Feeding the Beast.

In the book "Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture" by Kyle Chayka, the author explores the impact of algorithmic feeds on our culture and personal choices. Chayka questions how we can reintroduce deliberate choice and friction in a culture dominated by autoplay and absence. Algorithmic feeds, used by platforms like Facebook and Instagram, rely on previous user actions to determine what content to show next, creating an endless buffet without the responsibility of actively choosing. Chayka argues that this flattening of culture leads to a yearning for oblivion and a tendency to prioritize lower-quality content over higher-quality material. He also examines how algorithmic feeds affect artists and businesses, limiting their ability to present their work as intended. Chayka proposes solutions such as removing Section 230 speech protections from algorithmic feeds and extending the logic of the Children's Television Act to the internet. However, he acknowledges that cultural shifts and personal choices are also necessary to counteract the negative effects of algorithmic feeds. [Extracted from the article]

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