Facebook Nation: Total Information Awareness

This book explores the power of social media in shaping public opinion and influencing political outcomes. It highlights the role of social media in spreading misinformation, organizing protests, and influencing election results.

Format: Hardback
Length: 571 pages
Publication date: 03 February 2022
Publisher: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

This book delves into the realm of total information awareness, fueled by the power of social media. During a February 2021 session at the FBI Citizens Academy, I posed a question to the FBI regarding the unprecedented ban of a sitting U.S. President by major social networks following the January 6 Capitol riot orchestrated through social media platforms. In March 2021, prominent figures such as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey faced congressional scrutiny over their handling of misinformation and online extremism, culminating in the storming of Capitol Hill. With over three billion monthly active users, the Facebook family of apps stands as the world's largest social network. In terms of global reach, Facebook surpasses the combined populations of China, India, and the United States. Social media has granted users the ability to both inform and misinform the public, influence Wall Street, mitigate and exacerbate the COVID-19 pandemic, and sow division within a country. Mark Zuckerberg once stated, "We exist at the intersection of technology and social issues." Regrettably, he did not fully heed his own words. In October 2021, former Facebook manager-turned-whistleblower Frances Haugen testified before the U.S. Senate, revealing that Facebook's products harm children, exacerbate divisions, and weaken democratic institutions. This book provides a comprehensive discourse on various topics related to information and misinformation, cybersecurity and privacy, cryptocurrency and business intelligence, social media marketing strategies, and the ethical considerations of total information awareness, including the Edward Snowden leaks. It offers valuable insights and practical advice for professionals, policymakers, and individuals seeking to navigate the complex landscape of social media and its impact on society. Highly recommended for anyone interested in understanding the implications of our digital age.

Weight: 1045g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781071618660
Edition number: 3rd ed. 2021