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By Eric Johnson
Published Nov 06, 2023

Image credit: Giorgi Balakhadze   CC-BY-SA-4.0

Are Facebook and Instagram Hurting Children?

I love and hate Facebook. I love it because I have used it for years to keep in touch with my family and oldest friends—many of whom I hadn’t heard from much before we all became FB friends. By facilitating instant two-way communications, Facebook became and remains the Internet’s killer app. I hate Facebook because, having studied it closely for years, I do believe that it is literally deadly.

For this week’s newsletter, Jonathan Vankin looks at the lawsuit that California Attorney General Rob Bonta and AGs across the country have filed against Facebook’s and Instagram’s parent company, Meta. The lawsuits allege that Meta exhibited a pattern of behavior in which it purposely caused children to become addicted to its products. (Duh.) The lawsuits describe various profound harms being experienced by our kids, and alleges that Meta’s own documents show that its executives knew that children were getting hurt, and continued these practices anyway.

Scott Galloway, NYU business school professor, offers a succinct analysis of the situation:

I think when we look back on this era of big tech, we’re gonna feel bad about monopoly abuse … we’re going to feel bad about the weaponization of our elections, vaccine misinformation—we’re gonna regret all of it. And I think that’s all gonna be dwarfed by this one regret, and that’s “how the [expletive] did we let this happen to our children?”


Moral Panic or Justifiable Outrage?

We know that kids are spending massive amounts of their lives on social-media sites. We know that there is a full-blown mental-health crisis among today’s teenagers. Are those phenomena related? And is that a corporate crime?


California Sues Meta For Damaging Kids’ Mental Health

How does social media affect the minds and well-being of children? According to California and other states, not well.
California and 32 other states are suing Instagram’s parent company, Meta, saying that their apps are damaging to children. Is there evidence for those claims? Here’s why social media is under attack.

The Dark Mind Behind ‘Engagement’

Rene Girard taught Peter Thiel, the billionaire VC who bankrolled Facebook, that people are driven to imitate each other and move in packs. His mentor meant it as a deadly warning, but Thiel took it as an opportunity to hypnotize a generation.


Desire and Addiction on Facebook

Rene Girard, 'the godfather of the Like button.'
Harper’s magazine reviews a posthumous collection by Rene Girard, who was Peter Thiel’s professor at Stanford, and is called “the godfather of the Like button.”


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Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The chapter serves Sacramento and Yolo counties, as well as southern Placer County.

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From Our Media Allies

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Rancho Cordova Grapevine Independent logo Rancho Cordova Announces New Chief of Police

Current Chief Brandon Luke retires this month, and the city has announced the appointment of Matthew Tamayo as Rancho Cordova’s chief of police.

Sacramento News and Review logo Embracing the Great Outdoors is Vital in Developing Sacramento’s Next Generation

The call of the wild is not just a poetic phrase; it’s a fundamental need, especially in elementary education. It may also be what’s missing from science curriculum.

Folsom Telegraph logo Incarcerated Individuals Earn Job Certifications, Apprenticeships

The California Prison Industry Authority held two graduations at Folsom State Prison, where 60 received industry-accredited certifications or apprenticeships.

Sacramento News and Review logo Storytelling Project Uplifts Voices of South Asian Women

Meghna Bhat’s project “Gulabi Stories” uncovers taboo topics and promotes healing within South Asian communities.

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Recent Local News

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• Angela Davis Says Black Women Have Always Led the Charge for Change

Internationally acclaimed activist and women’s rights warrior Angela Davis was in Sacramento speaking on solutions for ending domestic violence in the Black community.

(11/06/2023) → The Sacramento Observer

• Who’s Running for Sacramento City Council in March 2024?

Sacramento voters living in districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 will weigh in on who represents their area on the city’s law-making body. Candidates who receive more than 50% of the vote in their races would win outright.

