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0 pointsBrian_K_White3d ago0 comments

There is a quote that goes something like "The purpose of any system is whatever it does."

Whatever any system does, it's someone's intention that it does so. It's like an unavoidable truism. You can't say anything that gets around it.

0 comments

bluegatty3d ago

Great. The system does what it does.

It's not 'destroying society'.

Not remotely in, any sense.

Many people seem to like Facebook. It's not really not causing harm, they are a minor nuisance at worst ... that you can avoid by ... not using it.

Open AI makes AI that you can use to do whatever.

That's mostly it.

propstober3d ago

yes and yes. a system can fulfill it’s function while simultaneously having massive impacts on society. we are only now experiencing the consequences of social media running rampant.

Jensson3d ago

Progress have massive impacts on society, printing press was running rampant and caused massive issues, protests, civil wars and in the end democracy. Historically giving people more access to information and communication has always been a good thing even if it caused problems short term.

propstober3d ago

equating social media and the printing press is tempting but reductive. esp with massive profit incentives, social media is often built for retention and conversion rather than for informative purposes. esp within the modern context. it is not a black and white picture. social media can exist responsibly. just because a technology represents "progress" there is much we can and should pay attention to. just blanket dismissing regulation and criticism for the sake of progress is lazy.

I highly encourage you to read: https://jonathanhaidt.com/social-media/

bluegatty3d ago

social media is not running rampant, and, social media is only a tiny fragment of 'the industry'.

blackjack_3d ago

Facebook literally heavily contributed or at minimum enabled and amplified at least one genocide (2017 Myanmar). That is the total opposite of "really not causing harm".

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

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bluegatty3d ago

Great. The system does what it does.

It's not 'destroying society'.

Not remotely in, any sense.

Many people seem to like Facebook. It's not really not causing harm, they are a minor nuisance at worst ... that you can avoid by ... not using it.

Open AI makes AI that you can use to do whatever.

That's mostly it.

propstober3d ago

yes and yes. a system can fulfill it’s function while simultaneously having massive impacts on society. we are only now experiencing the consequences of social media running rampant.

Jensson3d ago

propstober3d ago

I highly encourage you to read: https://jonathanhaidt.com/social-media/

bluegatty3d ago

social media is not running rampant, and, social media is only a tiny fragment of 'the industry'.

blackjack_3d ago

Facebook literally heavily contributed or at minimum enabled and amplified at least one genocide (2017 Myanmar). That is the total opposite of "really not causing harm".

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse