Facebook passes one billion users

[Slavoj Zizek's Balls]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19816709


Facebook now has more than one billion people using it every month, the company has said.

The passing of the milestone was announced by founder Mark Zuckerberg on US television on Thursday.

The company said that those billion users were to date responsible for 1.13 trillion "likes", 219 billion photos and 17 billion location check-ins.

The site, which was launched in 2004, is now looking towards emerging markets to build its user base further.

"If you're reading this: thank you for giving me and my little team the honor of serving you," Mr Zuckerberg wrote in a status update.

"Helping a billion people connect is amazing, humbling and by far the thing I am most proud of in my life."

What are your views on this (related to politics ofc)?

[TheRedAnarchist23]

I have never used facebook in my life.
Some people only register on the site for some few days, then stop using it.

[DasFapital]

if it means information can be disseminated more easily than I am all for it. If it means our personal data is gonna be gather and sold to government agencies and corporations then I am less enthusiastic. Like most technology it is a double edged sword.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

If they really have over a billion users, then that in itself is an impressive feat. That would mean that one person out of every seven on this planet has a Facebook account.

What are the global figures for internet usage in general? Does anyone know?

[Slavoj Zizek's Balls]

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm

6,930,055,154 - Population of the entire world.
2,267,233,742 - People who utilise the internet.

6/2 = 3

One third of people in the entire world use the internet and one sixth are on Facebook.

[piet11111]

How many dogs cats and goldfish does this amount include ?

[ComradeOm]

How many dogs cats and goldfish does this amount include ?At least 83 million (http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19093078) 'fake' accountd

[Take The Long Way Home]

One billion sheep under complete control.

[Slavoj Zizek's Balls]

^ cookie for you. That's it isn't it. Approximately 1 billion people that could potentially be controlled.

[bcbm]

cuz not using facebook means youre free:rolleyes:

[Hermes]

I've never used facebook, but only because I only have ~3 friends outside the internet.

[Ele'ill]

On the day facebook collapses so does the Matrix and everything we hold dear to us. Although the upside is that we'll no longer have that stupid farm game (that I never in my right mind even came close to playing a single time e v e r)

[Questionable]

I use Facebook because I can easily contact my friends and organize meet-ups/parties in an organized way.

It has multiple uses, people.

[bcbm]

i play anything that ends in -ville on it

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

I use Facebook because I can easily contact my friends and organize meet-ups/parties in an organized way.

It has multiple uses, people.
I use it in part to network with fellow revolutionaries.

[roy]

One billion sheep under complete control.

lol

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

^ cookie for you. That's it isn't it. Approximately 1 billion people that could potentially be controlled.

How?

[Slavoj Zizek's Balls]

How?

Well I've seen it guilt tripping users to prevent them from leaving, adverts with subliminal messages etc. If I want to leave facebook I do not want a picture of someone with the words "THIS PERSON WILL MISS YOU" on it. I mean really? It's hilarious when it is a person who you never talk to (but they added you because you are from the same area) has the caption "THIS PERSON WILL MISS YOU" above their picture. :laugh:

[Igor]

Well I've seen it guilt tripping users to prevent them from leaving, adverts with subliminal messages etc. If I want to leave facebook I do not want a picture of someone with the words "THIS PERSON WILL MISS YOU" on it. I mean really? It's hilarious when it is a person who you never talk to (but they added you because you are from the same area) has the caption "THIS PERSON WILL MISS YOU" above their picture. :laugh:

how exactly is that "control" tho

[Slavoj Zizek's Balls]

how exactly is that "control" tho

Guilt tripping is an external influence. Usually people leave facebook in a half hearted manner and are drawn straight back, regretting their actions. I have come across this when I was discussing facebook with some colleagues. The guilt tripping overrides their determination to leave without actually offering a logical reason. I would call this control on the basis that my colleagues were unable to resist this and other methods. If you do not wish to call this control, by all means rephrase it! :)

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Well I've seen it guilt tripping users to prevent them from leaving,

I got that when I deleted my MySpace account. Didn't stop me from doing so.


adverts with subliminal messages etc.

First I'd like evidence that Facebook has carried subliminal advertising, and then I'd like evidence that it actually works.

And what is the "etc"?


If I want to leave facebook I do not want a picture of someone with the words "THIS PERSON WILL MISS YOU" on it. I mean really? It's hilarious when it is a person who you never talk to (but they added you because you are from the same area) has the caption "THIS PERSON WILL MISS YOU" above their picture. :laugh:

But how does that actually prevent you from quitting Facebook if that is really what you want?


