| | |
|
GraceHopperFirstEssay 6 - 08 Oct 2023 - Main.GraceHopper
|
| |
| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstEssay" |
|---|
| | | “Topic clustering” reinforces the model. Topic clustering creates groups of users that behave a certain way (“cluster”), discovers other users that look like the “cluster,” and surfaces similar recommendations to these users as well. Clusters generally revolve around classifications of the content, so multiple clusters can encompass a single user, creating a unique identity and derivative clusters. Topic clustering industrializes the recommendation engine and crystalizes the silicon cage, mass producing recommendations to keep people clicking within their clusters.
The Threat | |
<
< | People say they have nothing to hide, that the parasite can have their data. People don’t understand that every piece of personal data fed to this engine chips away at their freedom of choice. The more information the model has, the better recommendations it produces and the narrower the results it gives. The recommendation engine transforms our online choices from a cornucopia of ideas to slightly different flavors of the same thing. It whittles the mind, reducing choice to a narrow band of prepackaged recommendations that the engine is statically sure we will click on and get addicted to. Advertisements sell products, these profits get pumped into data science teams, who to optimize recommendation engines, which recommends additional advertisements with products to sell. In this world, what does that mean for freedom of thought? | >
> | People say they have nothing to hide, that the parasite can have their data. People don’t understand that every piece of personal data fed to this engine chips away at their freedom of choice. The more information the model has, the better recommendations it produces and the narrower the results it gives. The recommendation engine transforms our online choices from a cornucopia of ideas to slightly different flavors of the same thing. It whittles the mind, reducing choice to a narrow band of prepackaged recommendations that the engine is statically sure we will click on and get addicted to. Advertisements sell products whose profits get pumped into data science teams that optimize recommendation engines which recommends improved advertisements with products to sell. In this world, what does that mean for freedom of thought? | | | | |
<
< | Even more nefarious is topic clustering. The more information the model has, more accurate the cluster it places users into. Attention stealing and addiction happen en masse as advertising campaigns target entire clusters. In practice, this bends minds to succumb to the the tyranny of the masses. It silences voices challenging the majority by placing them in clusters of similar voices. Topic clustering imprisons dissenting cries, locking them in echo chambers. Sentenced to choirs of similar voices, dissents become majorities and society becomes stupid. I do not have to ask what happens when bad actors utilize this power. Cambridge Analytica and the 2016 election already have. In this world, what does that mean for democracy? | >
> | Topic clustering brings this cycle large-scale. The more information the model has, more accurate the cluster it places users into. Attention stealing and addiction happen en masse as advertising campaigns target entire clusters. In practice, this bends minds to succumb to the the tyranny of the majority. It silences voices that challenge the status quo by placing them in clusters of similar voices. Topic clustering imprisons dissenting cries, locking them in echo chambers. Sentenced to choirs of similar voices, dissents become majorities and society becomes stupid. I do not have to ask what happens when bad actors utilize this power. Cambridge Analytica and the 2016 election already have. In this world, what does that mean for democracy? | | | Call to Action
For every byte of data given to the parasite, a crumb of freedom succumbs to its voracious appetite. We must cut ties with the parasite and reclaim our minds. Once we take that critical, revolutionary step, then we strategize. Can tort law hold companies responsible for the harms that they cause? Or can contract law protect as consideration the unbridled use of data? What role does antitrust law have? Or do we place a cratering charge in the heart of the parasite and build a new? I do not have answers, only an appetite for knowledge and a stomach to say “fuck you” to power. |
|
|
|
|
This site is powered by the TWiki collaboration platform.
All material on this collaboration platform is the property of the contributing authors.
All material marked as authored by Eben Moglen is available under the license terms CC-BY-SA version 4.
|
|
| | |