Whether you regard Facebook as a beneficial, benign or sinister force in media, your vision probably rests in part on the value of all that data the digital behemoth has about us.
At least 10 Facebook posts this week by me, or posts on my wall by friends, have included some combination of the words Royals, Mets, World, Series, baseball and #TakeTheCrown. And I’ve “liked” many more posts and comments by friends who share my excitement and interest about the World Series. And my profile photo on Facebook shows me wearing a Royals hat. That’s a lot of data telling Facebook what I might have been planning to do tonight.
I do show some political interest on Facebook as well. But any posts I’ve made about the current crop of Republican presidential have been critical or sarcastic in nature and tone.
But when I went to Facebook tonight (to post something about the World Series), Facebook suggested I let my friends know I’m watching the Republican debate. Um. no.
I’m not worried or optimistic that Facebook knows what to do with all that user data it has.
Earlier posts about Facebook
(starting with one just two days ago):
Facebook sucks, except when it doesn’t, like on my birthday
Updated tips for Facebook engagement by newsrooms
Lots of precedent for media dependence on Facebook, including cautionary tales
Why does Facebook keep ignoring my choice of ‘most recent’ posts?
‘Remember when?’ photos have great engagement potential
Facebook engagement lesson: ‘It’s about community’
Community fun drives Facebook engagement
Jeff Edelstein’s Sandy engagement shows how to use Facebook during a big story
Facebook news-feed changes mean newsrooms need new engagement strategies
Facebook engagement tips already working for Register Citizen, Middletown Press
Correction on AP photos: Newsrooms don’t have rights to post them on Facebook
Why does Bill Keller write about Facebook without trying to understand it?
Facebook engagement tips: Use breaking news photos and calls to action
Engage on community Facebook pages, not just your page
Romeo and Juliet on Facebook: great fun and community engagement
Reach out through Facebook to gather information on tragic stories
Apparently not yet having filled my personal quota of snark, and not being a big baseball fan anyway, I’m watching the debate. Should the gov’t get involved in regulating fantasy sports? (You see what I just did there??). Christie’s trying to answer questions, the rest babble & kvetch about somebody getting more time…….. Idiots abound!!!! Where’s Bernie???
Sent from my iPad mini
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Like Facebook, John, you seem not to understand that I don’t care. 🙂 Royals lead 4-1 in the sixth, if you were wondering.
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I wasn’t asked by Facebook, perhaps because I was on mobile and not a desktop, but it was impossible not to see information about it. It was in my metro area, to be fair. I simply stayed home and out of the way for the evening.
I think you should discuss politics at the editorial table. Is it necessary for us to declare ourselves if it differs greatly from those occupying the other seats at the table?
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Thanks for the suggestion. I don’t have a lot of editorial-board experience, but still might blog about this. Is that what you’re suggesting, or are you addressing political discussions among editors handling news coverage?
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Both. I attend the editorial meeting each week but I do not feel comfortable discussing my own politics at work. They ask but then use it as an argument in future discussions. “You wouldn’t understand. You’re not even a fan of my favorite candidate.” Kind of comments. I want to know if I should continue to keep mum or speak up.
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Can I get more context? I haven’t experienced discussions like you describe. Newspaper newsroom? What size? What are the jobs of the people in the room? U.S. newsroom or some other country? This post might be helpful: https://stevebuttry.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/questions-and-answers-about-journalists-opinions-in-social-media/
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[…] of my blogs, plus a seventh that I waited till Thursday to post: I wrote about journalism ethics, Facebook and watchdog reporting on this blog; comebacks and Eric Hosmer on Hated Yankees and my slow […]
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