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Is Mark Zuckerberg The World’s First “Digital Dictator”?

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Is Mark Zuckerberg The World’s First “Digital Dictator”?


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Facebook is enormous, bigger than 99.9% of countries, and Mark Zuckerberg is unequivocally its leader. Does this make him a dictator?


Richard Goodwin

08:15, 1 Jun 2016

Mark Zuckerberg has been described as the first internet dictator by Pirate Bay founder Peter Sunde. And the guy has a point too. Facebook’s growth over the years makes Apple’s and Google’s look average. The social network is now a global social network in every respect, with more users than most country’s populations.

Facebook and its assets, which now include WhatsApp and Instagram, is the biggest online entity of its kind in existence, a place that is home to billions of people, and Mark Zuckerberg sits right at the top, calling the shots. Put in that context, Sunde definitely has a point.

Speaking with CNBC at a conference organised by The Next Web in Amsterdam, Sunde said: “Facebook is the biggest nation in the world and we have a dictator, if you look at it from a democracy standpoint. Mark Zuckerberg is a dictator. I did not elect him. He sets the rules.”

And despite assertions to the contrary, Facebook’s growth is showing no signs of slowing down. The company recently destroyed analyst expectations during its Q4 2015 earnings call with increases in profits, users and revenues across the board. The Zuck also highlighted a bunch of stats and figures, which included:

  • 100 million hours of video watched per day
  • 1 billion users on Groups
  • 80 million users on Facebook Lite
  • 500 million users on Events
  • 123 million events created in 2015
  • 50 million small and medium sized business on Pages

Does this make Mark Zuckerberg a dictator? Does being successful with his social network make him the same as Stalin, Pal Pot and Castro? I’m going to say NO IT DOES NOT. For starters, a dictator, by definition, rules without mandate of the people. They dictate. And last time I checked Facebook is voluntary — you don’t need to be a part of anything to do with Zuckerberg’s empire. Just as you can use Bing instead of Google.

However, according to Sunde, this isn’t possible because he misses invitations to parties, loses contact with friends and people stop talking to you. And while this might be true, it hardly makes Mark Zuckerberg an evil overlord. You’re free to write letters and call your family and friends on the phone.

I do understand what he’s saying, I really do. Facebook is a thing and life is just easier if you have an account. But by doing this you are directly contributing the rise and sustainability of the Zuckerberg empire.

But surely if this is indeed the case then surely that makes Facebook rather useful? If something is integral to your life then it becomes more than just a service. This is where Zuckerberg’s business becomes so successful. It’s also why he bought Instagram and WhatsApp — because they’re integral to millions of people’s lives.

I get the point that Sunde is making, though: Mark Zuckerberg is fast becoming THE controller of the Internet. He sits at the top of the three most used web applications on the planet. Zuckerberg is a big deal. So much so that heads of states — Obama and Merkel, for instance — actually treat him as if he is a political leader, which, I agree, is kind of weird.

Sunde says the EU should take a harder line with Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg. I don’t know if I agree with this, but I do understand why some people are concerned about the level of influence Facebook now has in billions of people’s lives.

What’s your opinion on all this? Is The Zuck REALLY a dictator? Or is he just some guy that got lucky in college and is now one of the most powerful men in the world?

News

Fb is gigantic, larger than 99.9% of nations, and Mark Zuckerberg is unequivocally its chief. Does this make him a dictator?

Richard Goodwin 08:15, 1 Jun 2016

Mark Zuckerberg has been described as the primary web dictator by way of Pirate Bay founder Peter Sunde. And the fellow has some degree too. Fb’s expansion through the years makes Apple’s and Google’s glance moderate. The social community is now an international social community in each and every recognize, with extra customers than maximum nation’s populations.

Fb and its belongings, which now come with WhatsApp and Instagram, is the largest on-line entity of its type in lifestyles, a spot this is house to billions of other folks, and Mark Zuckerberg sits proper on the most sensible, calling the photographs. Installed that context, Sunde unquestionably has some degree.

Speaking with CNBC at a convention organised through The Subsequent Internet in Amsterdam, Sunde stated: “Fb is the largest country on the planet and we've got a dictator, for those who take a look at it from a democracy perspective. Mark Zuckerberg is a dictator. I didn't elect him. He units the principles.”

And in spite of assertions on the contrary, Fb’s expansion is appearing no indicators of slowing down. The corporate lately destroyed analyst expectancies right through its This fall 2015 profits name with will increase in income, customers and revenues around the board. The Zuck additionally highlighted a host of stats and figures, which incorporated:

  • 100 million hours of video watched consistent with day
  • 1 billion customers on Teams
  • 80 million customers on Fb Lite
  • 500 million customers on Occasions
  • 123 million occasions created in 2015
  • 50 million small and medium sized industry on Pages

Does this make Mark Zuckerberg a dictator? Does being a success together with his social community make him the similar as Stalin, Good friend Pot and Castro? I’m going to mention NO IT DOES NOT. For starters, a dictator, through definition, regulations with out mandate of the folk. They dictate. And final time I checked Fb is voluntary — you don’t want to be part of anything else to do with Zuckerberg’s empire. Simply as you'll be able to use Bing as an alternative of Google.

On the other hand, in line with Sunde, this isn’t imaginable as a result of he misses invites to events, loses touch with pals and folks prevent speaking to you. And whilst this may well be true, it hardly ever makes Mark Zuckerberg an evil overlord. You’re loose to put in writing letters and phone your friends and family at the phone.

I do perceive what he’s pronouncing, I in point of fact do. Fb is a factor and lifestyles is simply more uncomplicated if in case you have an account. However via doing this you're at once contributing the upward push and sustainability of the Zuckerberg empire.

However without a doubt if that is certainly the case then definitely that makes Fb somewhat helpful? If one thing is integral on your lifestyles then it turns into greater than only a carrier. That is the place Zuckerberg’s industry turns into such a success. It’s additionally why he purchased Instagram and WhatsApp — as a result of they’re integral to hundreds of thousands of folks’s lives.

I am getting the purpose that Sunde is making, although: Mark Zuckerberg is rapid changing into THE controller of the Web. He sits on the most sensible of the 3 maximum used internet programs on the earth. Zuckerberg is a huge deal. Such a lot in order that heads of states — Obama and Merkel, as an example — if truth be told deal with him as though he's a political chief, which, I agree, is more or less bizarre.

Sunde says the EU will have to take a more difficult line with Fb and Mark Zuckerberg. I don’t know if I accept as true with this, however I do perceive why some individuals are involved concerning the degree of affect Fb now has in billions of other folks’s lives.

What’s your opinion on all this? Is The Zuck REALLY a dictator? Or is he just a few man that were given fortunate in school and is now one of the tough males on the earth?

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