Is the internet expanding or narrowing our minds?

Why do you see what you see online and in social media and how can that influence your identity and behavior? Co-produced with ‪@CommonSenseEducation‬
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Why do you see what you see online and on social media?
What content you see on a given social app or search engine isn’t random- it’s super curated content. And it’s curated by recommendation algorithms. Recommendation algorithms are essentially the computer instructions for how a given social app or search engine decides what to show you.
How do recommendation algorithms work?
Basically, these algorithms are designed to keep you on a given social app for as long as possible. They do that by learning what you like and showing you more of that content. They consider a bunch of stuff when deciding what to show you. For instance, they collect data on what we’re watching, clicking, liking, commenting, sharing, buying, where we live, etc. They also consider what everyone else is liking and watching too. But exactly what and how all these things are ranked to give you the content that shows up in your feed is top secret. Plus, companies are constantly tweaking and changing their algorithms.
Why do social apps use recommendation algorithms?
There’s tons of content out there so recommendation algorithms sift through that content and show us what they think is the most relevant stuff to us. In the end, social apps and KZread want to keep you on the platform for as long as possible so they can show you more ads and make more money- and they do that by showing you stuff they think is gonna keep you on the app the longest.
What’s dangerous about recommendation algorithms?
Recommendation algorithms can trap users in echo chambers or filter bubbles- where you are served content that just reinforces what you already believe. This is particularly true when it comes to news and politics- and has been cited as a reason for increased political polarization in America. These recommendation algorithms can also spread misinformation, disinformation and propaganda. Content that is emotionally charged tends to go viral because a lot of users engage with that content- and sometimes that means these algorithms are spreading misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda. There are also reports that users can get sucked into radicalization rabbit holes as algorithms serve up more and more extreme content.
SELECTED SOURCES
Facebook’s Algorithms Fueled…. (The Conversation)
theconversation.com/facebooks...
The Social Media Echo Chamber Is Real (Ars Technica)
arstechnica.com/science/2017/...
Algorithms in Social Media Platforms (Internet Justice Society)
www.internetjustsociety.org/a...
Fueling the Fire (NYU/ Stern)
static1.squarespace.com/stati...
How TikTok Reads Your Mind (NY Times)
www.nytimes.com/2021/12/05/bu...
For You Page: TikTok and Identity (Debating Networks and Communities Conference IX)
networkconference.netstudies.o...
TEACHERS
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:55 What are recommendation algorithms?
2:00 How social media algorithms work
4:21 Pros of recommendation algorithms
4:51 Dangers of recommendation algorithms
7:10 Tips to make recommendation algorithms work for you

Пікірлер: 38

  • @beamteammom5431
    @beamteammom54312 жыл бұрын

    The algorithm led me to your channel because it knows I like learning about how the world and my own mind works. Keep up the good work!

  • @AboveTheNoise

    @AboveTheNoise

    2 жыл бұрын

    In this case, we approve of the algorithm’s wisdom! Lol

  • @theysisossenthime
    @theysisossenthime2 жыл бұрын

    I seem to confuse the algorithms. They usually give me ads in languages I do not speak (maybe because I consume a lot of content that I run though translators), keep changing what gender they think I am (probably because I'm non-binary), and other odd behaviors. I love it though because it keeps giving me fresh content perspectives. If I got stuck in an echo chamber of content, I would abandon a platform.

  • @AboveTheNoise

    @AboveTheNoise

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sounds like you are in a good place to defy categorization and learn more about the world! Congratulations.

  • @theysisossenthime

    @theysisossenthime

    2 жыл бұрын

    ​@@AboveTheNoise I knew the algorithms existed before your video, but I didn't realize how lucky I have been. I choose to stop using Google's search engine because it constrained results too much, but so far I've seemed to have avoided negative repercussions of many of the other algorithms. I wonder if there is something we can learn from pooling the experiences people have to figure out how to break out of these algorithms. I doubt my behaviors are optimal, and I bet that there are many tricks out there -- like the example shared in the video on having a second account to consume content from a different (sub) culture. I would love to learn more on that.

  • @GameTesterBootCamp
    @GameTesterBootCamp Жыл бұрын

    Interests getting more and more niche is a good thing in my book. It means that advertisers and content creators will have to actually think of their specific AUDIENCE rather than trying to make "The most broadly liked content possible." As far as the "Echo Chamber" issue; the ownness is on the VIEWER to seek out conflicting opinions and viewpoints. To leave that up to anyone else, especially an AI, is foolish and just BEGGING to be manipulated. Seek out conflicting sources, do your homework, expand your mind

  • @thomasr.jackson2940
    @thomasr.jackson29402 жыл бұрын

    More good stuff. We need to be proactive in what we consume, not just take what comes. This has _always_ been hard. It is _so_ much easier now to find diverse views. But you still have to actively try!

  • @jim4859
    @jim48592 жыл бұрын

    This is well worth thinking about to find some way to keep in control of your life and even your money. My way is to pretty narrowly limit my time on "social media". Another thought provoking video.

  • @AboveTheNoise
    @AboveTheNoise2 жыл бұрын

    How do you feel about the content that dominates your social media feeds? Do you feel it represents you and what you care about? Ever try to game the algorithm to have more control over what you see?

  • @ArtArtisian

    @ArtArtisian

    2 жыл бұрын

    An odd thing: I've had a harder time gaming the youtube algorithm since getting a membership. They re-introduce adds if you attempt to browse 'incognito' or the like, which is just a worse experience overall. The silent changes to how subscription works hasn't helped over the years...

  • @AboveTheNoise

    @AboveTheNoise

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ArtArtisian interesting. It's all so mysterious.

