Yes, 'The Algorithm' REALLY IS Like That

[Ryujin]

Predatory algorithms implemented to confuse, enrage, divide, and socially engineer western society?

I'd say that's just a "feature" of modern social media. Social media started with BBS systems, in the pre-Internet days.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'd say that's just a "feature" of modern social media. Social media started with BBS systems, in the pre-Internet days.

And even that was basically just a sped-up version of letters to the editor, with asynchronous "conversations" since most BBSes had only a single line in/out.

 

[Morrus]

Predatory algorithms implemented to confuse, enrage, divide, and socially engineer western society?

So if Facebook fixes its algorithm, it is no longer social media?

 

[Ryujin]

And even that was basically just a sped-up version of letters to the editor, with asynchronous "conversations" since most BBSes had only a single line in/out.

Many, at least early ones, were definitely one line and a co-worker ran one way back then. I provided computers and support to Canada Remote Systems at one of my previous jobs and they had dozens (hundreds?) of lines, all served by 2400B modems. We supported them into the Delrina year, but I was out by the time of the Symantec buy-out.

 

[Belen]

Might be useful to clarify what essential element of social media you think is missing from a forum like EN World to make it not Social Media.

Modern social media is a predatory arena that promotes surface, at best, interaction while really just a platform to push narcissistic tendencies.

It is largely look at me and what I am doing in an effort to get likes etc.

Message boards allow deeper, more human conversations.

Social media may have adopted some aspects of boards and chat rooms but they diverged greatly and are a public cancer that has damaged society.

I know plenty of folks disagree and many enjoy social media.

I have only seen people grow more toxic the more they use it.

 

[Morrus]

Modern social media is a predatory arena that promotes surface, at best, interaction while really just a platform to push narcissistic tendencies.

It is largely look at me and what I am doing in an effort to get likes etc.

Message boards allow deeper, more human conversations.

Social media may have adopted some aspects of boards and chat rooms but they diverged greatly and are a public cancer that has damaged society.

I know plenty of folks disagree and many enjoy social media.

I have only seen people grow more toxic the more they use it.

I think you're just identifying aspects of social media you dislike (and which many people also dislike) and labelling those as social media, while the aspects of social media you like you're labelling as 'not social media'.

Forums are social media. Hell, some of them are even 'predatory arenas which promote surface interaction while really just a platform to push narcissistic tendencies'. Hell, there are forums out there which push far worse than mere narcissism. I'm sure you'd despise those places, too.

This is just social media you like. But it's still social media.

 

[Belen]

I think you're just identifying aspects of social media you dislike (and which many people also dislike) and labelling those as social media, while the aspects of social media you like you're labelling as 'not social media'.

Forums are social media. Hell, some of them are even 'predatory arenas which promote surface interaction while really just a platform to push narcissistic tendencies'. Hell, there are forums out there which push far worse than mere narcissism. I'm sure you'd despise those places, too.

This is just social media you like. But it's still social media.

Folks are free to disagree on definitions.

Someone asked so I responded but I am not trying to argue a point.

I see no benefit to modern social media platforms controlled by people who mine personal data and use it to manipulate.

 

[Morrus]

I see no benefit to modern social media platforms controlled by people who mine personal data and use it to manipulate.

Yes, we got that. On that you were clear. That’s not what I was saying.

 

[Scribe]

So if Facebook fixes its algorithm, it is no longer social media?

If the media companies are not forcing a narrative down our throats, its no more social media than a bulletin board in my house.

 

[Morrus]

If the media companies are not forcing a narrative down our throats, it’s no more social media than a bulletin board in my house.

So BlueSky is not social media?