Steemitblog released a post presnting the new hivemind layer that is in development to be added and the name itself made me question it. And yes it was not unwarrented by how I see it.
If you havent seen it here it is: https://steemit.com/steem/@steemitblog/update-communities-hivemind
To start with the name, we humans are not hiveminded, but alot of whats happening are to a growing degree turing people into that mode of operation. And this isnt helping that. Just so you know, ants, bees and reptiles are lifeforms thats operating what we term a hivemind. So in my opinion its a bad name, yet it might be a somewhat accurate name.
As I was reading it, it became obvies to me that the new functionality opes up more user information collection and analysis. In addition it adds a form of sidechains that is not dependent on the rest of the chain on making changes in its code, so in effect adding a steemit version of segwit nodes thats been added to Bitcoin and litecoin. That is if I understand it somewhat accurattely. Being something that some critisize as being a way that centralised control can get inside so to speak.
And lastly it lists new posible functionalitys that looks alot like what Facebook is using currently like groups, admin bots and mentions.
So my question is; Does this mean that steemit wil turn more and more into a functionally copy of Facebook? And wil that also include all the reasons why we went from Facebook to steemit? I sertainly hope not, but it does look like it to some degree. So steemit community please, dont brake this platform by letting it become a new form of Facebook.
Let me start by saying the reason most people left or are leaving Facebook for Steemit is because of the ability to gain Steem just for writing posts and doing everything they still do for nothing on Facebook.
With advances in technology allowing for things like machine learning and artificial intelligence to be integrated into websites and basically everything, it would be no surprise that data about the users are being collected for analysis and other purposes. It's sad if you think about it: the fact that we somehow don't have our privacy anymore. Any new platform, any new fad that is actually worth joining will require you to sign up and basically give the company permission to use your info for marketing and all the rest. I mean, even here on Steemit, your account can't be deleted.
I just think it's time we reached some state of acquiescence where we internalize that the world we currently live in requires it and we have to be adaptable (not to mention vigilant)
Information retaining to the content you write and who you follow is one thing, but spying on activity on your computer (like facebook is doing via cookies. That you are denied access if you dont allowe) and looking at who and when you comment on what and at what times you use the site is another thing.
And more functions and ways to show them who you are becomes more ways to controll you. Groups do , yes, add a god way to get personalised content. But that is also done via looking up articles by category and tags that already exist.
But this is my opinion.
I agree but they really don't care to that extent about their users. The power is in the data they have on us. They wouldn't relinquish that just because they want to be 'nice' and 'privacy compliant'. Naah... I don't think so.
The only reason I'm suggesting we acquiesce is because there's really no way to fight them. At least not without relinquishing one's use of social media. Notwithstanding, your opinion is as valid as it gets.