Friday November 1, 2019; 9:14 AM EDT
- Most journalistic pieces about Facebook view it as an online bulletin board with nightmarish advertising that's getting worse every day. For what it's worth, that's not how I experience it. The only political ads i see are from Democratic candidates who want money. Harmless and easily ignored. #
In the last year I've started using a private group for Woodstock residents. It's a very civil place where people do the kinds of things towns do. #- There are quite a few Republicans, occasionally someone says something inflammatory about Trump, but that's moved out the main discussion quickly. #
- I think people have an interest in civility because eventually you'll see most of them face-to-face, at the post office, grocery, in a park, on the new rail trail, a local restaurant, party. That is a real force for civility. #
- Anyway, there's no question that it works, and it's worth it. #
- I've started to create my own private groups. #
- I know it's in a silo, against my religion, but on the other hand, it's where the people are. Some things are more important than silos vs open systems. #
- So when journalists write about FB as if it's a black and white thing, they aren't really doing their job. And their editors don't create room for other views, and they aren't doing their jobs either. #