I thought we could all use a bit of levity today. Here’s a cartoon to let us laugh at ourselves a bit.
Tag Archive for Facebook
Beware of Facebook
Even if you aren’t Catholic, you should get a chuckle out of this.
Did You Review that Review?
I’m sensitive about this because I come by all my reviews honestly, and a recent report by Chris Chmura of NBC Bay Area News Responds reminded me of how much this bugs me: the multitude of fake online reviews.
He pointed out that, according to Yelp, one quarter of their reviews are either biased or fake. That Facebook keeps trying–and failing–to solve the problem. And that Google is tight-lipped (but seemingly unsuccessful) about their attempts at curbing these bogus reviews. Yet, most of us continue to check to see what others have to say about a company we’re considering hiring.
Ah, the companies. Seems like it’s not just reviews from individuals with a grudge or promoting their relative’s business. Businesses hire people to do reviews for a specific company or even for a bunch of companies in the same line of work, in order to enhance that industry’s image (and revenue).
What can we do? Chris Chmura suggests looking at a reviewer’s profile. Don’t trust them if all their reviews are 5-star positive or very vague. Watch for brand-new reviewers, too, who are suddenly online posting a good number of reviews (maybe they’ve just been hired to do this?). Or people who seem to review only companies in a particular industry but in different cities and states (also hired?).
The government is suing these fakers when they can find them, but there are so many that it’s an uphill battle.
One more thing: you can file a complaint, find out about the latest fraud, and–only if you want to–sign up for fraud alerts at www.fraud.org.
“How Much is that Doggie in the Window?”
When I saw this cartoon on Facebook, I had to pass it on. Something to think about when we’re adding a pet to our family.
https://www.facebook.com/682329048475716/videos/1585615671480378/
The Blessings of Steve Jobs
Remember ten years ago, when life was so much harder? We couldn’t check on the whereabouts of our friends anytime we wanted to, read our Facebook postings or email without turning on our computer, catch up whenever we wanted with a movie or TV show we missed. We had to call people and talk to them rather than texting. If we wanted to prove our point in a conversation we had to wait to go to the library or do a computer search so we could show family and friends that we were right. We had to turn on a radio or other device to play music, use a camera to take pictures, go to our Game Boy to play games.Why, we didn’t even have a personal assistant like Siri.
And we had to carry on conversation at the dinner table.
Granted, not all of these features sprang fully grown into our world. The smart phone, introduced by the Japanese in 1992, had far few features than the modern device.
But what would our world be like if Steve Jobs (or someone like him with the same drive and creativity) had not given birth to the iPhone a decade ago?
Happy 10th birthday, iPhone!
Bungling Burglar–Vain or Stupid?
This guy should get a regular job, because he’s NOT cut out for a life of crime! In Minnesota, a burglar entered a home and went about his business. When he spotted the family computer, he checked his Facebook page, calling up his profile. He got so busy admiring his picture that he forgot to log out before leaving with his loot–but forgetting a personal item or two.
Enter the police, who immediately grabbed the Facebook clue left for them. They shared his photo on Facebook and posted a message telling the guy that they had some stuff belonging to him and he could have it back if he contacted them. He texted the police and showed up to pick up his belongings.
He’s in jail, now, probably wondering what went wrong.
No, a lawbreaking-life is not for this guy! But he’s good for a chuckle at his expense.
Too Much Sex for Facebook?
Not really sex because sexual abuse is about power, not sex. Facebook has been skittish about such matters as breast-feeding and mastectomies, not allowing pictures about them. On the other hand, posts, pictures, and jokes about sexual abuse and rape have been just fine. That has changed—not due to a newly grown corporate conscience but to women’s groups who knew how to fight this use of violence against women as entertainment. They went to Facebook‘s advertisers and complained. Advertisers put on the pressure, and now Facebook has enacted a new policy. That is, if you choose to post something that is cruel or insensitive, you must honestly identify who you are. This ensures your free speech while filtering out such “witticisms” as the picture (I won’t describe it) with the caption “This is why Indian girls get raped.”
Putting on my cynic’s hat, though, I can see a bunch of ways around this. For example, most of us know someone who signed up under a false name, and Facebook isn’t wise to it. Friends know who those people are—the friends that he plays to in his posts. No problem, then, giving his “true” identity and posting all the garbage he wants.
But this IS a step in the right direction. I’ll go online, find the Facebook posting about this, and punch “Like,” just to let the corporation know we’re out here watching them.