Diabes: Facebook’s power looms amid free-market economy

‘ ‘ Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg and his genius invention, Facebook, a quick status update on my… ‘ ‘ Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg and his genius invention, Facebook, a quick status update on my profile made sure all my ‘friends’ knew exactly what I was doing on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 1:49 a.m.: I was counting the pennies in a jar that sits on my desk. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Because I acknowledge my debt to Facebook for its ability to spread so much vital information at no cost at all, naturally I was overjoyed when I heard they finally found a way for members to reciprocate. Facebook recently changed its privacy policy to clarify that anything ever posted anywhere on the site ‘mdash; including but not limited to wall posts, notes, pictures and private messages ‘mdash; can be used by Facebook however they see fit. Forever. Even if I were to do something as unfounded, isolating and absolutely hysterical as delete my Facebook profile, the kind people there will keep all of my info for their own use. ‘ ‘ ‘ Of course, a slew of users erupted in horror at this change in the law of their digital lives. Many protested and created groups on Facebook like ‘Facebook aka the NSA.’ Some deleted their accounts altogether. I’m not sure what people want out of my close Facebook friend, Mark Zuckerberg. ‘ ‘ ‘ In response, Facebook rescinded the changes. Personally, I upload a lot of artwork and writing. Wouldn’t it be neat to walk into a bookstore someday and see that Facebook decided to collect and produce it all for me? Now, I’ll never get the kind of surprise recognition that I might deserve. It’s like being told a week before your birthday that everyone decided not to plan a surprise party. ‘ ‘ ‘ Yet, there is some hope. Facebook’s terms do state, ‘We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify, add, or delete portions of these Terms of Use at any time without further notice.’ To this effect, Zuckerberg said in a statement, ‘We concluded that returning to our previous terms was the right thing for now.’ Note his words, ‘for now.’ Sooner or later, when things smooth over, they’ll change it back. Good thing their rights override those of the individual. But Facebook obviously knows better anyway, because it knows everyone. ‘ ‘ ‘ When I think back to dark times in the world’s history ‘mdash; Nazi Germany, for example ‘mdash; I cannot help but feel happy and safe. I am so thankful for our glorious free-market economy that has made it so. Time and time again it saved us, giving companies power when popular opinion falters. ‘ ‘ ‘ Companies in laissez-faire economies scoop up all the money, employ us, feed us, pay us ‘mdash; what does the government do anymore? In America, there is simply no room for government as huge corporations already take up all the loyalty. We don’t have to worry about some faceless, greedy, power-hungry government taking away our rights. ‘ ‘ ‘ Superstitious people pointed fingers at Facebook when it changed its policy, calling it names like ‘NSA’ and ‘Big Brother.’ Facebook might have all of our information, keep track of when and what we do and say, watch how we grow and develop, study our facial structures and mannerisms from our pictures and maybe even publish/sell/distribute/use our personal photos and writings as they please without our consent. But, people are forgetting Facebook is a company, not a government. ‘ ‘ ‘ Kings are only out for themselves, not CEOs. Governments enslave, not people with business interests. As much as a company might function as and be more powerful than a government ‘mdash; oh, just stop thinking about it so much and be a Libertarian. What kind of government would busy itself with knowing who your friends are, which ones you talk with about what how often, and what your political and religious beliefs are, anyway? Why not Facebook message me instead this time?’ mad150@pitt.edu.