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FB brought on the guy who replaced karl rove in the bush admin to appease cons. he went on to make the algos push hard-right content and protect hard-right outlets from mod action.
— Lord Protector of the Anarchist Jurisdiction (@IAmGryphoneer) September 27, 2020
the "it's just basic human psychological bias and social trends" excuse is bullshit. https://t.co/ZHVvA2tehF
This whole article was based off an anon FB exec. Why give them anonymity in the first place on this topic? https://t.co/NxmNd0n6Z0
— Ryan Mac ? (@RMac18) September 26, 2020
That makes it sound like Facebook is optimized for fascism https://t.co/dsmEb35ctx
— Christopher Ingraham (@_cingraham) September 26, 2020
NEW: Why are right-wing FB pages so popular?
— Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) September 26, 2020
A Facebook exec argues the msg is just more visceral: "Right wing populism is always more engaging...Nation, protection, the other, anger, fear. That was there in the 30s. That's not invented by social media"https://t.co/RpC8sldXsx
This is a really convoluted way to say it appeals to white grievance and supremacy. https://t.co/NdZUJO0mW2
— Blake Chastain (@brchastain) September 26, 2020
Right-wing Pages are popular because:
— Alex Howard (@digiphile) September 26, 2020
A) @Facebook is exposed to antitrust sanction after abusing market power
B) “Working the ref” works
C) Far-right content is more engaging, as “in the ‘30s”
D) Newsfeed code favors engaging media
E) All of the abovehttps://t.co/w234DcZg0z pic.twitter.com/cPshqiRjkC
History is a bummer to SV https://t.co/853FjdCl89
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) September 27, 2020
“Hitler was really charismatic” <shrug emoji> is an actual argument Facebook is deploying to justify why your feed favors far-right sources. https://t.co/w0RLOkS0zJ
— Susan J. Demas ? (@sjdemas) September 26, 2020
That’s why people need to vote! We are running the largest voter registration campaign in history right now. Democracy is the solution. Sometimes I think people on here think it is the problem...
— Boz (@boztank) September 26, 2020
The whole point of society and government is literally to blunt the "primitive emotions" that hold us back as a group, congratulations to Facebook for working to destroy that concept
— Leigh Drogen (@LDrogen) September 26, 2020
Imagine being cynical enough to work at Facebook today https://t.co/BQsc8tl2PP
So Facebook is a machine designed to pour gasoline on developing fascist movements. Got it. https://t.co/LhiejNxHQu
— Robert McNees (@mcnees) September 27, 2020
Facebook says that it’s algorithm is neutral but the right-wing is just BETTER at connecting with people on a “visceral level.”
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) September 26, 2020
But it was HUMANS at Facebook who CHOSE to make their algorithm favor content that elicits visceral emotions https://t.co/BVnUBnlbpJ
What does this person have to lose by saying this on the record? What position of power are they in? What kind of cover are you providing them as a news outlet? pic.twitter.com/VilcYk5iRy
— Ryan Mac ? (@RMac18) September 26, 2020
Looks like a major escalation; America may be effectively crippling the entire Chinese semi and telecom industries. Trump clearly wants a trade war in October as an emblem of his toughness https://t.co/jrcWcO2L0e
— Tero Kuittinen (@teroterotero) September 26, 2020
There is nothing natural or inevitable about the affordances and priorities of platforms (cf https://t.co/CIukldO2PQ)
— evelyn douek (@evelyndouek) September 27, 2020
Don't take it from me—here's Zuckerberg in 2018:https://t.co/OEJR2T9CPs pic.twitter.com/z4tfoqMDj3
Starting to get the feeling that Facebook is more focused on public relations than fixing any of the underlying incentives on its platform.... https://t.co/xIFUHQFSmb
— William Turton (@WilliamTurton) September 26, 2020
Absolutely spot on from both @mariaressa & @brianstelter.
— Carole Cadwalladr (@carolecadwalla) September 27, 2020
'We have to hold the line. We have to hold the line. It is not a partisan issue to defend democracy' @mariaressa more than anyone knows what's at stake https://t.co/zXocUXVxia
some people pointed out the that "1930's" quote wasn't in the piece. That was just a late night back-and-forth edits slip-up. It is back in the story now. https://t.co/RpC8sldXsx pic.twitter.com/h6i2AYkLjb
— Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) September 26, 2020
Not sure defending themselves with the 1930s was @Facebook’s best call here. https://t.co/RJtc8yhpsq
— Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) September 26, 2020
I’m not sure anyone argues the algorithm “favors conservatives.” But perhaps the fact that the algorithm rewards outrage content (often built on dishonest premises) is a problem! https://t.co/Z21B3KZ60q pic.twitter.com/YGUpnw39Vm
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) September 26, 2020
Whether by accident or design, unnamed FB exec confirms what critics have been saying: FB algos amplify optimized for fear, outrage. Hate, disinfo, conspiracy theories trigger flight or fight, which cannot be ignored. Structural advantage to right wing. https://t.co/uc3VisCHrt
— Roger McNamee (@Moonalice) September 26, 2020
Jesus Christ. When your argument is the Nazis would have been good at Facebook, too.... https://t.co/i2DehSKbWv
— Donie O'Sullivan (@donie) September 26, 2020
Ah yes, the 1930s, a golden age of information in which promoting angry nationalism and engaging narratives about “the other” famously created no problems whatsoever. https://t.co/QcwPVjvGzc
— Kevin Roose (@kevinroose) September 26, 2020
And, as @JuddLegum points out, these are decisions being made by people. Perhaps not directly (although some definitely are) but by an algorithm designed by people.
— Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) September 26, 2020
This algorithm prioritizes engagement far more than facts or substantive discussion. https://t.co/n6vCsR1efV
This is akin to saying human nature favors fascism and irrationality. It’s irresponsible and untrue.
— Greg Jaffe (@GregJaffe) September 26, 2020
You can choose who gets to use your damn megaphone. Infuriating. https://t.co/a9WJuPtCii
Honestly any white nationalist message board would use this same defense. https://t.co/MM5eSOrZV4
— Jesse Lee (@JesseCharlesLee) September 26, 2020
Facebook is "biased against facts," @mariaressa tells @brianstelter.
— Donie O'Sullivan (@donie) September 27, 2020
"I worry that you can't have integrity of elections if you don't have integrity of facts and right now you don't have that." pic.twitter.com/InRxkiQsjC
what kind of evo psych BS is this https://t.co/l6yCMUitUS argues Facebook is neutral but users have a "primitive" pull towards the reactionary content the site promotes pic.twitter.com/i1bhoUbFRz
— nathanjurgenson (@nathanjurgenson) September 27, 2020
Seems like Chris Cox needs to invite in @fturner to speak again and explain the entire WWII & 1940s-era movement of American technologists, policymakers and artists who collaborated to deliberately create a media & voter environment that was more resistant to authoritarianism. https://t.co/qLUpslP3LA
— Kim-Mai Cutler (@kimmaicutler) September 26, 2020
This is the lamest defense of Facebook's inner workings i've ever read.
— Alex B ? (@somospostpc) September 26, 2020
When you control the visibility algorithms and the UX, you can change so your users don't make a fool of themselves by sharing pure rage in it. https://t.co/z7zBMjrpOU pic.twitter.com/O0uQ6qTb7k
While platforms abdicated responsibility to protect the public, journalists do our jobs under hostile circumstances. Look forward to working with @carolecadwalla @shoshanazuboff @MarietjeSchaake @ruha9 @IlvesToomas @safiyanoble @DamianCollins @moonalice ++ https://t.co/1HOTu7nydf https://t.co/e4sLDoNPb1
— Maria Ressa (@mariaressa) September 27, 2020
This is shoddy logic from the Facebook executive. Humans design the Facebook algorithm, and "engagement" isn't some intrisic quality but one defined by Facebook engineers.https://t.co/CI4lk0po8V pic.twitter.com/xDyPnKuW3c
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) September 26, 2020
under no condition would I, or any responsible journalist, ever agree to quote a "Facebook executive" without their name.
— Dell Cameron (@dellcam) September 26, 2020
nothing about this is credible https://t.co/32h5oiNuXA pic.twitter.com/evQYomijQP
This is fine as an explanation but why spend your life working for a company whose business is based on this? https://t.co/2CdUAD6IEI
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) September 26, 2020
This fits neatly into my theory that there simply is no good, healthy version of Facebook that could possibly exist. https://t.co/rq9NDy8WKI
— Jordan Weissmann (@JHWeissmann) September 27, 2020
Imagine comparing yourself to people who aided and abetted the rise of global fascism in the 30s as your *defense* https://t.co/4rCUqvA4Hb
— Rob Flaherty (@Rob_Flaherty) September 26, 2020
One of the best ways to focus people's brains is to stimulate their amygdalas by frightening them. A frightened brain focuses like a laser on the source of the fear. Critical thinking is shut down in favor of "fight or flight."
— Kellum Dander (@kellumdander) September 27, 2020
This is why conservatism sells. https://t.co/BZKYTJGs6u
Facebook has long held that its news feed is merely a mirror, showing people what they want — as if the design choices of the feed, the amplifying power of the network, and the biases embedded in the algorithms don't exist
— Hamza Shaban (@hshaban) September 26, 2020
An unnamed FB exec doubles down https://t.co/8Se6o517dT
I’m old enough to remember when Facebook had to change it’s algorithm bc @upworthy was dominating the platform and they cut us off at the knees overnight.
