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Comment by vasco | Hacker News Reader

When ever in the history of the world were humans not exploited by other humans, in much worse ways than now? I'd rather be google's data source for ads than be someones actual slave for example.

Also I don't really like these luddite sentiments, usually shared between the two extremes, old ladies that never used the internet so they don't understand what they are missing, and IT guys that are too jaded to see the benefits and are at the stage of "wanna become goat farmer". Outside addiction the internet is great.

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"Outside addiction the internet is great."

So are painkillers, or alcohol. Still we shouldn't simply shrug our shoulders over their abuse.

We need to find a rational way to treat smartphones. As of now, we are fully in the Gin Craze [0] phase of their use and moderation is badly needed.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gin_Craze

> than be someones actual slave for example.

Some argue you're still one, they give you just enough crumbs so that you shut your mouth and bow your head while you work from birth to death, being taxed every step of the way, with more and more limited privacy and liberties. Meanwhile the top 1% still live like kings, laws barely apply to them, they're in charge of everything even though most of them haven't been elected

I would guess an actual slave would find that comparison horribly offensive. And kings were born into their position, but there is quite a bit of churn in leadership during my lifetime, so I struggle to see that equivalence either.

> but there is quite a bit of churn in leadership during my lifetime, so I struggle to see that equivalence either.

You means these people who all come out of the same 3 unis, all attend the same parties, have the same networks, &c. ?

Did we really just bring up and contrast current exploitation to slavery as an attempt defend social media?

You can compare anything. Being outraged at comparisons is the most basic reply to anything. You thinking something isn't comparable to something else is in itself a comparison. At least make an argument.

..."It is exploitation but at least it is not slavery" is a (let me put it frankly for you seen as you need it) shit argument that justifies and proves nothing.

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