Imagine if the very thing that made Facebook tick – connecting people with their friends and family – had simply fallen away? It sounds like science fiction, but according to recent revelations, this is exactly what happened. Despite having a core mission to bring humans together, Meta’s focus shifted dramatically over the years, prioritizing entertainment content from strangers instead.

The tech giant’s once-ardent passion for social networking has given way to a pursuit of viral dispatches and personalized ads. The consequences are far-reaching: Facebook users now spend only 17% of their time looking at content shared by friends – a stark contrast to the early days when human connections were paramount.

A Shift in Focus

In an era where social media has become increasingly entertainment-focused, it’s easy to forget that Facebook’s original mission was to “connect the world.” Mark Zuckerberg himself acknowledged this shift, stating that his company is now as much an entertainment company as a social network. The numbers support this claim: according to Meta’s own charts, entertainment content has overwhelmingly taken over social networking on the platform.

This change in focus isn’t without its consequences. As users, we’re more likely to engage with content from influencers and pundits than our friends and family. It’s no wonder that people are seeking “the magic of friends” elsewhere – on platforms that prioritize human connections over viral sensations.

The Power of a Monopoly

So, what drove this shift in focus? The answer lies in Meta’s dominant position in the social media landscape. With hundreds of millions of users locked into its ecosystem, the company was able to pivot towards content from strangers without worrying about competition. This allowed them to copy features like Reels from rival platforms and still reap the rewards.

In 2012, when Facebook acquired Instagram, it was clear that Zuckerberg saw the photo-sharing app as a competitive threat. He forced the issue by offering to buy it for $1 billion – a price tag that was eventually increased to $19 billion due to WhatsApp’s rapid growth. The acquisition not only silenced the competition but also gave Meta unparalleled access to users’ personal data.

The Consequences of Prioritizing Entertainment

The consequences of prioritizing entertainment over human connections are far-reaching. As users, we’re left with a platform that is designed to keep us engaged – but at what cost? The algorithms that drive our feeds are optimized for clickbait and viral sensations, leaving genuine connections between friends and family to languish.

In the early days of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg’s conference room, known as the Aquarium, was buzzing with projects aimed at increasing the value of human connections. These efforts may not have always succeeded, but they were honest attempts to fulfill the company mission. As the years progressed, however, the social aspect of Facebook became less of a priority for Zuckerberg, and his passion shifted towards virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

A New Era for Facebook

The recent antitrust case against Meta raises important questions about the future of the platform. Will Judge James Boasberg or Donald Trump – who may pull the plug on the whole operation if he feels like it – restore the company’s focus to its core purpose? Only time will tell.

In the interim, I’ve been experimenting with Facebook’s Friends tab – and my feed is much better for it. The only problem is that so few of my 2,000 friends post on Facebook anymore. They’re seeking “the magic of friends” elsewhere.