Google’s influence on society is both unparalleled and poorly understood. At last count in September of 2013, the company served over 3 billion searches per day. Most of us use Google, and we’re far more likely to click the top few results. If Google is determining what we’re more likely to read, and if reading can change belief, then Google’s algorithm can change millions of beliefs daily
I myself have changed beliefs – and in one case my entire worldview – based on what I found through Google. I’m happier for it, but I can’t help thinking a few different top results may have changed the course of my life forever.
Most people either don’t know or don’t care how Google chooses results, as long as they find what they’re looking for. That might be fine when you’re looking for an address or a cake recipe, but are we comfortable with an unknown algorithm subtly influencing which political and philosophical opinions are most relevant and silencing opposing voices?
The popular social sharing site reddit is an example of a spiral of silence. When users post a new link or comment, other users vote on whether they like the content or not. Reddit sorts content by popularity, voting a comment up results in more visibility and thus a higher chance of being voted up further. If users vote a comment down quickly most people will never see it. Despite “reddiquette” encouraging users not to downvote for disagreement, users’ inherent confirmation bias means the most visible content appeals to reddit’s overall demographic and the demographics in its sub-sections. Downvotes push unpopular arguments so far down the page that casual readers rarely ever see opposing viewpoints. Full story...
Related posts:
I myself have changed beliefs – and in one case my entire worldview – based on what I found through Google. I’m happier for it, but I can’t help thinking a few different top results may have changed the course of my life forever.
Most people either don’t know or don’t care how Google chooses results, as long as they find what they’re looking for. That might be fine when you’re looking for an address or a cake recipe, but are we comfortable with an unknown algorithm subtly influencing which political and philosophical opinions are most relevant and silencing opposing voices?
The popular social sharing site reddit is an example of a spiral of silence. When users post a new link or comment, other users vote on whether they like the content or not. Reddit sorts content by popularity, voting a comment up results in more visibility and thus a higher chance of being voted up further. If users vote a comment down quickly most people will never see it. Despite “reddiquette” encouraging users not to downvote for disagreement, users’ inherent confirmation bias means the most visible content appeals to reddit’s overall demographic and the demographics in its sub-sections. Downvotes push unpopular arguments so far down the page that casual readers rarely ever see opposing viewpoints. Full story...
Related posts:
No comments:
Post a Comment