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FACEBOOK ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY that it has changed its parent company name to Meta.
The change comes amid a string of controversies that have followed the company’s various ventures, particularly the main Facebook platform, Instagram and WhatsApp.
While the wider company name is being rebranded to Meta, the core Facebook service will remain unchanged.
What reasoning has the company given for the name change, what impact does this have on social media users and what sort of a reaction has this news received?
Let’s take a look…
Why is the company rebranding?
Facebook has outlined that the move comes as it pivots to its ambitions for the “metaverse,” which would blur the lines between the physical world and the digital one.
However, the rebrand also comes as the company battles to fend off one of its worst controversies yet.
Some US politicians have lashed out at the company’s announcement, with US Senator Richard Blumenthal alleging the name change was nothing more than an effort to “confuse” and “distract”, alleging that it “won’t erase years of devious practices and disregard for privacy, kids’ wellbeing, spreading hate and genocide”.
Senator Ed Markey has refused to acknowledge the rebrand.
“Facebook wants us to start calling it Meta, but we’re just going to keep calling it what it is, a threat to privacy, democracy and children,” he tweeted.
Despite the criticism of the move, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said the current brand is “so tightly linked to one product that it can’t possibly represent everything that we’re doing today, let alone in the future”.
“Over time, I hope that we are seen as a metaverse company and I want to anchor our work and our identity on what we’re building towards,” he said in a virtual conference.
“We just announced that we were making a fundamental change to our company. We’re now looking at and reporting on our business as two different segments, one for our family of apps, and one for our work on future platforms.
“And as part of this, it is time for us to adopt a new company brand to encompass everything that we do to reflect who we are and what we hope to build.
“I am proud to announce that starting today, our company is now Meta.”
What is the metaverse?
Facebook has already announced plans to hire 10,000 staff in Europe to work on the ‘metaverse’, so what exactly is it?
The metaverse, is in fact, the stuff of science-fiction: the term was coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash, in which people don virtual reality headsets to interact inside a game-like digital world.
Facebook’s idea of it is more or less the same.
Zuckerberg has described it as being a place where rather than just viewing content “you are in it” and as an early example has used the idea of people watching a concert video on their smartphone but then jumping in it using the metaverse to create the sense they are really there.
The metaverse would not be run by one company, Facebook previously said, but would instead be an open internet which different companies could build on and offer their own experiences to people.
Some of the virtual experiences already exist in some form, but they are all independent and not seamlessly linked together – that is the aim of the metaverse.
Facebook’s metaverse idea would see all the experience accessible in one place and at any point, with users able to enter it not just via VR headsets, but also PCs, games consoles and mobile devices in much the same way they do now with mobile internet.
The company’s idea is that you can jump in and have any real-life social experience in virtual reality, with holograms or avatars representing the user and their friends and colleagues.
But people will still have a while to wait to use the metaverse.
The metaverse doesn’t actually even exist yet and Zuckerberg has stressed it is a long-term project.
Announcing @Meta — the Facebook company’s new name. Meta is helping to build the metaverse, a place where we’ll play and connect in 3D. Welcome to the next chapter of social connection. pic.twitter.com/ywSJPLsCoD
— Meta (@Meta) October 28, 2021
What controversies have hit Facebook?
As mentioned, the social media giant has been battling one of its most serious crises ever.
Last month, former employee Frances Haugen leaked reams of internal studies showing executives knew of their sites’ potential for harm, prompting a renewed US push for regulation.
Reports from a consortium of US news outlets have used those documents to produce a deluge of damning stories, including blaming Zuckerberg for his platform bending to state censors and highlighting how the site has stoked anger in the name of keeping users engaged.
Facebook noted in a filing that from September “it became subject to government investigations and requests” relating to the documents leaked to lawmakers and regulators.
The company this week issued to employees a “legal hold”, which is an instruction to preserve documents and communications because it faces inquiries from authorities.
How will the rebrand impact social media users?
In short, it won’t.
Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – which are used by billions around the world – will keep their names under the rebranding.
This is similar to how Google created a new parent company name, Alphabet, in 2015 as a way of highlighting it was no longer just a search engine but a broad range of different companies working on smartphones, driverless cars and other technology.
