Facebook's decision to create a 'fake and then real' app, which will clone Polymarket's gamified features, has been met with skepticism. The company's history of launching new ideas is marred by a lack of innovation, with its attempts to create new interaction paradigms, such as AI glasses and interaction UI, being met with criticism. Mark Zuckerberg's approach to identifying emerging engagement mechanics, which he believes will disrupt the old ones, has been successful in the past, but his company's ability to execute on these ideas has been lacking.
The implication of Facebook's decision is that the next big engagement mechanic is likely to be gambling, which has been a major trend in recent years. The company's data suggests that users transition from messaging apps to gambling platforms, such as FanDuel, and by incorporating a gambling mechanic into its app, Facebook can capitalize on this trend and increase user engagement. However, critics argue that this approach is problematic, as it can lead to addiction and other negative consequences.
Facebook's decision to prioritize engagement over user well-being has been criticized by some, who argue that the company is more concerned with making money than with creating a positive user experience. The company's history of prioritizing engagement over user safety has been a major concern, and its decision to create a 'fake and then real' app that incorporates gambling mechanics has only added to these concerns.