I think social media plays an enormous role in public opinion. And I think it s become to some extent a conductor of ideology, an echo chamber. The converse could be if those who had responsibility in the area of social media, whoever they may be, could find a way to engage the American people in recognizing that we must have effective government, whatever your views may be on issues.
— Robert Rubin, former Treasury secretary, on a panel (moderated by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg) Monday at the Milken Institute Global Conference.
Speaking of an echo chamber, the New York Times looks at the practice of unfollowing Facebook friends because of their political views. In case you didn t know, and in case certain posts make your blood boil, the social network offers users an option to unfollow people as opposed to unfriending them. Friends are unfollowing friends, family is unfollowing family. And Facebook s algorithms and advertising platform are ensuring its users are seeing content that s in line with their views and likes.
Facebook user Lindy Tucker of Bradenton, Florida, calls the social network a mirror of the divisiveness in our society, according to the NYT.
Still, the NYT notes that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said last year that your network of friends and friends of friends who you ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.
Illustration by Hector Casanova/Kansas City Star/KRT archives
