On Algorithms, Groupthink and Media
A reflection on what controls and manufactures our thoughts
For the past year, I've been cooped up in the comfort (and privilege) of my home as I watched what seems like, at times, a dystopian world unfold through the screens of my monitors. It has felt as though the world outside of my window was unravelling at warp speed while I was at a standstill, watching the replays fed to me.
While confined within the four walls of my room, I've also had the time to reflect within the walls of my mind, only to find that it was filled with manufactured thoughts and lacklustre opinions. I hope we all take the time to digest the impact of not only the content we consume but the danger of who and what controls it. While there are mounting issues plastered on headlines of all the biggest news outlets, the threat of algorithms and large-scale groupthink has been one that seems to remain as the elephant in the room.
We talk about it, sometimes even go as far as acknowledge it, but end up being the perpetrators that continue to consent to the consumption. Click one article or like one post, and suddenly your entire feed is subtly infiltrated with an endless scroll of similar content. The division is clear. Check your friend or partner's feed and see just how different it is from your own. The programmed expectations of digital platforms have led us to self-sort and lock ourselves in rooms that resound our own thoughts and beliefs. Particularly in an era where news is now largely consumed on these algorithm-run platforms, our narratives are only magnified and further validated by strangers online.
This has led to a division - a fight between groups on what the "truth" is. We protest, get into heated debates and use smear tactics to discredit those who don't have the same beliefs or opinions as us by labelling them as "misinformed", or "conspiracists". Not to go down a philosophical rabbit hole, but what is "true" simply seems like what you, as an individual, believe is true.
The internet was supposed to expand our access to knowledge and information, which it has. But the sheer volume and spread of it has also been the enemy that has weaponized us against one another. A clipped 10-second video can easily spread like wildfire within hours - misconstrued and taken out of context. It seems as though we are stuck in this endless game of broken telephone, except all those on the same line are likely people who hold the same beliefs as us. We must consider opening up our communication lines and dismantle the idea of one truth for all by actively seeking to challenge what appears on your algorithm than to accept it so easily.
But how did we even get here in the first place? Well, who creates these content? The media. Who crafts the narrative we've adopted? The media. Who circulates the content? The media. We have been at the mercy of this monster that tells us what they want us to know. The internet has simply amplified their voice. And though there are many independent voices and journalists that have spurred out of the internet era, it is likely that many will remain unheard because the algorithm will not be in their favour.
However this may have landed on your feed, I am thankful that the algorithm has brought you here. Maybe we have similar interests or similar networks. I end off on this note: though we are confined in the walls of our homes, I hope we take this time to not allow our minds and devices to be as well.
Hi, I’m Oleena and welcome to Cryptocurious Creator, a space for courageous and contrarian minded people. If you enjoy going down rabbit holes and exploring different topics, including the future of work and society, the state of media and technology, Web3 and current world issues, let’s go down these holes together 🐰🕳️.