“Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies” the scale of Facebook part 1: misinformation

Abstract

Purpose

This column aims to explore the implications of Facebook’s size and reach to understand the role of massive social networks in our world, in general, and libraries, in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

This column uses the example of misinformation to underscore the challenges endemic to connecting so many people under Facebooks particular business model.

Findings

Facebooks massive size, combined with the nature of the parts of our social lives it connects to, means that it currently stands alone and raises unique questions about what it would take to make meaningful changes to it or any similar competitor that arises.

Originality/value

Only by grappling with the dynamics of network effects on an organization of this size is it possible for informational professionals to understand the challenges and potential futures of massive social networks.

Citation

Fernandez, P. (2021), "“Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies” the scale of Facebook part 1: misinformation", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 38 No. 7, pp. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-10-2021-0074