Yes, 'The Algorithm' REALLY IS Like That

[TheSword]

No Government or Media either.

The fact it's a perfect propaganda/social engineering/disinformation tool is no accident.

Exactly, John Smith should be allowed to have an account and he can talk about politics all he likes but it has to be his personally. No hiding behind organizations or pseudonyms.

I say this as someone using a pseudonym but one rule for all would be a good thing. It was billed to be a town square however in reality if it is, it seems like a lot of people wear hoodies and masks and shout very loudly.

 

[overgeeked]

Ghouls.

Capitalism. The only thing that matters is making money. Morals, ethics, and life be damned.

 

[overgeeked]

Tiktok is giving out strikes for posting provable facts.

That's the one thing this world hates more than anything else. Honesty.

 

[Belen]

Hence, why I do not use social media. I have watched people become more and more radicalized over the last decade plus. This is because their feeds keep giving them things that will ‘engage’ them and keep them scrolling.

It directly leads to more intolerance and hate.

It is also scary when groups of people all start using the same phrases at the same time.

 

[Lanefan]

"Social" media - isn't.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

"Social" media - isn't.

It is. That is precisely the issue, information spreads more effectively socially, which by definition includes disinformation.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

"Everyone already knows that coffee is hot" was the actual tactic used by McDonalds to challenge a lawsuit. I wouldn't be surprised to see their lawyers trod out something similar if legal action is ever taken on this.

At this very minute, Meta is being sued for creating an algorithm intended to engage tweens and teens, despite having ample in-house evidence that it was causing harm to many of them.

This is different from content-based suits in the past, because Section 230 immunity doesn't apply here.

I am sure Meta is going to throw all the spaghetti at the wall on this, but discovery has not been going great for them.

 

[Velderan]

I would go much further. I really do think the world right now would be dramatically improved if four things all happened.

1. No social media for under 16s

2. Remove the feed and the doomscrolling, the only way to watch a video or story is to personally choose to open it.

3. People should be liable for statements they made on social media if it can be determined that an individual suffered harm through actions that relied on that statement. Eg. unverified health claims, or dangerous activities without telling people about the proper precautions.

And the big one…

4. Only individuals (not groups/organizations) be alllowed social media accounts and they had to provide ID documents/passport driving licence. Their name printed on each post along with their country of origin.

Make it illegal to collect and sell personal info. Most of the problems go away then because there’s a lot less incentive to actually do any of it.