Why do we need a Facebook alternative?
The Internet is evolving rapidly. Humans are not keeping pace. Technology companies are shoving technology into our lives and humans are not prepared for the rapid pace. Humans are not wired up for this (yet.) Humans began their evolution as hunters and gatherers, and from there the campfire meals is where socialization began.
“The answer is simple; social media is wearing away at our empathy and human connectedness.”
The short-term dopamine driven feedback loops that we have created, are destroying how society works
Credit: Chamath Palihapitiya
Credit: Google
Facebook is Destroying Values
Let me be clear, I truly believe there are millions of Americans like myself who are quite concerned about the moral decay of society and the impact that social media plays.
No More Empathy
Recently I did a search on this issue and the post at the top of the list had this to say:
“The answer is simple; social media is wearing away at our empathy and human connectedness.”
Should we just Slack and do Nothing?
I could continue and write about the perils of social media, and talk to my 10 best friends about how we could change the world, but how is one to make an impact with the masses against a tool that was supposedly going to improve our connectedness? Things have gotten out of control for this machine called Facebook. Can the battle between David vs Goliath be a useful metaphor for the World’s battle against Facebook?
Slacktivism
Can Our Brains Keep Up?
You know, I have been helping people with computer problems for over 30 years. Notice I said helping people with computers, not helping computers with people. I came to the realization many years ago that most human’s brains are no yet wired up to digest many of the technologies and byproducts that technology has brought us. Computers and technology will evolve no matter what, humans will have to evolve to keep pace. Like all things, many will balance the tech with a healthy human acceptance that empathy and connectedness with good old fashion means is still a proven way for us to connect.
Artificial Intelligence might make this problem worse
Some will lean to either an extreme positive or extreme negative acceptance or use of technology. The key is to keep a balance and never forget where we came from. If things like the Matrix and AI (Artificial Intelligence) takes over some day we will still have this, our will to be human and to empathize. Computers do not empathize, the ability to convey empathy with computers is limited, it is possible, but the masses are like cattle and just follow the path of least resistance, the easy way like free tools.
Privacy is a Right
They say nothing is free, I suppose we are granted the inalienable right to privacy and freedom of speech and for some… easy come easy go. Maybe this is something we should preserve. The masses are following each other into challenging times, I do believe humanity will evolve beyond social media sites like Facebook and Youtube as we know them. No, these tools will not go away. But, I truly believe humanity will learn and evolve to balance these tools with one thing in mind, Humans.
“Engage, Enlighten, Encourage, and especially… just be yourself! Social media is a community effort, everyone is an asset.”
Credit: Susan Cooper
Be careful when you blindly follow the masses… Sometimes the ‘M’ is silent. Credit: fb/the idealist
Here is a video – Let’s Design Social Media that drives real change (a TED Talk by Wael Ghonim)
“Speaking about thoughtfulness, civility, and mutual understanding” (Lenghty video, but if you are in a hurry fast forward to 7:55)
Here is a video – How Dangerous is Facebook?
In November 2017, Chamath Palihapitiya revealed that, for ethical reasons, he regrets having helped Facebook to become the largest social media platform. He said, “[t]he short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops that we have created are destroying how society works: no civil discourse, no cooperation, misinformation, mistruth. This is not about Russian ads. This is a global problem. It is eroding the core foundations of how people behave by and between each other.
Protect Your Data
“You are being programmed”
Credit: Chamath Palihapitiya
No civil discourse, no cooperation, misinformation, mistruth
Credit: Chamath Palihapitiya
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamath_Palihapitiya
Do Your Homework
- Do your homework and find a reliable source for news and information.
- Limit your social media activity to only what is necessary and nothing more.
- Read Terms of Use, Agreements, and dialogue boxes before agreeing to Apps and Online Services.
Think Outside The Box
Use cognitive thinking instead of relying on information that is not validated empirical data but rather opinions and fake news.
Emotional Intelligence
Here is an interesting article that describes the “Human Touch.”
The Skills Needed to Survive the Robot Invasion of the Workplace
http://www.visualcapitalist.com/skills-needed-survive-robot-workplace/
Human Touch
Those skills that are mentioned in the article are the same skills that are being destroyed by Social Media Machines.
The Human Touch will help us keep that empathy and what truly makes us Humans interacting with real people. It seems there are Social Media companies that will enable artificial intelligence to ignore this and catapult the rise of the Machines, for this is all Facebook seems to be, a Machine. The challenge is to keep that Human Touch.
The Internet is evolving rapidly. Humans are not keeping pace. Technology companies are shoving technology into our lives and humans are not prepared for the rapid pace. Humans are not wired up for this (yet.) Humans began their evolution as hunters and gatherers, and from there the campfire meals is where socialization began.
Guard Your Data
A Data Breach caused by careless Social Media companies can damage lives and reputations. Protect this before it is too late by creating a strategy to guard your data.
Is texting Social Media?
Let us also talk about text messages and how they play a part in Social Media. Texting is a good example of where Social Media apps can go wrong.
Take this article form ZDNet: Texting in business: Not a good idea
It discusses the perils of using texting as a form of business communication, and we agree with them, it is not such a good ideas most of the time.
Ask AI:
The relationship between social media and humanity is complex, and there are both positive and negative aspects to consider.
On one hand, social media has the potential to connect people from all over the world, and to give individuals a platform to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences. Social media can be a powerful tool for social and political change, and can help to raise awareness about important issues. It can also be a useful tool for businesses, allowing them to reach a wider audience and to connect with customers in new and innovative ways.
However, social media also has the potential to be harmful to humanity. It can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness, as people spend more time interacting with their devices than with other people. It can also be a breeding ground for cyberbullying and harassment, and can be used to spread misinformation and hate speech. Additionally, the constant bombardment of information, images, and videos can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Moreover, social media can contribute to the spread of fake news and conspiracy theories, it can also be used to spread hate speech and extremist ideas. It can also be used to manipulate people’s emotions and opinions, with the help of sophisticated algorithms, and can also be used to spread malware and other cyber threats.
In conclusion, while social media can be a powerful tool for connecting people, spreading information and promoting social and political change, it also has the potential to be harmful to humanity. It’s important for individuals, governments, and social media companies to be aware of these potential negative impacts and to take steps to mitigate them.