http://observer.com/2016/08/tech-compani...eat-trump/

The silicon valley conglomerate is working to rule/rig the election, if it can.

They're private companies. They can do as they please, right? If we say corporations are people, then they're free to do as they please to showcase their political leanings.

If conservatives are upset, they should blame themselves for not developing dominant tech companies to rival their liberal counterparts.

(08-12-2016 08:52 AM)Niner National Wrote:  They're private companies. They can do as they please, right? If we say corporations are people, then they're free to do as they please to showcase their political leanings.

If conservatives are upset, they should blame themselves for not developing dominant tech companies to rival their liberal counterparts.

I think there is an argument that can be made where companies that are in the business of being an ISP or a conveyer of information like a search engine or social media platform are treading into the realm of the utilities. If either the Dems or the GOP end up with too much influence with these types of companies, I'd be OK with seeing them regulated so that neither party secures too much power.

(08-12-2016 11:34 AM)miko33 Wrote:  

(08-12-2016 08:52 AM)Niner National Wrote:  They're private companies. They can do as they please, right? If we say corporations are people, then they're free to do as they please to showcase their political leanings.

If conservatives are upset, they should blame themselves for not developing dominant tech companies to rival their liberal counterparts.

I think there is an argument that can be made where companies that are in the business of being an ISP or a conveyer of information like a search engine or social media platform are treading into the realm of the utilities. If either the Dems or the GOP end up with too much influence with these types of companies, I'd be OK with seeing them regulated so that neither party secures too much power.

If they're an ISP, I agree, but I don't agree for a search engine or social media platform.

New ones pop up all the time, it not Google, Facebook, or Twitter's fault that nobody else is putting out a quality rival product. 10 years ago, MySpace was popular. Facebook dethroned it.

Nothing preventing a conservative group from doing the same.

If you want to go the utilities route for something like a piece of software, you can make the argument that the oil conglomerates are utilities as well as they're vital to so many industries in America. If Google and other tech conglomerates can't influence voters, then oil companies shouldn't be allowed to lobby with billions each year.

We don't live in a fair and equitable world. Conservatives loooooooove pushing this message, but when digital media isn't fair and equitable we hear relentless whining about the liberal media. Follow the advice you always throw at poor people. If you don't like it, fix it on your own, but don't take from someone else.

That's a drop the mic post Niner Nat.....

The problem, as I see it, is that the people who lean on social media as their information source, are probably the least capable of forming an independent opinion. Therefore, almost by definition, they are more susceptible to manipulation by "trending" than average voters. They likely have never produced a unique thought in their lives. That's just the way it is.