Kill your Feeds - Stop letting algorithms dictate how you think - usher.dev

As I've shared before it is not possible to write an algorithm to filter, sort, and show you information without the algorithm having a goal. There are only two truly neutral ways to do that—sorting by date and time or randomizing. This post highlights the greater concern I have over us giving an algorithm control over what we read.

With the power to shape what we see comes the power to shape what we believe. Whether through deliberate manipulation or the slow creep of algorithmic recommendations, engagement is fueled by outrage, and outrage breeds extremism. The result is a feedback loop that isolates users, reinforces beliefs, and deprioritises opposing viewpoints.

I wish I had a simple way to convince people to step out of these algorithms. The challenge is that the mental rewards circuits work so very well. Something I've been noodling on recently is assessing the value of our attention. It is interesting to me that when we exchange money for a product we tend to be at least a bit considerate of the trade-off. Sure marketing can sway us, but we are at least aware that we are giving $10 in return for a thing.

We need to do the same thing with our attention. You are giving this finite resource away, and what are you getting back? And do you want that?

In effect this is happening today and we know the tradeoff. Many are giving their attention to the algorithm at Instagram and they are getting back a vibe that they like. And that is probably fine for a little bit of your attention. But there should be a budget right? And the attention that you are giving to X, is that the vibe you like? Or is it something else?

What is the return you are getting on the attention you give algorithms? Do you have a budget?