— Adam Mordecai (@advodude) September 27, 2020
They have a selective ideology memory. https://t.co/VZPQAZ2Oo5
Social media's design and algorithms build in divisiveness, us vs them, and depending on the use of microtargeting and custom audiences, insidiously manipulate us https://t.co/qCJm7kbrvs https://t.co/MaA2kmGJ87
— Maria Ressa (@mariaressa) September 27, 2020
A question for the anon FB exec: You stated right wing populist content is popular because it is based on fear. Given that Facebook understands that, why does the platform amplify and capitalize on content based on fear?
— Ryan Mac ? (@RMac18) September 26, 2020
"It's why tabloids do better than @FT and it's also a human thing. People respond to engaging emotion much more than they do to, you know, dry coverage." >> sounds like N Clegg... https://t.co/LbUgsZCDw7
— α∂яιαη (@amonck) September 27, 2020
Facebook: "Why is Russian propaganda so popular on our site? Is it our PsyOp algorithm? Jeez, we don't know - people just like what they like."
— Eric Garland (@ericgarland) September 26, 2020
It's Russian malware. Regulate them out of existence. https://t.co/U0UylBsAvT
Social media is not simply a reflection of society, particularly when it has the power to amplify or suppress.
— Ryan Mac ? (@RMac18) September 26, 2020
It’s wild that a whole article was based on this. Not to mention there is no explanation in the piece of why they were granted anonymity.
“That was there in the 30s,“ says Facebook of the white supremacy and extremism to which it gives an unparalleled platform. https://t.co/grXWVselqL
— Amy Spitalnick (@amyspitalnick) September 27, 2020
Facebook says that it’s algorithm is neutral but the right-wing is just BETTER at connecting with people on a “visceral level.”
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) September 26, 2020
But it was HUMANS at Facebook who CHOSE to make their algorithm favor content that elicits visceral emotions https://t.co/BVnUBnlbpJ
Instead of taking responsibility for accelerating polarization and amplifying propaganda and misinformation, the Facebook exec tries to blame progressives for not also exploiting Facebook's network to spread their own propaganda and misinformation. https://t.co/8Se6o517dT pic.twitter.com/IyT6mguh2k
— Hamza Shaban (@hshaban) September 26, 2020
NEW: Why are right-wing FB pages so popular?
— Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) September 26, 2020
A Facebook exec argues the msg is just more visceral: "Right wing populism is always more engaging...Nation, protection, the other, anger, fear. That was there in the 30s. That's not invented by social media"https://t.co/RpC8sldXsx
Whether by accident or design, unnamed FB exec confirms what critics have been saying: FB algos amplify optimized for fear, outrage. Hate, disinfo, conspiracy theories trigger flight or fight, which cannot be ignored. Structural advantage to right wing. https://t.co/uc3VisCHrt
— Roger McNamee (@Moonalice) September 26, 2020
The most important article you can read today. Facebook offers GOP a structural advantage because "right-wing populism is always more engaging." Which is why functional democracies counteract it--or pay a terrible price. https://t.co/3fv9SkLoP6
— Anne Nelson (@anelsona) September 27, 2020
I read this article and all I get is...
— michael the conservador (@theconservador) September 27, 2020
THE LEFT CAN'T MEME
Great read! https://t.co/gqvJooYfuu
BIG TECH: @Facebook exec: conservative content speaks "to primitive emotion"! Left media and allies desperate to have @facebook further suppress conservative content and competitors! https://t.co/h0zLWHin7Y via @politico
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) September 26, 2020
This whole article was based off an anon FB exec. Why give them anonymity in the first place on this topic? https://t.co/NxmNd0n6Z0
— Ryan Mac ? (@RMac18) September 26, 2020
Fascism and hate-mongering is a strong revenue stream. But when it's taken as a given that capitalism is inevitable, then hate is also seen as inevitable. #MammonMachine https://t.co/4uRDxnEAj8
— Norman Rafferty (@NormanRafferty) September 27, 2020
"Facebook is not a mirror[… It's}an accelerant"
— Finding Veracity (@FindingVeracity) September 26, 2020
FB exec says "Right-wing populism […speaks to] an incredibly strong, primitive emotion" touching on charged language of "nation, protection, the other, anger, fear" (& FB spreads it to millions)https://t.co/3lPLq5jszd#wtpBlue
Why the right-wing has a massive advantage on Facebook https://t.co/oEkr5bhgDq via @politico >><> Sorry. Not buying.
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) September 27, 2020
Facebook, which knowingly colludes with far-right disinformation outlets and hate sites to spread fascism in America and throughout the world, is now saying the results are fine because nationalist hysteria erupted in the runup to the Holocaust as well.https://t.co/3eVt5I0Mk4 pic.twitter.com/PDBpcvau9P
— Eli Valley (@elivalley) September 26, 2020
Why the right-wing has a massive advantage on Facebook - POLITICO https://t.co/2A7kvGWAxr
— Evan Kirstel #RemoteWork (@EvanKirstel) September 27, 2020