Social media algorithms warp how people learn from each other, research shows

As far as I can tell I suffer from no Functional misalignment, but then, I do not belong to any social or media groups, and i would never join any. I value my sanity too much!

quote: make algorithms foster accurate human social learning.

Ask China. They are good at manipulating citizens in this way.

The amount of moral panic being spread about social media courtesy of nudge units and state media at the moment is fearsome. The BBC are running multiple scare stories every day. All to back up state censorship and internet control legislation. It's like we all moved to China.

Offline is little different to online. We have always had gossip and liars. We have always had malicious people stirring up trouble. It was no reason to blame or ban books or telephones and is no reason to blame or ban internet technologies.

GBR48Today 02:29 am JST

Offline is little different to online. We have always had gossip and liars. We have always had malicious people stirring up trouble. It was no reason to blame or ban books or telephones and is no reason to blame or ban internet technologies.

In the old days, a liar could maybe effect a dozen people or so. With social media they can effect millions. Not saying it is the technology's fault, but it needs a heavy hand from the companies that run them.

On social media platforms, algorithms are mainly designed to amplify information that sustains engagement, meaning they keep people clicking on content and coming back to the platforms. 

So, like here then, where users are free to make outrageous claims, hate speech, attack, harass and dox others without consequence in the comment section since this brings traffic to the site. A few years back breaking the rules this way meant at least the accounts would be banned, after it was just a suspension, later the post just removed but the posters free to make them again a few minutes later, now they are left undisturbed. Slowly but surely collecting toxic users because this promotes engagement, even if it is the worst kind.