How have people reacted to the Meta rebrand?
Unsurprisingly, the company’s critics have pounced on the rebranding.
An activist group calling itself The Real Facebook Oversight Board has said the platform is harming democracy while spreading disinformation and hate.
“Their meaningless name change should not distract from the investigation, regulation and real, independent oversight needed to hold Facebook accountable,” the group said in a statement.
While critics have been up in arms, others on the internet have taken a more lighthearted approach to the news.
Changing name to Meat
— Meat (@Wendys) October 28, 2021
Meat jokes were all the rage, with US hamburger chain Wendy’s tweeting shortly after the news: “Changing name to Meat.”
Remaining true to its word, the chain did just that – but only on its Twitter profile.
A tweeting wit under the handle @NicoTheMemeDude queried: “Is this the beginning of the Meataverse?” To which Wendy’s retorted: “very meta.”
BIG NEWS lol jk still Twitter
— Twitter (@Twitter) October 28, 2021
Twitter also joined in on the commentary last night, tweeting: “BIG NEWS lol jk still Twitter.”
For lots of people, meta will forever describe something that refers back to or is about itself, like a film about people making a film about filmmaking.
“Everyone posting about Facebook on Twitter is very… meta,” wrote @JohnRush32.
With reporting by Press Association and AFP
Shouldn’t Brady be charged for withholding evidence?
Was rape a crime back then? Yes it was. Was the rape of a child a crime? YES. Cardinal Brady withheld evidence of serious crimes, and ENABLED this rapist to continue raping children for many more years after Brady became aware of Smyths crimes. Brady should be arrested and charged and jailed when found guilty.
Or is there a new category of criminal, blue collar, white collar and now dog collar. It seems the last two categories are beyond the reach of the law in this state. Remember priests jailed previously in Ireland were defrocked beforehand. Heaven help us.
Late but welcomed input from Gilmore… I set up a facebook campaign 3 years ago, looking for Brady to resign, when his involvement in cover-ups broke in the media …. Call me cynical, but, now that this has been broadcast on BBC, and not RTE and TV3 (like it was 3 years ago), now, people think he should resign…. Why do we need to wait for a foreign TV station to broadcast to 100′s of millions what an absolute sham we have in this country, when we were told all these same facts 3 years ago… I can’t figure this part out… GRRRRRRRRRR
I think its because RTE and TV3 are not seen as very credible when it comes to documentary alot of the time when compared to say Channel 4 or BBC, they also air to a smaller audience then the likes of the BBC.
I know many people who just don’t watch RTE anymore and as such would not be aware of the shows they air.
Cal
I agree that it is a dis grace that an English tv channel has highlighted Brady’s involvement with Smiths cover up and his protection … I am getting more and more angry at all that is happening . Is he like so many people in ”powerful ministries” be it banking or politics or the church that he believes he is beyond retribution? e is so far removed from reality that he is not affected by the damage and reality of child rape in a victims life and the lives of family and friends . He must leave or be removed .
There are many people in Ireland unworthy of positions of authority, political opportunists and senior clerics alike.
Well, you have to start weeding them out sooner or later, or they’ll weed you out.
About time a leading politician made a clear unambiguous statement on this.
Three days ago, his backbencher TDs were on thejournal.ie arguing at length that we couldn’t just chuck the religious orders out of primary education, that we have to work with them to achieve some sort of consensus.
Now Gilmore’s saying that anyone who knew what Brady knew shouldn’t be in a position of authority.
Is it me, or do those two things seem to be mutually exclusive philosophies?
Those backbencher TD comments are here btw:
http://www.thejournal.ie/poll-indicates-three-quarters-of-parents-want-change-in-primary-school-patronage-434184-Apr2012/#comments
The sad thing is whomever would replace Brady would share the same mindset.The Vaticans defense of Brady shows nothing has changed.No one it seems to me in the church feels any wrong was done Brady therfore i feel in its present form it is doomed.
