Zuckerberg Receives Negative Backlash on Virtual Puerto Rico Tour

M

monkeymagick

[H]News
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
480
Partnering up with NetHope and the American Red Cross, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took a virtual tour of the disaster ridden island of Puerto Rico. Promoting Facebook's Spaces feature, the billionaire and his friend Rachel trudge the flooded streets using the Oculus Rift. The fallout; some folks are complaining of its crassness and how "tone deaf" it may seem.

Taking the comments uncomfortably, Mark Zuckerberg released a statement and his response:

One of the most powerful features of VR is empathy. My goal here was to show how VR can raise awareness and help us see what's happening in different parts of the world. I also wanted to share the news of our partnership with the Red Cross to help with the recovery. Reading some of the comments, I realize this wasn't clear, and I'm sorry to anyone this offended.
 
The fact that he was there in the form of a cartoon seemed to many the perfect visual metaphor for the gulf in understanding between Silicon Valley and the real world.
Click to expand...
Seems more like the gulf between a multi-billionaire (somewhat desperately wanting to improve his public image) and everyone else. Also is Rachel wearing shades under her goggles, or is that just for shits n giggles (on a hurricane ravaged island). mmm salty
 
He only had to do one thing, actually visit Puerto Rico in person and then demonstrate the similarities in VR. Now it doesnt look like he's wearing gloves before shaking your hand wishing he was back home instead of with these icky impoverished people.
 
SixFootDuo said:
He should have just taken a ton of food, medical supplies and water down there himself and distributed it himself. Sometimes dealing directly with people is the best course of action.
Click to expand...
But in vr right? He definitely is tone deaf.
 
This was just nuts and a lack of compassion. It would of been a great PR (not the island) opportunity to go down to Puerto Rico (other PR), get his hands dirty, donate money and help people. THEN use his VR headset to check in on his wife and family. That would of been how you do it. This just shows he is not a white knight, he is a snob. His apology was even more silly (focused really on his cartoon VR figures for not being realistic/human looking).

As a moderate/democrat this is one of the largest issues facing the nation (and party). People obsessed with "me to" and wanting to "show how much they are committed" to the point of stupidity (attention whoring). A full on support of a cause for attention without actually supporting any solution to solving any problems (with donating your time, money or brain to making a better world). It is self gratification and gross.
 
Last edited:
When he goes on to run for President/Governor (one of which he will is my guess), crap like this may haunt him and it should. However Americans love a celebrity and feeling a part of "something bigger, we are a part of that elite club", of which both parties are guilty of.
 
I think people are too sensitive and quick to take offense. If someone wants to show empathy and help out in a way they can, but because it isn't the "proper" way, people get their panties in a wad.

Sheesh, I can't believe I'm defending that arrogant (can't find any other civilized adjectives to describe what I generally think of Zuckerburg), but people really need to get over their "I'm always offended" high horses.
 
jardows said:
I think people are too sensitive and quick to take offense. If someone wants to show empathy and help out in a way they can, but because it isn't the "proper" way, people get their panties in a wad.

Sheesh, I can't believe I'm defending that arrogant (can't find any other civilized adjectives to describe what I generally think of Zuckerburg), but people really need to get over their "I'm always offended" high horses.
Click to expand...
I don't think people are actually offended here, its just that they see through his charade that he's using a tragedy to promote his company's vr. I mean how dumb are all those executives that thought this was a good idea? They were clearly thinking $$$ first and empathy last.
What's next? Relive the las vegas shooting with oculus vr? Hear the screams, see the panic, feel the bullets...
 
gxp500 said:
I don't think people are actually offended here, its just that they see through his charade that he's using a tragedy to promote his company's vr. I mean how dumb are all those executives that thought this was a good idea? They were clearly thinking $$$ first and empathy last.
What's next? Relive the las vegas shooting with oculus vr? Hear the screams, see the panic, feel the bullets...
Click to expand...

I don't know about "promoting" his VR product. I can think of much better uses of my time than virtually walking around an area leveled by a hurricane, and it wouldn't make me go buy one just to see hurricane ravaged PR. He's probably trying to be genuine, but his douchebaggery is shining through.
 
