That was unnecessarily condescending…

I know “algorithm” is not a dirty word. Algorithms are used almost everywhere for almost anything. But when we mention " the Algorithm" colloquially these days we know that we’re talking about algorithmic influence in engagement in digital platforms. And how it can have unintended consequences or dark incentives structured within them.

Which was precisely why I was talking about these filters. Not from a place of like/dislike but because of its inherent reward system and how it rewards rage and disgust, exactly as media experts warned everyone it would with the algorithms at the core of the other platforms.

And if you are denying and saying that the same is not already occurring here, you’re being disingenuous in this exchange. As one only needs to go through their feed with these filters enabled on navigating across all the federated instances to see the rageposting and disgust at the top. The few exceptions will only prove the rest is the rule.

It’s frustrating, because people are not engaging with what I wrote, and are only replying deflections instead of addressing the direct criticism at the core of my argument.

I’m not insulting anyone, I’m not throwing shade at people for enjoying memes, as I do to. I’m merely pointing out the perverse incentive lying at the core of this feature.

And it doesn’t matter if I don’t like it, I can just not use it, because it’s the enabled option in everyone that uses that will be driving their behaviour and fulfilling the loop with its dark incentives.

Why are people not engaging with what I’m saying? I even said “I’m no better” because I will fall prey to it if I leave it on, or even if I feel tempted to go back to it from time to time. That is why I don’t.

But I still see the posts that get the most interactions and comments.

This is not an armless feature. This is what broke the civic nature of discussion in society through social media. This loop of incentive will always lead to rage and disgust to raise above all else. And reward derangement in people that seek attention for attention sake.

I don’t know what else to say…

I’m sorry if I insulted anyone by pointing this out. But I don’t see how my comment can be misconstrued as a personal attack on anyone. As it is just an avaluation of a proposition through its inherent consequences. This is basic level of scientific method right here.

This is not about liking/disliking. I really dislike coffee, and I have offered a coffee machine as a birthday gift to a friend. More than once, actually. I can have people enjoy things I dislike with no hint of an issue. It’s even baffling to me when others don’t know how to.

This is about adressing an issue at its core. And out it influences behaviour and the user base at large.