Last week, the digital world witnessed a seismic shift as Facebook and Twitter banned Donald Trump, sparking heated debates about the power of tech platforms. Many are concerned about the political influence these private companies wield, and rightly so. Algorithms from giants like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube arguably shape political discourse more profoundly than traditional lawmakers.
However, let’s ponder a more purr-plexing question: do tech CEOs really care about political power struggles? Or is their primary concern something far more… feline?
The golden rule for understanding tech corporations is simple: follow the money. These platforms, while capable of being political instruments, are fundamentally advertising businesses driven by data and algorithms. Do Facebook’s profits soar during political unrest? Hardly. Their revenue comes from those strategically placed ads nestled between a Trump meme and a CNN headline – perhaps even a razor blade ad, perfectly timed for your doomscrolling break.
Their true objective isn’t political upheaval or ideological dominance. It’s engagement. They thrive on your clicks, scrolls, and shares, allowing them to sprinkle those lucrative ads throughout your feed. Do they differentiate between a divisive political tweet and a heartwarming cat meme in terms of their business model? Not really. As long as you’re engaged, and ideally clicking on that razor blade ad, they’re content.
This begs the question: would social media platforms willingly trade political content for the fluffy charm of Trump Cat Memes if it guaranteed the same level of engagement (and thus, revenue)? Imagine a world where your feed is flooded with adorable cats sporting questionable wigs, striking presidential poses, and engaging in mock debates. Such a feline-focused landscape might actually reduce headaches for these platforms, sparing them the need to justify political bans and appear before Congress in serious suits. They could simply sell ads amidst a sea of purrs and whiskers.
The problem, of course, lies in human nature. Millions are deeply invested in political content, often of the more extreme variety. Algorithmic-fueled extremism is an unfortunate side effect of an engagement-driven business model colliding with turbulent times and our own inherent biases.
Unlike pharmaceutical companies, tech giants currently aren’t held responsible for the side effects of the tools they provide. Yet. The Trump ban might be the catalyst for increased regulation, which isn’t necessarily a negative prospect. The heavily regulated pharmaceutical industry still manages to be incredibly profitable.
Regulation for tech companies seems inevitable. Their primary concern is shaping these regulations to minimize disruption to their outrageously lucrative business models. This power lies with politicians, particularly those in the US administration over the next four years. Wouldn’t cultivating friendly relations with them be a smart move?
While tech CEOs publicly maintain political neutrality, their financial contributions suggest otherwise. Looking at the Center for Responsive Politics’ data on Biden’s top donors, tech companies are prominently featured. Facebook is linked to substantial donations, as are Google, Amazon, and Apple.
Tech giants appear to be strategically aligning themselves. Silencing a controversial figure like Trump could be seen as the cherry on top of their calculated political engagement.
One can almost sympathize with Donald Trump. He might feel abandoned as these tech titans seemingly turn their backs, especially considering their past support. But let’s not be sentimental.
Donald, if you happen to be reading this amidst a flurry of trump cat memes, remember it’s not personal. Tech companies aren’t against you. They simply want to sell ads, maintain engagement, and keep the money flowing, undisturbed. Perhaps a world dominated by trump cat memes isn’t so far-fetched after all – at least, from a purely business perspective.
