For the September monthly blog assignment, I chose to listen to Ezra Klein's podcast, "Why online politics gets so extreme so fast," featuring Zeynep Tufekci, who is a writer and sociologist who primarily focuses on the impact of technology on our society. Throughout the podcast, Klein and Tufekci discuss various topics about technology and social media ranging from YouTube's recommendation algorithm to controversial social media posts that attract attention. A reoccurring idea throughout the discussion of online politics was the vulnerability of the human mind. One of the first points of discussion that Tufekci brought up was YouTube's algorithm, and how it recommends edgier content than what you normally watch. An example that she provided was how she was watching videos about Trump during the time of the 2016 election, and YouTube began recommending her videos about Holocaust denial and Nazi stuff. Tufekci explained how the younger generation's key conduit of information is through videos, and they key conduit of videos is YouTube. This can be problematic to people, younger audiences especially, because more and more extreme views and ideas are being pushed onto people. Another point that was brought up during the podcast was how different forms of social media are constantly competing for our attention. Klein pointed out that it seems like the things that are very funny, very mean, and the things that cause the most outrage typically are the things that bring in the most attention to social media. Klein gave the example of the way that Donald Trump talks and tweets about things, and how it brings in more coverage than any other politicians. With millions screaming their ideas at the same time for attention, it only makes sense that the ones that do get the most attention are the ones that stand out the most, like Klein pointed out: the most funny, mean, and outrageous things.
While listening to this podcast, I was just folding a bunch of clothes and listening to the things that Klein and Tufekci were discussing, and I found myself completely agreeing with many of the points that they made. One thing that Tufekci stated that got to me the most was something along the lines of "I do not like this world," which I completely agree with. This world that we all live in has evolved extremely quickly due to new discoveries and improvements in newer technology, that many of the life values of the past have been almost completely erased. We have all found ourselves completely engulfed in technology and social media that our world is not the same place it used to be. Back then, pretty much the only thing for children to do to have fun was go outside and play with friends. Back then, it was more difficult for people to get in touch from long distances, making seeing them in person even more special than it is today, where you can text/call/face time somebody for hours on end. All of this has changed so much, and children now spend most of their time playing video games and watching YouTube, and you are now expected to be able to respond to somebody's text or call no matter where you are now that you have a smart phone. With the internet, there a hundreds, maybe even thousands, of companies and networks constantly trying to reach out to you for your attention, and to advertise products. There is just so much going on in the world that gets a ton of coverage from news networks and social media that it seems like this world is a much worse place than it really is. You would mainly see news reports and articles about the terrible things going on, but way less of the more positive things going on in the world. This is mainly because the more shocking and controversial subjects are what bring in more views. All of this has lead me to stop caring about the news. I don't want to be hearing about all of these things like riots and war threats. I just want things to be more simple.
With all of these things mentioned, I am curious as to what others think of this subject. Do you agree or disagree with any of the points that Klein and Tufekci mentioned in the podcast? If so, what points do you agree/disagree with and why?
-Ian Iraheta
Throughout the entirety of the podcast there are many valid points being made as I believe there has been a lost of many basic human values due to the obsession we are beginning to have with technology. This is being shown through many humans now struggling to have basic conversation as most are absorbed in their phones or computers so they don't even give the other individual the light of day. With the introduction of all this new technology I don't see it getting much better because we are now allowing our devices to take over our lives. If the mentality of society doesn't change and we keep to deny this problem then there is no room for progression. Most people act as if being on their devices all day isn't a problem but in all actuality it is deteriorating their social skills because their only interaction is now with a computer screen.
ReplyDeleteAlso the platforms trying to obtain our attention always use the most outrageous topics, this happens because they know we are going to click on it as it will more than likely catch our eye. When individuals want to be noticed for better or for worse they do outlandish things such as Donald Trump making all of these unnecessary tweets. We know why he's doing it but on a daily basis we tune back in to see what he said this time and it is now even covered by many of the major news companies. When something good is done though we tend not to focus on it as no one cares if someone gives back to charity or the homeless but if something bad happens we want to be the first ones to know. The problem with today's society is we buy into the drama too much and instead of focusing on the good in the world we magnify the bad and ignore the good as if it never existed. People who try to move this society ahead for the better deserve much more credit but it doesn't seem like that'll happen anytime soon because we are not showing any signs of interest in this.- Ahgean Davis
I agreed with many of Klein and Tufekci's statements, especially when they discussed the way YouTube chooses what videos to recommend to their viewers. Tufekci observed that YouTube follows the content the viewer is voluntarily choosing, and then offers more of it, but gradually deeper and darker. This was so interesting to me because it's just so clever that they realize ways to grab consumer's attention in extreme, yet subtle to those affected, ways. I also agree with your statement of feeling something wrong with our technological world. Listening to this podcast and reading the summer books made me feel guilty for allowing technology to take over so many aspects of my life. The world of advertisement and consumption that we live in is terrifying, especially because most our age have barely experienced life without it.
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