To have known and not reported this to the police and the result is this fowl human beast to continue raping innocent children is unforgivable. Brady is as guilty as if he raped these poor children himself, he should face criminal charges
Is Gilmore implying that Brady STILL has authority? Why isn’t Gilmore insisting on the complete dismantling of Brady’s architecture of child abuse concealment? In the new Ireland that Gilmore’s government is busy building, ordinary people, who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, or who need help from the social welfare, are going to be harassed, bullied and intimidated yet those who are known to have facilitated the coverup of child abuse are just going to be subject to a bit of finger-wagging!
Not good enough Gilmore. It’s time we treated criminals for what they are and afford dignity to those who deserve it.
Martin McGuinness has also called on Cardinal Brady to “consider his position” because of wrongs committed in the 70s… Ehhh… Mr Pot, this is Mr Kettle…
Paul,
actually related to the subject….Remember Michael Woods and the “deal” with the Religious?
Pot, Kettle etc.
Paul, Gerry Adams advised his own Niece to go to the Police about the fact that his niece was being abused. I think your comment is a pretty desperate attempt to slag off SF on a topic like this. Pretty sad really. If i understand your position, you are implying Martin McGuinness shouldn’t have made any requests for Brady to stand down???
Child abuse is a very very serious matter. Dragging it into party political slagging matches is totally inappropriate.
Paul, i just read your twitter account header .. You are a proud FF member … If you consider slagging off Martin McGuinness for criticizing Brady on this issue as one of FF’s prouder moments, you are just demonstrating how little FF have learned in the last few years. I am sick to the pit of my stomach with you and your ilk. You know no bounds or depths to lower yourselves to.
Brady said he didn’t realise the damage that was caused to the children !!! He also maintains that he reported to his bishop who in his turn reported it to the norbertine order (Smith’s order) BUT Why wasa it not reported to the police .These were educated men ! Why did Sean Brady not walk into his local police / garda station and report it . He was a teacher , he was with kids , he should have known the damage smith caused.
Of course he should resign . Exercise some decorum and put his hands up and leave . He is after all only one man and should not be so proud to believe he is any thing more.
Resign? Decorum? I don’t want him to resign with decorum.
I want to see him arrested by the Gardai for failing to report a series of serious crimes against children and perverting the course of justice, and then I want to see him prosecuted for that in court by the DPP and then I want to see him in jail to send a message to the other priests and members of the RCC that Ireland is a hostile place to anyone who rapes a child.
Mark Dennehy
Apologies ! I do not mean he should resign with decorum . Obviously I have not made my self clear . He should resign if he had any dignity and leave. Failing that he should be removed. The problem here is that these guys think they are above all of us . I personally know what I would like to see happen …… However! I did not mean to give the impression that i have any sympathy for him . He is the one lacking dignity and he lacks humility.
Captain Blowhard,more hot air and no action,as usual.The Labour party way!!!
After using opinions to steal from Social Welfare Recipients for over a decade politicians display that no one could be trusted in positions of responsibility until all of the victims are found.
Eh?
All this new information about Cardinal Brady merely having the responsibility of “taking notes” during the 1975 investigation really annoys me.
The TRUTH of the matter, ironically, can be found in a Church statement from 2010 and reads as follows:
A statement from the Church in March 2010 said: “Cardinal Brady had been drafted in to CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION because he held a doctorate in canon law”.
He says things that court popularity and he fooled a lot of people coming up to the last election.
His pronouncements on this issue have to be taken in that context.
For he knows words are cheap and easy.
What action is he prepared to demonstrate.
For action is warranted in this case.
I have no interest in what the tanaiste says.
Hah Gilmore out of his box again. And flogging a dead horse! Yet silence on the flogging of live horses…. the Irish people. Why don’t you resign Gilmore because as far as I can see you are far more dangerous than some old fop trying to hold onto his career……. oh wait……. And yes I am a disgruntled labour voter.
He should be defrocked,and expelled from ireland.He covered up for too long.
Auld Gil must have been reading the journal.ie poll…
This man Cared more fore his career than the care of children, just as guilty than Smyth.
Credit where it’s due, not often have we seen a politician come out and call it as it is. Thought I’d wait a lifetime to hear the likes of it.
What’s the difference between stating something and suggesting it ?
have your say