
But she stopped short of actually apologizing for the study itself.
“This was part of ongoing research companies do to test different products, and that was what it was; it was poorly communicated. And for that communication we apologize. We never meant to upset you.”
No. They count on your docility.
The Facebook herd needs to know: You are no friend. You are material.
Meanwhile: Patrick Tucker at Defense One has a story that takes this thing where it was sure to go. The headline of which is:
Franz Kafka would like to friend you on Facebook.
