The ideas behind Social Networking 2.0 are not new, but the Idea Adoption Curve takes time. Plus, how Facebook missed its platform chance a decade ago.
Social Networking 2.0
Facebook and Twitter represent the v1 of Social Networking; it’s a bad copy of the analog world, whereas v2 is something unique to digital, and a lot more promising.
Facebook Sued by FTC and States, The FTC’s Case, Antitrust and Politics
Facebook clearly tried to eliminate competition by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp, but it’s not clear they were successful, which is the question that matters in a case that is ultimately about politics and power.
Facebook and the NYU Ad Observatory, Facebook’s FTC Decrees, Tradeoffs and Politics
The dispute between Facebook and the Ad Observatory are just as emblematic of the trade-offs between privacy and social responsibility as Clearview AI.
Qualcomm Wins on Appeal, The Opinion, Apple’s Foresight
Qualcomm won its appeal against the FTC; most of the opinion’s narrow arguments make sense, but look differently when considered holistically.
Email Addresses and Razor Blades
The fate of Harry’s and other DTC companies, particularly relative to companies like Credit Karma, highlight how the Internet elevates the importance of demand over supply.
First, Do No Harm
As regulators look closer at acquisitions they should be extremely wary of unintended consequences. The current system works well for everyone, most of the time.
Tech and Liberty Follow-up, Facebook Earnings, Additional Notes on Facebook Earnings
Making principled stands should not mean absolutism: Facebook should seek to ameliorate its trade-offs. Then, Facebook’s earnings continue to show higher costs, plus where Zuckerberg is right and wrong in defending the Instagram acquisition.
China Cultural Clash Follow-Up, Disney and Blizzard, Choosing Customers
More on TikTok, then Disney and Blizzard demonstrate how expensive customers can be, while Google and Facebook benefit.
Slack Earnings, Slack’s Sales Cycle, The FTC Fines YouTube
Slack’s earnings were fine, but lacked the explosive growth their valuation needed. Understanding Slack’s past and future product-market fit explains why. Then, the real problem with the FTC’s fine of YouTube is a lack of transparency.