With the flick of a switch, a handful of tech giants can change the nature and extent of mankind’s ingestion of information. In 2013, Google took a step towards understanding the intent of their users with the Hummingbird algorithm. Twitter replaced most-recent with most-important tweets when they introduced their algorithmic timeline in 2016. Facebook claimed they’ll be replacing clickbait with more meaningful interactions on their feeds earlier this year. These changes are almost always met with public uproar for a few weeks, soon after which humanity acquiesces. The ability for an elite to instantly alter the thoughts and behavior of billions of people is unprecedented.
How to Think for Yourself When Algorithms Control What You Read
Become a smarter consumer.
March 08, 2018
Summary.
As more and more of our news is carefully curated by algorithms, what can we do to see past these narrow filters? In this piece, the author suggests that becoming a smarter consumer of algorithm-driven content starts with learning how these algorithms work — and how you can work around them. Specifically, try browsing the internet in incognito mode to see what an unfiltered web looks like. And break out of the digital echo chamber by taking breaks from the digital world entirely. Ultimately, the author argues that the real world is still a delightfully random place — you just have to open your eyes to see it.
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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Digital Intelligence . Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Excel in a world that's being continually transformed by technology.