Thanks for this article! It’s so true. If you haven’t already seen it, I recommend the Netflix movie “The Social Dilemma” or any of Tristan Harris’ other works. Harris, Jaron Lanier (founder of virtual reality), and Yuval Noah Harari (author of Sapiens and Homo Deus) all argue that the algorithm models have vastly far-flung consequences on society at large. In short, recommendation engines have shattered reality into unique realms that each user has inadvertently catered for themselves. If a married couple were to open their social media feeds and trade devices, the contrast between the two is stark indeed. This can help to explain some of the hyperpolarization and the rise of conspiracy theory that culminated in the Capitol riots back in January. Echo chambers, information silos, confirmation bias; these have all accelerated at an incredible rate because of the dynamics and incentives you’ve outlined here.
On the other hand, there are amazing tools, like podcasts, substack and FB groups that can connect people like you and me and allow us to reach an audience that would have been inaccessible except to the privileged few even a few decades ago. Finding our balance remains the challenge.
Hi Shirin,
Thanks for this article! It’s so true. If you haven’t already seen it, I recommend the Netflix movie “The Social Dilemma” or any of Tristan Harris’ other works. Harris, Jaron Lanier (founder of virtual reality), and Yuval Noah Harari (author of Sapiens and Homo Deus) all argue that the algorithm models have vastly far-flung consequences on society at large. In short, recommendation engines have shattered reality into unique realms that each user has inadvertently catered for themselves. If a married couple were to open their social media feeds and trade devices, the contrast between the two is stark indeed. This can help to explain some of the hyperpolarization and the rise of conspiracy theory that culminated in the Capitol riots back in January. Echo chambers, information silos, confirmation bias; these have all accelerated at an incredible rate because of the dynamics and incentives you’ve outlined here.
On the other hand, there are amazing tools, like podcasts, substack and FB groups that can connect people like you and me and allow us to reach an audience that would have been inaccessible except to the privileged few even a few decades ago. Finding our balance remains the challenge.