(11/06/2023) → CapPublicRadio

• Five NAACP Members Suspended

Greater Sacramento NAACP President Betty Williams and five other members of the organization were suspended last week for alleged financial misappropriations, according to documents obtained by the Sacramento Observer.

(11/03/2023) → The Sacramento Observer

• ‘Largest Holiday Light Festival’ Returns to Sacramento This Winter

Sacramento’s Cal Expo will soon be adorned with bright festive light displays with the return of Imaginarium. The “largest holiday light festival” in the capital city will light up Nov. 17 to Jan. 7, and will feature a circus, Santa, an ice skating rink, and games.

(11/03/2023) → Read the full The Sacramento Bee report

• Summit Tackles Water Challenges Facing California

At the Water Education Foundation annual water summit in Sacramento, Eric Oppenheimer, chief deputy director of the California State Water Resources Control Board, discussed what he described as the state’s “antiquated” water rights system.

(11/02/2023) → Daily Democrat

• Lee Pringle’s Vision: Showcasing the Talents of Black Classical Musicians

The Colour of Music Festival is a classical music festival with one important detail: every musician identifies as Black or African American.

(11/02/2023) → The Sacramento Observer
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Recent Statewide News

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• UC Irvine-Led Science Team Shows How to Eat Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis

In a study published in Nature Sustainability, scientists assessed the potential for wide-scale synthetic production of dietary fats. The raw materials are the same as those used by plants: hydrogen in water and carbon dioxide in the air.

(11/06/2023) → YubaNet

• A Proposed Development Might Threaten California’s Oldest Tree

A shrubby Palmer oak tree in Riverside County is around 13,000 years old, making it California’s oldest tree and one of the longest-lived organisms on earth. Some people are concerned that a proposed development could threaten the tree.

(11/06/2023) → Los Angeles Times

• Newsom Taking New Approach to California’s 10,000 Homeless Veterans

California’s population of homeless veterans has plateaued despite billions of dollars in state spending to create housing for former service members. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to shift resources to focus on veterans with serious mental health conditions.

(11/05/2023) → CalMatters

• What a Theme Park Giant Merger Means for California

Two theme park giants, Six Flags and Cedar Fair, announced they are merging. It could have potential impacts on California theme parks like Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

(11/05/2023) → SFGate

• UC Berkeley to Relinquish More Than 4,000 Ancestral Remains

Tribes like the Muwekma Ohlone have been asking UC Berkeley for decades to give back ancestral remains from burial sites around the Bay Area. The school is in the process of repatriating 4,400 remains and 25,000 tribal items.

(11/03/2023) → ProPublica

• Lakes Are Reappearing in Death Valley

California's Death Valley is Earth’s hottest place and North America’s driest place. Intense rains, though, are causing lakes to briefly reappear.

(11/03/2023) → Newsweek

• Open Enrollment for Covered California Runs Nov. 1 to Jan. 31

It’s that time of the year again when people can get health insurance through Covered California. Here’s more information on how to apply.

(11/03/2023) → Sacramento Bee

• America’s Low-Carbon Transition Could Improve Employment Opportunities for All

The USA is likely to see consistent job growth from the transition to net zero, but the gains will be unevenly distributed, shows a new analysis conducted by Imperial College London researchers and published in Nature Climate Change.

(11/03/2023) → YubaNet

• Tech Layoffs Continuing in California

Four technology companies, including Google, have announced they're laying off close to 1,700 workers in California. This follows tech layoffs that have been underway since last year.

(11/02/2023) → San Francisco Chronicle

• Schiff Gets Endorsement From CA Assembly Speaker in U.S. Senate Race

California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has endorsed Rep. Adam Schiff in a crowded U.S. Senate race. Other candidates include representatives Barbara Lee and Katie Porter.

(11/02/2023) → Los Angeles Times

• Australian Wine Conglomerate Spends $900 Million for Daou Vineyards

The acquisition includes the Daou brand, Daou Mountain Estate, four luxury wineries, and around 400 acres of vineyards in Adelaida District of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County.

(11/01/2023) → San Joaquin Valley Sun

• A Big Year of Snow in California Was Horrific for Endangered Sheep

Researchers tell LAist that half of California’s population of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, which are endangered, died last winter due to record weather. Causes of death include avalanches, starvation and getting eaten by mountain lions after moving to lower elevations for food.

(10/31/2023) → LAist

• UCLA Scientist: California’s Redwoods Might Not Last Another Century

A UCLA climate scientist says California’s redwoods might not last in their current groves for another 100 years. An effort is afoot to plant redwoods elsewhere in more potentially hospitable climates, such as the Pacific Northwest.

(10/31/2023) → New York Times
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Government Announcements

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Image of Santa Cruz County Office of Education seal. Santa Cruz County Office of Education   (11/03/2023)

Join the Holiday Food & Fund Drive

Dear community member, The Santa Cruz COE is proud to participate in the 2023 Holiday Food and Fund Drive hosted by Second Harvest Food Bank, which launches today and runs through January 15. I have the honor of serving as co-chair for this year's campaign along with Susan True, CEO of the Community Foundation of Santa [...] The post Join …
Image of Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission seal. Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission   (11/03/2023)

Highway 1 Project Continues with Bridge Columns and Drainage Work

Construction continues on a project to construct northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Highway 1 between the 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive interchanges and to construct a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer Avenue. For the week of November 5, crews will continue with daytime grading northbound, as well as excavation... [Read More]
Image of Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission seal. Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission   (11/02/2023)

Pre-Construction Work on Highway 1 Between Bay/Porter and State Park Drive Begins this Week

Pre-construction work begins this week on a project which will construct northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder facilities on Highway 1 between the Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive interchanges. The project will also replace the existing Capitola Avenue local roadway overcrossing and construct a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Mar Vista... [Read More]
Image of City of Watsonville seal. City of Watsonville   (11/02/2023)

Day of the Dead Celebration 2023

Image of City of Scotts Valley seal. City of Scotts Valley   (10/31/2023)

New Staff Members

Please welcome our two new staff in leadership positions!
Image of Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission seal. Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission   (10/31/2023)

RTC Seeking Input for Project Aimed at Adapting County Transportation Network for Climate Resiliency

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is seeking community input through an online survey on its Climate Adaptation Vulnerability Assessment and Priorities Report (CAVA) project. The RTC, the County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development & Infrastructure, and the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery & Resiliency are partnering on the... [Read More]
Image of Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission seal. Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission   (10/30/2023)

RTC Seeking Input on Use of Measure D Funds on Regional Highway, Trail, Rail, and Lift Line Projects

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) invites the community to provide input on how it plans to invest voter-approved Measure D revenues. Measure D, the transportation improvement ballot measure passed by over 2/3 of Santa Cruz County voters in November 2016, provides funds for highway, trail, rail, multimodal local road, and transit programs... [Read More]
Image of City of Capitola seal. City of Capitola   (10/30/2023)

2023 - 2031 Housing Element Update

Click here to learn more about the City's Housing Element Update  
Image of City of Capitola seal. City of Capitola   (10/30/2023)

Chief Advisory Committee

Chief's Advisory Committee Welcome to the Capitola Police Chief’s Advisory Committee.  Capitola Police Department (CPD) highly values its partnership with the community and recognizes that having public engagement contributes toward a successful law enforcement agency.  Continuing with the Department’s mission to collaborate with the community to make Capitola a better and safer place for all its residents, business community, and …
Image of City of Capitola seal. City of Capitola   (10/30/2023)

Announcing CruzAware Reverse 9-1-1 Notification System

County, 9-1-1 Launch Improved Alert, and Warning System.   If you previously signed up for CodeRED notifications, you will automatically receive a text message when the switchover to CruzAware is complete.