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Comment by throwaway892238 | Hacker News Reader

Did Facebook ever really need to become such a behemoth? Could they not have been mildly profitable just hosting pictures and helping people stay connected? Would it have been impossible for them to simply keep operating without capitalism's Blob-like need for growth at all costs?

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I pray that someday an original-Facebook social media site returns. I'd really like to keep in touch with friends and family over large distances. I'm even willing to put up with ads in the sidebar, or at this point in my life donate to a site that provides such a valuable service.

But I won't use or even condone a product that actively manipulates its users via dark patterns. Such a blatant disrespect for personal choice and autonomy. No thought about the consequences on democratic systems, or radicalization of folks exposed, or mental health... just greed, money, and growth above all else.

There is a very special place in hell for people who talk in the movie theatre. And Mark Z.

The incentives need to align with the users for it to work on the long term.

It's the IT industry we're talking about here. I feel like no one in IT is capable of "just stopping" when the product is good enough. Everything is required to have scope creep or at the very least feature creep and regular UI redesigns for no good reason, seemingly by law.

When money (credit) is cheap and plentiful, there's all the incentives to push the company to bigger and more speculative growth. When credits expensive, you actually have to sell something. Let's see if this downturn is an end to this eras fast money or just a temporary blip before the helicopters of cash start flying again.

If you look into Mark Suckerborg's history, his character, his decisions and their consequences... it becomes pretty evident there are few motivations involved in what he chooses, and even fewer scruples about the consequences.

> Did Facebook ever really need to become such a behemoth?

How many non-behemoths survived and are still used by real people?

Even something like IRC is pretty much dead these days because it is too simple.

Facebook was at its most useful when everyone was on it. They didn't need to buy everything but they did need to be worldwide.

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