I used to be much more optimistic about the promise of social networks than I am now (those who knew me in my PhD days would say as much). There isn’t a single reason why it’s changed, but if I had to name a major reason for my shift ...

... it was when the platforms started moving away from the raw feed built from the people a user followed, and toward ones built on algorithms.

Yes because of the echo chambers built on only seeing stuff that made us feel good, but there’s a bigger problem ...

Turns out a lot of people built really shitty networks that reflected a tendency to escape from ideas that challenge us. So how can platforms algorithmically juice a balanced worldview when the building materials are flawed?

At least with a raw feed it’s possible I can encounter something new. Algorithms that prioritize engagement over information that helps us learn and grow compound the effect of a badly built network.

About three years ago while on a project with Lehigh students (hi @jazberry) and @SStanlick we tried to envision a tool to help diagnose your echo chamber. It led to me completely remaking my feed, intentionally and purposefully. I run into a lot of voices not like mine now.

I’m largely happy with the result and my social networks challenge me and give me a broad read on the news. But I can’t stress enough that this happened because I was aware of the algorithm and turned it to my advantage. How many average users can say this?

Facebook’s algorithm is cynical and feels gross because it’s not transparent. It’s built on all your web behavior but works in the background. People are locked in prisons designed to augment their confirmation bias, and they largely don’t know this.

Even now, watching FB work is painful. I am watching some white friends long aloof to #BlackLivesMatter finally waking up a bit, but it’s still framed by the echo chamber. It devolves so quickly into assertions Soros is behind the violence. There is no reasoning with them.

There is a moment of possibility to change minds with the protests right now, but the echo chamber walls are there keeping just enough useful information out to not disrupt the dopamine hits.

I’ll state the obvious: the algorithms are propping up systemic racism by definition.

That is, they are about the status quo; their business model is to preserve it. If we win this moment, it’ll be in spite of platforms.

To my white friends, I can’t stress enough: diversify your feeds with Black voices, not white voices of allyship. It will make you better.