I don't follow Zuckerburg at all IRL but from the Facebook movie, I thought he did have some degree of Asperger's ... or was that just the Hollywood version. Ever since seeing the movie, I just wrote off all the nutty stuff he pulled as a result of that - not him intentionally being a dick. /shrug
 
gxp500 said:
I don't think people are actually offended here, its just that they see through his charade that he's using a tragedy to promote his company's vr. I mean how dumb are all those executives that thought this was a good idea? They were clearly thinking $$$ first and empathy last.
What's next? Relive the las vegas shooting with oculus vr? Hear the screams, see the panic, feel the bullets...
Click to expand...


they would most likely have the spin of "well maybe if more people could see what is going on they would buy our VR set and then a portion of our profits would go to help those in need"
 
He’s an ass who is only interested in his public image. The real hero’s are the people on the ground doing the work to restore services, and the people who donate without expectation of good PR.
 
jardows said:
I think people are too sensitive and quick to take offense. If someone wants to show empathy and help out in a way they can, but because it isn't the "proper" way, people get their panties in a wad.

Sheesh, I can't believe I'm defending that arrogant (can't find any other civilized adjectives to describe what I generally think of Zuckerburg), but people really need to get over their "I'm always offended" high horses.
Click to expand...


I don't think many are offended in any way ( at least I'm not ). I just think it's another example of how much of an out of touch douchebag he is.

You can think someone is wrong , a dick, and deserves to be made fun of without being offended at all.

And this was a very stupid thing for him to to do and not expect to be ridiculed for it.
 
Dahkoht said:
I don't think many are offended in any way ( at least I'm not ). I just think it's another example of how much of an out of touch douchebag he is.

You can think someone is wrong , a dick, and deserves to be made fun of without being offended at all.

And this was a very stupid thing for him to to do and not expect to be ridiculed for it.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I'm not offended but he was a dumbass. ... best part is it looks just like a southpark episode.
 
His current campaign to make himself seem like a regular genuine human continues to fall flat. Zuck never fails to be super fake and creepy in almost everything he does, if lizard people exist he is the king.
 
Maybe this will help kill off the whole "raising awareness" thing. Is there anyone who's NOT aware of the disaster in Puerto Rico, or breast cancer, or the problems faced by homeless? "Raising awareness" lets people avoid actually helping.
 
viper1152012 said:
So instead of doing something FOR Puerto Rico he made a 3d VR disaster porn of it......Jesus.

Out of touch much.

Freaking billionaires exploiting situations with the fitness of a porcupine in a nursery.
Click to expand...

I'm just going to assume that the person responsible for his empathy / social awareness is now fired.

"Derek, get in here! The news is saying that my PR VR tour was insensitive to the victims of the hurricane. First, change the news feeds to hide this. Second, you're fired - how dare you not tell me that I was coming off as unempathetic, you know I can't discern this stuff on my own!"
 
gxp500 said:
I don't think people are actually offended here, its just that they see through his charade that he's using a tragedy to promote his company's vr. I mean how dumb are all those executives that thought this was a good idea? They were clearly thinking $$$ first and empathy last.
What's next? Relive the las vegas shooting with oculus vr? Hear the screams, see the panic, feel the bullets...
Click to expand...
Lol last it week was probably all high-fives when they came up with this amazing idea! This week it's probably "I only said yes because Johnson did!"
 
One of the richest men in the world wants to raise awareness of something we already know is a major problem. You know what would help more, Mark? Cutting a cheque, actually travelling the the disaster zone and distributing food, water, medical supplies, etc. But yes, I'm sure the good people of Puerto Rico thank you for your "awareness raising". I'll be sure to do my part and "like" this article.
 
At least Trump visited, shook the hands & comforted the people affected.


Because he's the President? Maybe. But I think he genuinely cared.
watch
 
Don't worry folks, in the years to come, you will see more "ivory tower people" like him handing over "virtual food" to the starving, while they go to banquets afterwards and congratulate themselves on the "intense and difficult" experience.
Don't laugh. It already happens with celebrities and aid in Africa.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top