You can’t live your best life anymore. People can’t think, reason, or act for themselves because social media platforms and the way algorithms are set up have you controlled and you don’t even know it, or maybe you do. Well, you probably should and I hope I can shed some light on how today’s algorithms are set up to put more distance between the American people and you more connected to those that have the same thoughts and viewpoints as you do.
Here is my Week 3 Blog Post. It’s on another channel I operate. I wanted to switch to my own personal page because I am getting more expressive as I am learning a lot more in our Introduction to Social Media class with Capella.
My Week 3 Blog Post: Then, I put it all on our Blog at https://heretomorrow.org/2021/12/04/here-tomorrow-is-presenting-to-the-state-leaders/
I want to shed light (objectively) of course on how algorithms today are designed to have cognitive biases that intensify homophily and contribute to isolation amongst people. I see this everyday in my work in mental health and depression which ultimately lead to the clients I see in my office thinking suicide is their answer because they’re feeling alone and a burden or disappointment in society.
Here are the risks if you’re not aware of how your digital footprint is being created and the American people are being divided. The phenomenon of social media networks is bringing about more bullying, hate speech, political extremism, and radicalization of terrorists, and stronger left and right wing groups.
As a professional speaker for the past 30 years I’ve spoken to well over 4,000 live audiences in 49 countries and every Province in Canada, not to mention all 50 states. One question, I have always asked is, “Who is the hardest person to get to know?” I hear whispers every time from people saying, “Ourselves.” Yes. Exactly. The Ancients say, “Know thyself.” We are terrible at this, aren’t we? Now the internet is making it that much harder for us to get to know ourselves.
The internet is getting to know you more than you know yourself. Everything about you can be computed from our Facebook likes (McCarthy-Jones, 2017). Machines are using our online data for a digital footprint that you’re not aware of. The result is that your online data knows more about you than your friends and family members. Artificial intelligence is using our social network data, and it’ll know even more. The new challenge is how to live in a world when others know you better than you know yourself. WOW! Think about that and you’re really f*cked, huh?
Gather around the campfire with people you don’t even know, but you do because you all share commonalities. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have all brought you closer together because of all the data they have captured.
Being present online today comes with a cost personally and politically. You must decide if the benefits of being so present online outweigh the cost and control.
Social networking is addictive. The chemical dopamine is a drug that infiltrates the human mind saying, “I want more . . . I want more.” Before you know it half the day is gone and you’re still perusing Tik Tok videos.
Sean Parker, the first president of Facebook, recently discussed the thought process that went into building this social network. He described it as being:
All about how do we consume as much of your time and conscious attention as possible?
Sean Parker, Facebook
To do this, the user had to be given:
A little dopamine hit every once in a while because someone liked or commented on a photo or a post . . . and that’s going to get you to contribute more.
Sean Parker, Facebook
That is the problem today.
Years ago, algorithms were user friendly to keep you engaged and on the platform (2019). Today, it’s changed. Algorithms are for people who produce content consistently because you become a fan and express a liking to that user or content so you get more of that information. Now you and this content creator are shared likes and interests and ads are generated by the algorithms to produce revenue. The focus is on likes and dislikes for competition to sell and produce revenue. It’s about buying and selling.
That is why you are bombarded with consistent ads to keep you on the platform as long as possible and you’re being targeted with those that have the same captured data as you because everything is being recorded and documented.
You can’t think, reason, and act anymore because our social media platforms aren’t engaging in discussions like face-to-face connection. So, we are all in agreement with like-minded people because we aren’t not seeing other views from people.
In my opinion, we need to let the internet control us less. How do we do that?
You’re More Than an Algorithm
You can’t beat the algorithm game. However, you can be more objective and broaden your thoughts processes. Click on stories or links you might not normally read. Do some more research and fact checking. Have more of an open-mind. Be more willing to hear opposing views. Do not allow yourself to be put into a box. You can certainly enjoy being around the campfire with others who have different views and get along.
We need to keep control of how we want our world to be. Don’t get sucked in to one way thinking. You’re too smart for that.
References:
YouTube. (2019, February 18). Social Media Algorithms for dummies. YouTube. Retrieved December 11, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbyrHM7y5u8.
McCarthy-Jones, S. (2017, December 8). Are Social Networking Sites Controlling your mind? Scientific American. Retrieved December 11, 2021, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-social-networking-sites-controlling-your-mind/.