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> Social networks reflect society. This is well worn territory and no they do not. Society never has had recommendation algorithms pushing radicalizing content
by npunt 6y ago
> Social networks reflect society.
This is well worn territory and no they do not. Society never has had recommendation algorithms pushing radicalizing content/communities for engagement. Nor has society been so interconnected or shared anything like a worldwide commons with content so quickly & easily spread. The outsized reach certain viewpoints have as a result of gaming this system’s focus on engagement does not reflect society’s underlying distribution of beliefs. Though with enough time it will eventually since the medium is distorting consensus. Read up on what’s going on.
Agree Zuck seems worn out, this stuff is far outside his area of expertise. It’s too bad since he’s one of the most powerful CEOs as far as board/share control, so he has more leeway to do anti-revenue, pro-society moves.
- temp8964 6y ago> Society never has had recommendation algorithms pushing radicalizing content/communities for engagement. How did Marxists, Nazis, religious terrorists come to this world? The world had worse before "recommendation algorithms". Books, newspaper, TV, radio, schools, religious institutions have been used to push radical ideologies for thousands of years and still going.
- iamacyborg 6y agoDo you not think the outcome is more easily achieved though a social network than it is for a book, newspaper or radio?
- temp8964 6y agoI don't know which one is easy.
- throwaway316943 6y agoSocial networks existed before the internet.
- hertzrat 6y agoEasier or not, there have been literal witch burnings for centuries, mob “justice”, racism, superstition, willful abuse against minorities... inspired by “popular” trends for millennia.
- iamacyborg 6y agoThere's a difference in scale and speed between witch burning mobs and fake info being spread on whatsapp. The latter likely has killed more.
- hertzrat 6y agoIf you have a reference for that, it would make an interesting read
- iamacyborg 6y agohttps://www.wired.com/story/how-whatsapp-fuels-fake-news-and-violence-in-india/ https://www.wired.com/story/how-whatsapp-fuels-fake-news-and... The genocide in Myanmar is also heavily linked to fake news spread on fb and whatsapp.
- npunt 6y agoI never said or implied radicalization was exclusive to recommendation algorithms, so I’m not sure what you’re arguing. You seem to be confusing the existence of radicalization in history, almost exclusively by large groups with mass media control or within isolated pockets that do not spread, with the degree to which it is possible for extremely small groups or individuals to alter consensus at scale with these rec algos, on purpose or even by accident. Also, will not continue discussion with a 5 karma temp account, sorry.
- throwaway316943 6y agoEvery revolution and coup has been driven by a small group of people utilizing social networks and shared ideology to win an asymmetrical fight. Altering consensus at scale is nothing new.
- ameister14 6y ago>Every revolution and coup has been driven by a small group of people utilizing social networks and shared ideology to win an asymmetrical fight. That's not true at all - where do you get that? There was literally a coup in the last couple of weeks that didn't follow your rule.