1. In a capitalist society, I should be able to name the price for something that belongs to me.

2. FaceCrook still has my data after they sell it. Part of their valuation is based on the future value of all the data they have accumulated.

>name calling will not engender support for your position

I find that humor is an effective counter to power. These corporations that are selling the masses trinkets for something of true value while wasting the talents of our "best and brightest" on stalkertech deserve ridicule. Why should I afford these petty crooks any respect?

1. In a capitalist society price is dictated by supply/demand

I would expect Facebook's valuation is less about knowing you like dogs and more on the fact that their advertising system allows people to show dog teeshirts directly to people who like dogs

I'm surprised the average user's data is worth even $20/year

You are severely underestimating (or understating) the power of big data.

You really think their stalkertech amounts to: user#=1337, likes=dogs???

no but back to the economic argument the supply is so significant that no one person's data is worth jack unless they're a politician or something like that. Individually its basically worthless.

Shouldn't I be allowed to set the price for my data? Frankly, I don't want to sell it at all, so these companies are essentially engaging in theft (ergo "FaceCrook"). Due to their network effect monopoly (and the blatant failings of our govt to effectively enforce anti-trust laws and to generally protect consumers from corporate abuse), I am forced to use their platform. Even if I didn't, they would still be stealing my data.