  • @rockgrlx
    @rockgrlx2 жыл бұрын

    I think I might try setting up the duplicate account and playing with the algorithm. See what happens 🤷‍♀️. One thing I will say, the ads that I’m targeted with are of ZERO interest to me though. I get targeted with high end clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics as one example. I couldn’t care less about a Tiffany necklace or some Gucci shoes. How much do you want to bet, as soon as I resume scrolling, I’m going to get hit with both JUST because I typed it in a comment. I’ve texted people about something and then get ads for it. Future-thinking me wonders how far they plan on taking this.

  • @AboveTheNoise

    @AboveTheNoise

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good to keep asking that question. There’s a lot companies will never reveal about how the collect data.

  • @robr9411
    @robr941115 күн бұрын

    How interesting that your video on AI algorithms targets one side of the political spectrum (twice). Good news! You can use this video to teach about bias!

  • @palestrinha179
    @palestrinha1792 жыл бұрын

    I have plenty of accounts and this video was suggested in my "doesn't care about anything" profile.

  • @AboveTheNoise

    @AboveTheNoise

    2 жыл бұрын

    😆

  • @korvatusklok4059
    @korvatusklok40592 жыл бұрын

    Very rarely does the KZread algorithm actually suggest something I like. My interests are so all over the place that most algorithms struggle. Netflix never suggested anything I wanted to watch and even Google struggles. Lol. I guess I'm "special" in all the wrong ways.

  • @mattbrown2983
    @mattbrown29832 жыл бұрын

    We're have already zombies out of humans...

  • @likebot.
    @likebot.2 жыл бұрын

    Huehuehue... This is the only social medium I've ever used (unless you count olde tyme off-line BBSs) and I only watch things from my subscriptions bucket. My 300+ channels are pretty much not getting an algorithm penalty or bump from me. For example: Primitive Technologies hasn't uploaded for yonks until last week and I still watched, QI uploads almost daily and I only watch the ones without Clive Anderson in them.

  • @ohtheresheis8542
    @ohtheresheis85422 жыл бұрын

    would love to know more about how to get exposed to different content and sources

  • @AboveTheNoise

    @AboveTheNoise

    2 жыл бұрын

    Did you watch the whole video? There are some good tips at the end.

  • @ohtheresheis8542

    @ohtheresheis8542

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@AboveTheNoise yes, of course I did. But having another account is a bit impractical and I found that to be the most actionable advice in the video

  • @AboveTheNoise

    @AboveTheNoise

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good point, and thanks for sharing that feedback. There’s also the advice of making it a point of talking to people in your life who think differently to you. But we hope it’s clear, too, that actively searching for and watching content that challenged your POV will eventually serve you more contrasting content from different sources. You might not agree with what you see, but at least you’ll have that exposure.

  • @jacobv3396
    @jacobv33962 жыл бұрын

    I have some conservative people on my Facebook and they frequently post conspiracy theories and the like. Once in a while I'll get conservative ads on here (more than liberal) and I have no idea why. Also, I keep getting inundated with Mud Water ads on here even though I keep hitting "don't show this ad again". The algorithm is strange. 😆

  • @AboveTheNoise

    @AboveTheNoise

    2 жыл бұрын

    Mud Water has some serious algorithm busting mojo. I get those ads all the time and I can’t imagine drinking that stuff.

  • @LemonDove
    @LemonDove2 жыл бұрын

    I mainly get stuff about Blorbo from my shows, but maybe I’m not hearing enough from Florfo stans

  • @Duraputer
    @Duraputer2 жыл бұрын

    Social media algorithms made me steal my brother's minecraft account.

  • @pylytycona
    @pylytycona4 ай бұрын

    Like,verte interest

  • @cestlavegan5793
    @cestlavegan57932 жыл бұрын

    Wow a topic that isn’t politicized… Yet! Although the bit about conservative TikTok users as an example of echo chambers did reveal this channel’s liberal bias hehe. To answer the video’s main question: I think the internet can both expand and narrow your mind. It’s just another tool. Tools can help or harm, depending on how they’re used.

  • @wmsjohnsonr

    @wmsjohnsonr

    11 ай бұрын

    yes that comment about rightwing content leading to radical white supremacist is a telling example. otherwise the video is very good. The more conservative example would be how looking up gender bias lead to content about how to you determine if you are really a girl and how to transition to being a boy.

  • @rickmeyer926
    @rickmeyer926 Жыл бұрын

    I wish there was an algorithm to choose who's the best choice for president. We probably wouldn't be circling the drain.

  • @florentbarale6233
    @florentbarale62332 жыл бұрын

    Sorry, can’t like or subscribe to your content. Otherwise I would be feeding the monster algorithm

  • @AboveTheNoise

    @AboveTheNoise

    2 жыл бұрын

    Oh, we're just commenting on how it all works and how you can have more agency over what you see. So, by all means, like and subscribe so that our fine content is in there for nutritional value. Lol.

  • @alberttran9111
    @alberttran91112 жыл бұрын

    In Instagram, I went to Search section and got too many otter and hedgehog posts because I enjoyed searching up for otter and hedgehog contents. Thanks to the so-called “algorithm”.

  • @AboveTheNoise

    @AboveTheNoise

    2 жыл бұрын

    In that case, maybe branch out into some other species? Trying searching for “axolotl” and see what you think of the results!

  • @alberttran9111

    @alberttran9111

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@AboveTheNoise I checked it out. Wow cool, I never seen an axoloti before. It is a aquatic creature.

  • @abeidiot
    @abeidiot5 ай бұрын

    I simply do not think of these recommendation algorithms as 'internet'. The internet is much broader than that