Current algorithms are made to maximize clicks, view time, engagement, etc… Things that result in ad revenue or in keeping you on for as long as possible (and thus, ad revenue). What would incentivize these companies to allow you customize your algorithm in a way that would likely reduce your overall value to them?
As for the polarization problem—it’s bad enough already, and existing solutions don’t seem to be working very well to solve it. Might as well try new things. Nothing is as polarizing as cable news anyway.
Right, i assumed it was common knowledge at this point that companies make their algorithms that way for this reason, and that they don’t have an incentive to change them, so i didn’t even mention it.
And this is true for any discussion about how the algorithm should be different, you either need to find a way in which the companies have an incentive to make the change, try to compete with them, or force them to do it.
So i suggested to solve this by forcing the big ones to do this by law (I don’t think small social media sites should be regulated, the only ones that should be regulated are those that dominate the market through network effects, especially if they’re utility-like).
Current algorithms are made to maximize clicks, view time, engagement, etc… Things that result in ad revenue or in keeping you on for as long as possible (and thus, ad revenue). What would incentivize these companies to allow you customize your algorithm in a way that would likely reduce your overall value to them?
As for the polarization problem—it’s bad enough already, and existing solutions don’t seem to be working very well to solve it. Might as well try new things. Nothing is as polarizing as cable news anyway.
Right, i assumed it was common knowledge at this point that companies make their algorithms that way for this reason, and that they don’t have an incentive to change them, so i didn’t even mention it.
And this is true for any discussion about how the algorithm should be different, you either need to find a way in which the companies have an incentive to make the change, try to compete with them, or force them to do it.
So i suggested to solve this by forcing the big ones to do this by law (I don’t think small social media sites should be regulated, the only ones that should be regulated are those that dominate the market through network effects, especially if they’re utility-like).