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yannyu 4 days ago

It's one thing to have a community that has tendencies towards cynicism, skepticism, and assuming the worst. It's another thing to build an algorithm optimized for "engagement" which prioritizes polarizing content above all others because it keeps people addicted to the platform.

Maybe the problem is the websites that amplify the most controversial and problematic content because they get the most clicks, so these companies can report better DAUs and MAUs.

realz 4 days ago | parent | next [-]

Might I add that Facebook has also proven time and time again that they believe in zero ethics. They will happily boost a dictator’s post. They’ll happily assist a rapist win elections. They’ll happily let you sell addictive content to kids. Heck they’ll even give you easy ways to target ads to “depressed 14 year old girls” specifically.

int_19h 4 days ago | parent | prev [-]

The problem is that humans themselves will amplify the most controversial and problematic content because anger is one of the strongest emotions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE3j_RHkqJc