Is the internet expanding or narrowing our minds?

[@beamteammom5431]

The algorithm led me to your channel because it knows I like learning about how the world and my own mind works. Keep up the good work!

[@AboveTheNoise]

In this case, we approve of the algorithm’s wisdom! Lol

[@theysisossenthime]

I seem to confuse the algorithms. They usually give me ads in languages I do not speak (maybe because I consume a lot of content that I run though translators), keep changing what gender they think I am (probably because I'm non-binary), and other odd behaviors. I love it though because it keeps giving me fresh content perspectives. If I got stuck in an echo chamber of content, I would abandon a platform.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Sounds like you are in a good place to defy categorization and learn more about the world! Congratulations.

[@theysisossenthime]

​@@AboveTheNoise I knew the algorithms existed before your video, but I didn't realize how lucky I have been. I choose to stop using Google's search engine because it constrained results too much, but so far I've seemed to have avoided negative repercussions of many of the other algorithms. I wonder if there is something we can learn from pooling the experiences people have to figure out how to break out of these algorithms. I doubt my behaviors are optimal, and I bet that there are many tricks out there -- like the example shared in the video on having a second account to consume content from a different (sub) culture. I would love to learn more on that.

[@GameTesterBootCamp]

Interests getting more and more niche is a good thing in my book. It means that advertisers and content creators will have to actually think of their specific AUDIENCE rather than trying to make "The most broadly liked content possible." As far as the "Echo Chamber" issue; the ownness is on the VIEWER to seek out conflicting opinions and viewpoints. To leave that up to anyone else, especially an AI, is foolish and just BEGGING to be manipulated. Seek out conflicting sources, do your homework, expand your mind

[@thomasr.jackson2940]

More good stuff. We need to be proactive in what we consume, not just take what comes. This has _always_ been hard. It is _so_ much easier now to find diverse views. But you still have to actively try!

[@AboveTheNoise]

How do you feel about the content that dominates your social media feeds? Do you feel it represents you and what you care about? Ever try to game the algorithm to have more control over what you see?

[@ArtArtisian]

An odd thing: I've had a harder time gaming the youtube algorithm since getting a membership. They re-introduce adds if you attempt to browse 'incognito' or the like, which is just a worse experience overall. The silent changes to how subscription works hasn't helped over the years...

[@AboveTheNoise]

@@ArtArtisian interesting. It's all so mysterious.

[@Stewmanship]

No I feel like it’s feeding off me actually blessedest meeky by the wayy..

[@Stewmanship]

Blood suckers

[@Leahmh80]

I think I might try setting up the duplicate account and playing with the algorithm. See what happens 🤷‍♀️. One thing I will say, the ads that I’m targeted with are of ZERO interest to me though. I get targeted with high end clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics as one example. I couldn’t care less about a Tiffany necklace or some Gucci shoes. How much do you want to bet, as soon as I resume scrolling, I’m going to get hit with both JUST because I typed it in a comment. I’ve texted people about something and then get ads for it. Future-thinking me wonders how far they plan on taking this.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Good to keep asking that question. There’s a lot companies will never reveal about how the collect data.

[@AngieKitchens]

@alexandriaodell Gosh I love this question! And I appreciate you including this information and data in your citizenship folder. I think that more young people need to hear this and understand more about what they are watching and engaging in. I think there is so much more to offer people but the algorithms keep those videos from being shown or take a different path than what was originally intended.

[@jim4859]

This is well worth thinking about to find some way to keep in control of your life and even your money. My way is to pretty narrowly limit my time on "social media". Another thought provoking video.

[@palestrinha179]

I have plenty of accounts and this video was suggested in my "doesn't care about anything" profile.

[@AboveTheNoise]

😆

[@abeidiot]

I simply do not think of these recommendation algorithms as 'internet'. The internet is much broader than that

[@Stewmanship]

The internets for people that have no life

[@robr9411]

How interesting that your video on AI algorithms targets one side of the political spectrum (twice). Good news! You can use this video to teach about bias!

[@korvatusklok4059]

Very rarely does the KZbin algorithm actually suggest something I like. My interests are so all over the place that most algorithms struggle. Netflix never suggested anything I wanted to watch and even Google struggles. Lol. I guess I'm "special" in all the wrong ways.

