Scientists funded by Zuckerberg sent him a letter calling Facebook's practices 'antithetical' to his

[alp227]

Source: The Washington Post

More than 140 scientists funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) — a philanthropic organization founded by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan — sent Zuckerberg a letter Saturday calling the social media site’s lax policy enforcement around inaccurate information and incendiary language contrary to CZI’s mission to “build a healthier, just, and more inclusive future.”

The list of signatories includes professors from more than 60 leading research institutions, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California San Francisco (UCSF), as well as one Nobel laureate.

“As scientists, we are dedicated to investigating ways to better our world,” the letter says. “The spread of deliberate misinformation and divisive language is directly antithetical to this goal and we are therefore deeply concerned at the stance Facebook has taken,” on policing content.

The letter calls out one policy stance in particular: Zuckerberg’s decision to allow President Trump to post, “when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” on Facebook’s platform, a reference to the protests around the country following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. The scientists argue that the message clearly flouts the company’s rules against inciting violence.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/06/06/chan-zuckerberg-initiative-open-letter-trump/

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The letter can be read in full here via dropbox.

[PSPS]

1. But ... but ... $$$$$$$ and, now, ₽₽₽₽₽₽₽₽₽₽₽₽₽₽ (rubles)

[Northof American]

2. Facebook is Damaging Society

[we can do it]

14. wish I could rec this.

[canetoad]

3. There are still people on DU

And in the wider community who offer a half-hearted defence of Facebook because they are too lazy to explore other options of communication. They are the ones who 'only use Facebook for good'. I call bullshit.

Zuckerberg must be starved of contributors, advertisers and funds. I personally, am sick to death of folk who think it applies to everyone but themselves.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. I don't know what it takes since all the revelations regarding Cambridge Analytica were posted here

[canetoad]

6. OMG Rhiannon

I was so glad to see your name on the reply.

I can't help being vehement in my dislike of Facebook and have had the indignity of having a post hidden for slamming its users. Really didn't feel like arguing over fucking Zuckerberg.

Facebook has had its day. Zuck fails to recognise that with great power comes great responsibility. It's a safe home for bots, propagandists, white supremacists and political foes.

How can anyone put convenience and habit over allowing this to propagate?

[Rhiannon12866]

8. I don't get it, either

DUers pride themselves on being informed - and any information that they needed about the dangers was posted ad infinitum right here. But then I never got it, who in their right mind would be okay with having their real name and location - let alone photos - right out there on the world wide web for anyone at all to see?? We use screen names here for a reason and most DUers don't add much info to their profiles. When I first joined DU I was warned about putting myself out there and initially I was scared to death...

[we can do it]

15. Too lazy and in denial that they contribute to the destruction of our country.

[alp227]

16. Well, DU has its own facebook page

with over 90,000 followers: https://www.facebook.com/democraticunderground

Realistically, a standalone website isn't enough for most businesses in the social media era.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

7. The good side of America needs to let go of Facebook.

It's outlived its original, simple mission. Facebook is slowly drifting toward being just another right-wing media and propaganda outlet. The right corrupts and pollutes everything it touches.

We've seen it time after time where something that starts as a good thing becomes a fad and then is turned evil by the infusion of corporations and wingnuts on the right along with Russian trolls and bots with on-line media. Think of what they've done to parts of cable TV and talk radio starting decades ago.

I believe communities are mentally and emotionally healthier when communicating and socializing face-to-face or by phone.

KY.......

[JudyM]

13. This: Facebook is ... just another right-wing media and propaganda outlet.

[BigOleDummy]

9. Its easy

I stopped using facebook many years ago, even before the Cambridge Analytica crap came out. Its easy! There's no excuse in my opinion to keep using it. Or Twitter for that matter. Need to keep up with your family? There's a wonderful new invention called a "telephone" it actually lets you TALK with those relatives! Imagine that. Email is also a way to keep up with people you care about for all you out there on the cutting edge of technology. The U.S. Postal Service could use a few extra bucks also if its not super important or time sensitive. ( time sensitive in the sense of minutes instead of a day or two)

Only half sorry for the snark btw but I can think of no real good reason to keep using such a horrible divisive site.

[canetoad]

10. Agree completely

Or you could actually walk round the corner and have a cup of tea.

I believe two things keep Facebook going:

1. Voyeurism

2. Convenience. This is a double whammy; most folk can no longer set up a room in irc, buy internet storage to set up a forum, or even reformat and reload their own machine (let alone pull out the HDD and replace it). The devices on which we communicate have become a black-box mystery to their users. They just want them to work.

Technology is moving faster than the minds that use it most. Democracy of the loudest and most persistent.

[JudyM]

12. Also ego/insecurity is a big driver... it's a forum to brag.

[CincyDem]

11. Never forget. FB was founded to steal images from the registers office and rate girls hot or not.

That’s what you need to know about who MZ is at the core. Being a billionaire doesn’t cure being an opportunistic misogynistic little shit.

[VarryOn]

17. I've been off FB for over two years...

and when someone learns I dont have an account because they want to send me something, they look at me like I have a horn growing out of my head!

My life is quite complete without it, and now that we are in political season, I'm especially glad I dont have it. One, I dont have to deal with the temptations of spouting off and risking friendships. Two, I dont have to be reminded most of my friends and family are wrong politically! In this case, ignorance is better.

Plus, the less FB knows about me, the better!