This is a good point. It seems plausible to me that a recommendation algorithm should "feel out" a user by putting a variety of options in the sidebar. What I

This is a good point. It seems plausible to me that a recommendation algorithm should "feel out" a user by putting a variety of options in the sidebar. What I don't totally understand is how it determines the directed nature of the recommendation graph, and how the destinations are labeled. What does it mean to "end up" at "alt right" videos? Do the recommendations have to exclusively lean right or just mostly? What about higher vs lower recommendations? If there are recommendation patterns that go left but don't end up in a tight loop are they considered somehow? There could also be some dependence from the chosen starting video / topic. I'd be curious to see the results from a variety of starting points. Basically, it's an interesting exploration but I'd like to see it with the rigor of a peer reviewed paper, more than just the NYT.