Carl T. BergstromJan 17, 2023

I've been speaking and writing lately about how tech companies try to shift the discussion on misinformation, polarization, harassment, etc., away from the systems and structures that are inherently toxic and toward questions of individual behavior.

This way they can blame their own users for any pathology and steer clear of calls for systemic change.

Today Elon Musk has come through with a perfect illustration for my future talks.

#socialmedia #twitter #ElonMusk

Show threadCarl T. BergstromJan 17, 2023

This should be obvious, but having an algorithm that behaves that way is a DELIBERATE CHOICE.

It would be easy enough, for example, to implement basic sentiment analysis so that the algorithm doesn't boost content that you have reacted negatively to in the future.

Musk is playing it both ways. He keeps the algorithm that boosts inflammatory content and drives the online conflicts that draw views and clicks, while pushing the blame for this off onto the individuals involved.

That sucks.

Show threadAbandoned AmericaJan 18, 2023
@ct_bergstrom in this case, rage is the machine 😕
Show threadCarl T. BergstromJan 18, 2023

@AbandonedAmerica

Yes! I'm stealing that line for an upcoming talk, if I may.

Show threadmyownpetard blue checkmarkJan 18, 2023
@ct_bergstrom @AbandonedAmerica v droll abandoned america. 300 points to you. 😂
Show threadAbandoned AmericaJan 18, 2023
@myownpetard @ct_bergstrom can I like... cash in the points for anything? An ipad or whatever?
Show threadmyownpetard blue checkmarkJan 18, 2023
@AbandonedAmerica @ct_bergstrom um... well... i forgot to arrange for that. i'm new at being a nonexistent
small business!
Show threadAbandoned AmericaJan 18, 2023
@myownpetard @ct_bergstrom no worries, just watched Glass Onion and got carried away
Show threadmyownpetard blue checkmarkJan 18, 2023
@AbandonedAmerica @ct_bergstrom ah we need to do that
Show threadAbandoned AmericaJan 18, 2023
@myownpetard it's fun! And I guarantee when you do the ipad comment will seem at least 30% less weird
Show threadmyownpetard blue checkmarkJan 18, 2023
@AbandonedAmerica it actually didn't seem weird at all 😂
Show threadAbandoned AmericaJan 18, 2023
@myownpetard oh okay good, after a full day of audio editing myself I have that "everything I say sounds nonsensical and awful" phobia stuck in my head
Show threadmyownpetard blue checkmarkJan 18, 2023
@AbandonedAmerica lol that sounds annoying! self doubt is the BEST.
Show threadAbandoned AmericaJan 18, 2023
@myownpetard oh it's awful and yes, it really cranks that self doubt up to the point where I think a life of solitude at the bottom of a pit is probably the best option for me
Show threadmyownpetard blue checkmark
@AbandonedAmerica yeah... been there. i recommend you bring snacks. and a ladder.
Jan 18, 2023 at 5:26amWeb
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Jan 18, 2023
@myownpetard @AbandonedAmerica Except there are many, many other insecure people at the bottom of the same pit. It's sort of like when everyone in high school decided to just ignore the cool kids who rejected them, and suddenly 98% of us had a community and the cool kids were all by themselves wondering what happened.