Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Social networks only destroyed discourse.

This both destroys discourse, and centralizes the means of production into ~4 companies, with everyone else paying them an economic tax in order to be competitive.



Whatsapp provides tremendous utility. I remember paying far more “economic tax” before Whatsapp to communicate, with basically anyone in the world.

Facebook Marketplace also provides me with quite a bit utility.


Neither Whatsapp nor my landline is the kind of social network that I'm talking about.


What "economic tax" was imposed by the Web, email, Usenet, and forums?


None, but for actual communication by lay people, it cost a ton of money for audio and video calls by having to pay their phone service provider a lot, or calling cards, or whatever.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2027 batch! Applications are open till November 2.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: