Question of the Day

With billions of active users, Facebook is the most popular social network in the world with an enormous social impact. One of the biggest referrals for this blog is Facebook and even though I personally don’t use it (other than to browse groups), I appreciate how important it is. Are you on Facebook?

This week we learned how others were able to acquire personal information for millions of Facebook users without their permission, interestingly, not due to a breach. Apparently this is how Facebook functions. People get to use it for free and in return, Facebook gets to harvest data about their users and sell it off for advertising and other purposes. Google and others also have such information but I’m not sure whether the founder, Mark Zuckerberg, is up to protecting people’s information. After all, in 2004 he had this to say in an instant message:

Zuck: Yeah so if you ever need info about anyone at Harvard
Zuck: Just ask
Zuck: I have over 4,000 emails, pictures, addresses, SNS
[Redacted Friend’s Name]: What? How’d you manage that one?
Zuck: People just submitted it.
Zuck: I don’t know why.
Zuck: They “trust me”
Zuck: Dumb fucks

I wonder if he took any ethics classes while at Harvard? Considering all that has happened would you ever consider not using Facebook?

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This week we learned about a backyard chicken workshop next week which got me thinking about the eggs I sometimes buy at the farmers market. Can you tell the difference between store-bought eggs and those from the farmers market or freshly laid eggs? Do you shop at the farmers market? What things are you inclined to buy there?

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This week we learned about someone searching for an anniversary memento from the Alamo Creek Restaurant. As time goes by more old-time restaurants close, replaced by sleeker versions offering nouveau cuisine popular right now. Which classic restaurant do you miss the most? Anyone remember Bing Crosby’s next to Macy’s?

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Photo by Flickr user conticium

With the diversity of music I listen to in the cloud, Apple Music specifically, I feel like it would be fun to go to a concert to see it live. Who would you most like to see?

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Photo by Flickr user koreanet

As the 2018 Winter Olympics is underway in PyeongChang, South Korea, it’s fun to watch the different sports being played such as figure skating, skiing, hockey and more. My favorite is short track speed skating. Are you watching the olympics? What is your favorite?

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Recently I drove down to Monterey Bay Aquarium. It had been a few years since the last time I visited and I enjoyed seeing familiar animals such as jellyfish, sea otters, sharks, sardines, anchovies and of course the kelp forest. Seeing my son interact with the animals made it even more special. What is your favorite day trip excursion?

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Photo by Flickr user armydre2008

Are we turning into a cashless society? As paying via credit cards and more recently via phone apps like Apple and Google Pay, Venmo and other services becomes easier, there is less of a need to pay with cash. Yesterday we learned that the restaurant Tender Greens is going Cashless next week. You can pay the parking meter by credit card as well.

I find myself rarely needing to use cash these days. Do you use cash anymore? Is this a good thing?

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Photo by Flickr user vegateam

Yesterday we learned that Pokeatery opened in Walnut Creek and one thing that caught my eye was the Dole whip float which sure looked delicious. As it gets hotter out I think that’ll be irresistible. The week before I was at Ghirardelli in San Francisco and saw just about the biggest smile one can see as my kid devoured a Coke chocolate ice cream float. What is your favorite dessert?

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