5 ms·

> We think it's in your interest as a customer to provide us relevant > behavioral information. No, thanks. My current banks (+PayPal/CC) already know too m

• chc 16y ago
  I think that's the point. You're already being served by a one-size-fits-all algorithm at any place that doesn't know you. Those places are guessing at how to treat you based on how other people act en masse. By learning about you, their algorithm can adapt so that it isn't generic.
  • alecco 16y ago
    > By learning about you, their algorithm can adapt so that it isn't generic. It will still be the same algorithm, for everybody. Yes, it won't offer health insurance to old people or viagra to youngsters. But it will be the same recipe. Banks and credit cards already use sophisticated generic algorithms for advertising. Just because an algorithm adapts to parameters doesn't mean it isn't generic. (In fact, most algorithms "adapt" in some way.) A cool idea instead would be giving control to the customer. Not just configuration but allowing programming of some kind. People are not stupid (no matter what your MBA course taught you.) Sure, humans have issues coordinating and large groups tend to behave at their lowest common denominator, but this isn't the case.
    • Unseelie 16y ago
      If the algorithm contains more pidgin holes, should it be judged based on the fact that it is still an algorithm, or should we actually consider whether it might be a better algorithm?
      • alecco 16y ago
        Almost every practical algorithm I know behaves differently based on input. That doesn't mean it is a different algorithm every time.