“Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies” the scale of Facebook part 1: misinformation
ISSN: 0741-9058
Article publication date: 19 November 2021
Issue publication date: 1 December 2021
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.
Keywords
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
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited