When the world wide web was created, its intentions, offered a limitless supply of information and left the user in control of what they chose to discover. Progressing through time, the internet is always adapting to the present and changes for the future. Well known companies, as mentioned in TED talks, such as google and Facebook, have already implemented advanced algorithmic programs. These programs cater to users by manipulating information that we are exposed to. It neglects to show us things that is assumed to have no relevance to us. This raises the question, who is to dictate what kind of information should be exposed to us? Eli Praiser, from TED, further discusses how users are being tailored to what they can and can't view, calling it the Filter Bubble. I completely agree with his ideas, in addition to all the points he makes in his lecture.
The internet is continuously being tailored to us, under the assumption of what it thinks we want to be exposed to. One might argue that this creates efficiency, and in this day and age time is money. My personal issue with this is that it completely decimates potential options. What I mean by this, is that the algorithmic programs installed on the web completely "filters" out things that might potentially interest and only reveals things that correlate to your browsing history.
Here is a perfect example. Lets say a young female who loves shopping for bags has a tendency of only buying Michael Kors bags, now her search will be modified exclusively to MK bags. This now makes her browsing more efficient. What could be wrong with that? It neglects to add variety, options, choices, you name it. This ruins creativity and demolishes the ability to learn about new things, regardless if one might find it interesting or not.
Clive Thomas mentions in his article, High-Bandwith Buddies, about "echo-chamber" effect. He elaborates on this notion that it creates a phenomenon called "homophily". It is briefly described as people who use the web and search for things that correlate to their views and opinion and reenforces their beliefs. This spawns a dilemma because if you are only given information on views that you already agree with it directly affects creativity. How might you ask? If you are not challenged with opposing views or a completely new ideas, how can we progress as productive members of society if you are solely fed regurgitated ideologies that you already agree with. How can one question it if not supplied with adverse ideas. Being provided with views and opinion that differ from your own creates an opportunity for critical thinking. One is now capable of strengthening their own opinions through discovering flaws from opposing views. On the flip side, one can also realize their own perspectives to be faulty provided various concepts.
When various ideas no longer become rationed, this gives an opportunity for ones personality to flourish. Providing users with limitless information, allows them to make their own speculations which enhances their beliefs. Furthermore, not only can you reenforce your own opinions but rather you can offer a completely new perspective. We need to advocate dismantling things like "filter-bubbles" because the only thing it seems to do is tailor people into not being able to analytically think for themselves.
TED - Filter Bubble
Clive Thomas- High-Bandwith buddies
The internet is continuously being tailored to us, under the assumption of what it thinks we want to be exposed to. One might argue that this creates efficiency, and in this day and age time is money. My personal issue with this is that it completely decimates potential options. What I mean by this, is that the algorithmic programs installed on the web completely "filters" out things that might potentially interest and only reveals things that correlate to your browsing history.
Here is a perfect example. Lets say a young female who loves shopping for bags has a tendency of only buying Michael Kors bags, now her search will be modified exclusively to MK bags. This now makes her browsing more efficient. What could be wrong with that? It neglects to add variety, options, choices, you name it. This ruins creativity and demolishes the ability to learn about new things, regardless if one might find it interesting or not.
Clive Thomas mentions in his article, High-Bandwith Buddies, about "echo-chamber" effect. He elaborates on this notion that it creates a phenomenon called "homophily". It is briefly described as people who use the web and search for things that correlate to their views and opinion and reenforces their beliefs. This spawns a dilemma because if you are only given information on views that you already agree with it directly affects creativity. How might you ask? If you are not challenged with opposing views or a completely new ideas, how can we progress as productive members of society if you are solely fed regurgitated ideologies that you already agree with. How can one question it if not supplied with adverse ideas. Being provided with views and opinion that differ from your own creates an opportunity for critical thinking. One is now capable of strengthening their own opinions through discovering flaws from opposing views. On the flip side, one can also realize their own perspectives to be faulty provided various concepts.
When various ideas no longer become rationed, this gives an opportunity for ones personality to flourish. Providing users with limitless information, allows them to make their own speculations which enhances their beliefs. Furthermore, not only can you reenforce your own opinions but rather you can offer a completely new perspective. We need to advocate dismantling things like "filter-bubbles" because the only thing it seems to do is tailor people into not being able to analytically think for themselves.
TED - Filter Bubble
Clive Thomas- High-Bandwith buddies
