The Algorithm
An algorithm is simply a procedure used for solving a problem or performing a computation. However on the internet the term
algorithm has a unique connotation. On the internet algorithms are often personified, if you’ve spent any time on a social media
platform you’ve likely heard people talk about The Algorithm. There is a very clear personality attributed to The Algorithm as well
where it is often seen as this cold nefarious being who is out to get you or bend you to its will.
In artist circles especially this is often talked about where artists comment on how their business and livelihood is often at
the whims of The Algorithm or how they are done trying to fight or follow The Algorithm and need to focus on what they want to
do for their own mental health. There are often a lot of posts reminding artists that their work’s value shouldn’t be tied to
how well it performs as “it just depends on which posts are a hit with or chosen by The Algorithm.” While it is a good thing for
artists to hear that they should do the work they want to and take care of themselves and not associate their work’s value with
the amount of likes they get, it doesn’t really paint an accurate picture of social media algorithms.
The Algorithm is simply a process designed to show you posts that its data suggests you would be interested in based on what it
thinks it knows about you and your likes, which itself is based on demographics and posts that you have previously interacted with.
While the people behind them could have intentions, the machine itself is morally neutral.
While algorithms can have negative connotations online, I doubt most would want to be on social media without them.
It creates a more streamlined user experience and makes it to where you are more likely to find the content you enjoy.
Even using algorithms for ads is likely more enjoyable so you are at least able to see content you have an interest
in potentially making the process slightly less insufferable.
So what should we do about algorithms on the internet? Well as stated, algorithms on their own are morally neutral, a mere tool.
However, tools can be used for good or bad when they are used. So while I doubt anyone wants to use social media or other spaces
on the internet without algorithms it would likely be ideal for users to have some direct sway over what content The Algorithm
presents them with. For example, it has become a thing on Instagram and Tik Tok where people never say the word “die” or “kill”,
its “unalive.” This is a trend seen with many other serious topics where people say everything but the actual word. Despite many
complaints about this indirectness people point out that when they say the actual word their posts don’t get seen and The Algorithm
suppresses their content. This can cause a really dangerous disconnect with these serious topics that are still being talked about
but with incorrect language. While these systems also have “interested” or “not interested” buttons that should influence the posts
they see, they can often still have their choices ignored. The people who create and implement these systems at the end of the day
still have some control and preferences that can be subjected to these systems and this is where Algorithms can turn particularly
negative. Some checks and balances would be appropriate for these systems even if there is not much that can be done about them.
Overall, The Algorithm is very representative of electorate values. Afterall the core of their design is to keep you
interacting with the digital world for as long as possible. To keep users entertained, distant from the world around them and
immersed in fantasy. To facilitate the creation and use of memes and trends, to connect people with aesthetics that appeal to
them, and to make you feel whatever way will keep you connected with the digital. algorithms are vital to our experiences on
the internet, in fact The Algorithm may be the very backbone of electracy.
Welcome to the Digital Panacea!
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