'Fiction is outperforming reality': how YouTube's algorithm distorts truth • Hacker News Board

Re: 'Fiction is outperforming reality': how YouTube's algorithm distorts truth

#41

Post by w_t_payne » Mon, Feb 05, 2018, 4:04 PM UTC

ghostcluster wrote: post #10

w_t_payne wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The guardian certainly has a strong editorial position, but I've never found its' reporting to be anything other than honest, well researched, and written with integrity. I think that they believe what they write with a high level of conviction, which is more than you can say for some of the more egregious videos floating around on YouTube.

The Guardian plays with heavy distortions, biased selective reporting, and dishonest ideological clickbait tactics all the time.

I respectfully disagree...

Re: 'Fiction is outperforming reality': how YouTube's algorithm distorts truth

#42

Post by 0xBA5ED » Tue, Feb 06, 2018, 2:19 PM UTC

bornonline1 wrote: post #39

0xBA5ED wrote: post #31

If the algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, then the opposite is true from a certain point of view. The result is an _undistorted_ reflection of our nature.

Can't follow you

I'm saying it reveals truth about ourselves because it gives us more of what we want. The growth of certain communities is an exposure of something that was already there.

Re: 'Fiction is outperforming reality': how YouTube's algorithm distorts truth

#43

Post by thirdsun » Wed, Feb 07, 2018, 2:10 PM UTC

graeme wrote: post #2

Interesting results. Though I wonder to what extent some of them reflect the outside world. (Not reality. Just what people outside youtube focus on.) The Clintons have been the subject of conspiracy theories since the 90s at least. So, it's not surprising that this would extend on to Youtube. (I haven't made an extensive study of this, but my impression is that the American right wing is prone to conspiracies about p…

That was my first thought as well.

The algorithm likely shows controversial content for the same reason we rarely see good news on TV: Dramatic, sensational and outrageous content is simply much more appealing and entertaining to a large audience (which doesn't necessarily mean that they agree with it).