> That, however, is one of the reasons I spend so much time working on recommender systems. There is always an algorithm. The default one promotes rage, controv

> That, however, is one of the reasons I spend so much time working on recommender systems. There is always an algorithm. The default one promotes rage, controversy and misinformation. But we don’t have to stick with the default. No we don't. But does anyone think that Twitter would have risen as it has if it did not select for rage and controversy? There is an algorithm on another layer of the stack that filters out more neutral content: The free choices of users in an open market. If Twitter (et al.) did make an effort to screen out its most viral content it would simply lose market share to a platform that doesn't.