[po]

Historically, those who controlled the media controlled the message. If you're the only one with a printing press, you control what people read. Same with radio. Same with TV.

But what happens when everyone can put their message in front of a lot of people? When the playing field is level? When everyone has a printing press, the ones with the best ideas are the ones people listen to. Influence can no longer be owned. It must be earned

Man, Zuckerberg would be rolling over in his grave if he saw what happened in the following years and our current engagement/algorithmically-driven media ecosystem.

I find this book to be a bit sad. I do believe they were trying to do all of this stuff but it definitely went off the rails.

[squigz]

I think Zuckerberg is still alive and well aware of the current landscape.

[momoschili]

I think he was replaced by a robot at some point and is now in Cuba with JFK and Tupac

[0x3444ac53]

Whether or not Zuckerberg himself is alive (he is), this version of him is long dead. One of the sad realities of life under capitalism is that even if you go into something idealistic, hopeful, kind even, is that once it hits a certain scale the only thing you can do is succumb to some kind of greed.

Even if you yourself try to resist, you'll be beat down by market forces until eventually you either give it all up and let someone else do the evil, or discard the idealism and say "That's just the way it is!" and look back on your idealism with shame and grief.

Makes me sad too

[dartharva]

I wouldn't be so hasty in giving out such judgements, especially when Zuck is the only one among all big tech magnates to push for Open Source AI and LLMs.

[po]

Whether or not Zuckerberg himself is alive (he is), this version of him is long dead.

Yes, that was the joke that apparently wasn't obvious enough. :-)