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Comment by cryptozeus | Hacker News Reader

Non-financially is a big one...they can really determine the outcome of elections here , that is a power they don't want to loose

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> that is a power they don't want to lose What makes you think they want that power in the first place?

Because they get to sell that power (advertising space) to others.

IIRC, Zuck has debated running in the future. Having Facebook with that power would probably benefit.

With the fit everyone threw over Trump having (relatively speaking) minor business connections, I'd hate to see what people would say over Zuckerberg running for any sort of office.

I'm not really sure how to answer that question without just saying how extremely obvious it is that a massive national (and international) company would benefit massively from having influence over USA national politics.

It is equally obvious that there would be an extreme backlash by politicians and regulators if facebook ever decides to (openly) use that power. Also, it would alienate at least half their user base.

In short, why would they even want to be seen as possibly having that power?

Oh, to be clear, I suspect they definitely don't want to be seen as having (or using) that power.

Really ? It is obvious if you see their track record for last few years...I mean the ceo is having private dinner with both wings

It is obvious that the CEO of one of the biggest and most influential companies in the world would have dinner with world leaders.

I'm not sure I see anything that supports your conclusion. Have you considered what evidence would make you change your mind?

Power doesn't just fall into people's laps, and normally those who don't want power falling into their laps take the first opportunity to reject it.

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