cdmagurus.com
08-25-2013, 09:40 AM
After Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced (http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/082113-facebook-six-other-tech-companies-273030.html?page=1) a coalition with several other major tech companies to bring the Internet to areas of the globe that remain disconnected, the tech world reacted with a mix of criticism, mockery, doubt, and praise.
In the initiative, called Internet.org, (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047088/facebook-zuckerberg-rally-partners-to-connect-the-whole-wide-world.html?tk=rel_news) Facebook is joined by Samsung, Qualcomm, Ericsson, Nokia, Opera, and MediaTek. Naturally, these companies' business interests have led many to approach their new collective altruistic effort skeptically.
Cynics respondValleyWag, the site that Gawker Media recently relaunched to report and comment on issues relating specifically to Silicon Valley, blasted Zuckerberg and Facebook (http://valleywag.gawker.com/mark-zuckerberg-continues-faux-humanitarian-awakening-1177299650) for a "faux humanitarian" effort to mask "a piece of cynical Facebook marketing." Calling it a "long con," Gawker's Sam Biddle doubted whether the plan would accomplish Facebook's business goals if it is successful.
"But if Zuckerberg's efforts mean more of the developing world has access to the internet and the economic benefits that entails, then great Internet.org doesn't plan missionary squads threatening Facebook sign-ups or death by firing squad," Biddle wrote. "Eventually they'll become tired of Facebook and start using Snapchat, just like the rest of us."
To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here (http://cdmagurus.com/article/2047375/zuckerbergs-internet-sharing-push-draws-doubts-praise.html#jump)
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In the initiative, called Internet.org, (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047088/facebook-zuckerberg-rally-partners-to-connect-the-whole-wide-world.html?tk=rel_news) Facebook is joined by Samsung, Qualcomm, Ericsson, Nokia, Opera, and MediaTek. Naturally, these companies' business interests have led many to approach their new collective altruistic effort skeptically.
Cynics respondValleyWag, the site that Gawker Media recently relaunched to report and comment on issues relating specifically to Silicon Valley, blasted Zuckerberg and Facebook (http://valleywag.gawker.com/mark-zuckerberg-continues-faux-humanitarian-awakening-1177299650) for a "faux humanitarian" effort to mask "a piece of cynical Facebook marketing." Calling it a "long con," Gawker's Sam Biddle doubted whether the plan would accomplish Facebook's business goals if it is successful.
"But if Zuckerberg's efforts mean more of the developing world has access to the internet and the economic benefits that entails, then great Internet.org doesn't plan missionary squads threatening Facebook sign-ups or death by firing squad," Biddle wrote. "Eventually they'll become tired of Facebook and start using Snapchat, just like the rest of us."
To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here (http://cdmagurus.com/article/2047375/zuckerbergs-internet-sharing-push-draws-doubts-praise.html#jump)
More... (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047375/zuckerbergs-internet-sharing-push-draws-doubts-praise.html#tk.rss_all)