[@pupuii7974]

IDK if you've ever tried Tik Tok but the algorithm they have on there is another level, it can get you hooked if you aren't ready for it. KZbin and Netflix seem to struggle from different places but employ similar solutions. KZbin has too much content and tries to recommend videos with mass appeal, while Netflix is constantly running out of things to show you while still pushing the mass appeal movies they produce.

[@iitarai]

We're have already zombies out of humans...

[@Stewmanship]

I wished I was one but I can never be

[@LemonDove]

I mainly get stuff about Blorbo from my shows, but maybe I’m not hearing enough from Florfo stans

[@jacobv3396]

I have some conservative people on my Facebook and they frequently post conspiracy theories and the like. Once in a while I'll get conservative ads on here (more than liberal) and I have no idea why. Also, I keep getting inundated with Mud Water ads on here even though I keep hitting "don't show this ad again". The algorithm is strange. 😆

[@AboveTheNoise]

Mud Water has some serious algorithm busting mojo. I get those ads all the time and I can’t imagine drinking that stuff.

[@Duraputer]

Social media algorithms made me steal my brother's minecraft account.

[@likebot.]

Huehuehue... This is the only social medium I've ever used (unless you count olde tyme off-line BBSs) and I only watch things from my subscriptions bucket. My 300+ channels are pretty much not getting an algorithm penalty or bump from me. For example: Primitive Technologies hasn't uploaded for yonks until last week and I still watched, QI uploads almost daily and I only watch the ones without Clive Anderson in them.

[@cestlavegan5793]

Wow a topic that isn’t politicized… Yet! Although the bit about conservative TikTok users as an example of echo chambers did reveal this channel’s liberal bias hehe. To answer the video’s main question: I think the internet can both expand and narrow your mind. It’s just another tool. Tools can help or harm, depending on how they’re used.

[@wmsjohnsonr]

yes that comment about rightwing content leading to radical white supremacist is a telling example. otherwise the video is very good. The more conservative example would be how looking up gender bias lead to content about how to you determine if you are really a girl and how to transition to being a boy.

[@ohtheresheis8542]

would love to know more about how to get exposed to different content and sources

[@AboveTheNoise]

Did you watch the whole video? There are some good tips at the end.

[@ohtheresheis8542]

@@AboveTheNoise yes, of course I did. But having another account is a bit impractical and I found that to be the most actionable advice in the video

[@AboveTheNoise]

Good point, and thanks for sharing that feedback. There’s also the advice of making it a point of talking to people in your life who think differently to you. But we hope it’s clear, too, that actively searching for and watching content that challenged your POV will eventually serve you more contrasting content from different sources. You might not agree with what you see, but at least you’ll have that exposure.

[@Stewmanship]

Content why don’t you just get undressed and show god somuch how unfaithful you are to him

[@Stewmanship]

@@AboveTheNoisewhy would I bother talking to anybody in my life when it only creates more animosity between me and god Q

[@Stewmanship]

Narrowing the minds of the soo called chosen and expanding the minds of the soo called unrightousers

[@pylytycona]

Like,verte interest

[@florentbarale6233]

Sorry, can’t like or subscribe to your content. Otherwise I would be feeding the monster algorithm

[@AboveTheNoise]

Oh, we're just commenting on how it all works and how you can have more agency over what you see. So, by all means, like and subscribe so that our fine content is in there for nutritional value. Lol.

[@adamjeremy7923]

I suppose that isn't wrong in the slightest, but at this rate are we all not already surveyed to the point that we are all just a mean ticket? Might as well subscribe and leave a like. :)

[@michelleziter7484]

Well..... you made a couple of clearly biased negative comments toward conservative views. Why not equally comment negatively on liberal views? Hmmm??? Frustrating.

[@alberttran9111]

In Instagram, I went to Search section and got too many otter and hedgehog posts because I enjoyed searching up for otter and hedgehog contents. Thanks to the so-called “algorithm”.

[@AboveTheNoise]

In that case, maybe branch out into some other species? Trying searching for “axolotl” and see what you think of the results!

[@alberttran9111]

@@AboveTheNoise I checked it out. Wow cool, I never seen an axoloti before. It is a aquatic creature.