Seems like many Facebook users here are sure they are too smart to have been manipulated by CA. [View all]

They are certain only the weak-minded would fall for manipulations like those perpetrated by Cambridge Analytica. They think all talk of boycotting FB for allowing those manipulations is silly.

Here are two things to consider if you are one of those Facebook users who thinks you could not possibly be manipulated:

First, have you ever bought anything as a result of an ad or an infomercial? Have you ever really wanted a snack after watching a food commercial? Do you have any brand loyalties on household products or food items? Did you select your car or truck for any reason other than its ability to do the job you want it to do in the most economic and efficient manner? If so, you have been manipulated. Which means you are subject to manipulation. And what CA did was much more targeted and precise than the ads that have influenced you. They honed their messages to precisely respond to each FB user's fears and prejudices.

Second, even if you are correct and only the weak-minded fell for the sophisticated, pinpointed efforts of Cambridge Analytica, does it not bother you that FB allowed the manipulation of the weak-minded by one political party to influence our elections? Does that not weaken our Democracy and doesn't that give you pause? Does it not bother you that Steve Bannon held all those weak minded people in the palm of his hand and pulled their strings while Zuckerberg smiled down on the whole transaction?

ETA: Don't miss the British news expose on Cambridge Analytica linked in Melissa B's thread. These guys are who has truckloads of personal data, and who have been doing psychological profiling on 50 million American voters: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10380218