I don't agree with a lot of the recent anti-Facebook narrative (much of it is prompted by the 2016 election), but I have always been a bit uncomfortable with the 'connecting people' thing he talks about here. Although I like when someone I haven't talked to since high school 'likes' a status update of mine, I don't actually want to be connected to everyone. If I go to a party I don't need my Uncle to see the pics. I think that is what is prompting declining FB usage among young people anyway, the fact that your Mom and your neighborhood grocery store owner is on there makes it different than what FB was ten years ago.
I also believe him when he says that Facebook doesn't purposefully host unseemly material that drives up engagement. Their newsfeed has always changed to reduce that kinda thing (app notifications circa 2008, clickbait titles circa 2011, infographics, quizzes, etc... they all have their run and then get tuned out.) Although Facebook has always been fanatical about growth so I guess it's more about long-term vs short-term engagement vs. not caring about engagement at all.
I also believe him when he says that Facebook doesn't purposefully host unseemly material that drives up engagement. Their newsfeed has always changed to reduce that kinda thing (app notifications circa 2008, clickbait titles circa 2011, infographics, quizzes, etc... they all have their run and then get tuned out.) Although Facebook has always been fanatical about growth so I guess it's more about long-term vs short-term engagement vs. not caring about engagement at all.