Guilt tripping is an external influence. Usually people leave facebook in a half hearted manner and are drawn straight back, regretting their actions. I have come across this when I was discussing facebook with some colleagues. The guilt tripping overrides their determination to leave without actually offering a logical reason. I would call this control on the basis that my colleagues were unable to resist this and other methods. If you do not wish to call this control, by all means rephrase it! :)

It's called "persuasion". Some people's minds are more easily changed than others. Also I highly doubt that your circle of friends is a representative sample.

[Slavoj Zizek's Balls]

I got that when I deleted my MySpace account. Didn't stop me from doing so.



First I'd like evidence that Facebook has carried subliminal advertising, and then I'd like evidence that it actually works.

And what is the "etc"?



But how does that actually prevent you from quitting Facebook if that is really what you want?



It's called "persuasion". Some people's minds are more easily changed than others. Also I highly doubt that your circle of friends is a representative sample.

I cannot provide direct evidence for the use of subliminal messages. I can only say that there is a window of opportunity. My wording was incorrect.

The etc refers to any other methods that I cannot at this time mention.

It prevents most people from leaving, considering any issues (that result in them leaving) such as the fact that their information can easily be gathered from them without their knowledge. That is control in my opinion. Channelling them down a few routes which they would not usually question. I can elaborate on this if you so wish, later. I do not have much time at this moment.

Of course my sample is not representative as this is not a long term debate with thoroughly researched evidence. I expect my message to be understood without people trying to invalidate it on a non theoretical basis as this is a forum where we can "Speculate, formulate, deliberate, and repudiate". At some other time, I could chase this up with you.

Sorry if this isn't clear as I am low on time.

[Mao_O]

I never use real info on facebook and I use it mainly to post "anti-capitalist propaganda".

[Lowtech]

I cannot provide direct evidence for the use of subliminal messages. I can only say that there is a window of opportunity. My wording was incorrect.

The etc refers to any other methods that I cannot at this time mention.

It prevents most people from leaving, considering any issues (that result in them leaving) such as the fact that their information can easily be gathered from them without their knowledge. That is control in my opinion. Channelling them down a few routes which they would not usually question. I can elaborate on this if you so wish, later. I do not have much time at this moment.

Of course my sample is not representative as this is not a long term debate with thoroughly researched evidence. I expect my message to be understood without people trying to invalidate it on a non theoretical basis as this is a forum where we can "Speculate, formulate, deliberate, and repudiate". At some other time, I could chase this up with you.

Sorry if this isn't clear as I am low on time.

I completely agree, however the entire internet is vulnerable to this and these subliminal messages you are describing is comercialism. thier motive is money and your information is NEVER safe online, nomatter what website you use unless you protect your information yourself.

Facebook is really a rebranding of email, instant messaging and forums all in one but does none of these things well. In fact, it sucks as any of those things.

[Comrades Unite!]

One billion sheep under complete control.

Aren't you rebellious.;).

[Comrades Unite!]

Facebook can be utilized for contact with other Marxists around the globe( Then again this place is good enough)

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

I cannot provide direct evidence for the use of subliminal messages. I can only say that there is a window of opportunity. My wording was incorrect.

"A window of opportunity" for what?


The etc refers to any other methods that I cannot at this time mention.

It prevents most people from leaving, considering any issues (that result in them leaving) such as the fact that their information can easily be gathered from them without their knowledge. That is control in my opinion.

"Most" people? How do you know that?

Also, failing to tell users about information gathered doesn't count as any kind of "control". I guess one could call it lying by omission, but Facebook's data-gathering activities are hardly a huge secret.


Channelling them down a few routes which they would not usually question. I can elaborate on this if you so wish, later. I do not have much time at this moment.

It would be appreciated, because at the moment you are being vague to the point of uselessness.


Of course my sample is not representative as this is not a long term debate with thoroughly researched evidence. I expect my message to be understood without people trying to invalidate it on a non theoretical basis as this is a forum where we can "Speculate, formulate, deliberate, and repudiate". At some other time, I could chase this up with you.

Sorry if this isn't clear as I am low on time.

There's nothing wrong with speculation, but it's quite another thing to try and pass off anecdotes as authoritative data.

[DasFapital]

I constantly find myself resetting my political and religious views to which ever one has the coolest looking picture with it.