No, you’re exactly right.
We’ve known for quite some time that engagement maximizing algorithms eventually learn that hatred, outrage and anger are the path to maximum engagement.
Unfortunately, the owners of the tech companies have made the decision that they would rather the entire world tear itself apart in a mass of anger and hatred than to earn 6% less next quarter.
baconmonsta@piefed.social 4 days ago
Glad to hear I'm not alone with these thoughts!
I propose, as a counter movement, automatic engagement; Instead of "liking" or "upvoting", leave a comment every time you see something you support. And try to abstain from commenting on ragebait or otherwise intentional attention seeking. If enough people start doing this, the algorithm should start adapting to prefering more substantial or positive material, right? I know it sounds naive, but worth a shot!
FauxLiving@lemmy.world 4 days ago
You’d be fighting against the combined ‘mass’ of everyone else. We’re hard wired to pay attention to things that scare us, so the algorithms just scare us and make us angry and disgusted (which are probably the 2nd and 3rd most primate things to pay attention to).
Until Zuck decides he is tired of poisoning the discourse of the entire planet for ad revenue, we’re stuck with it.