Thread

1. Buttons840 · 1790132383 · focus · HN ↗

   What is an "algorithm"? Showing the 20 most recent posts is an algorithm, but I doubt that's what they're targeting with the law.

   I'm not just trying to find a technical gotcha here. I think it's worth identifying what exactly about an "algorithm" causes it to cross the line and become harmful.

   When does an algorithm become harmful?

   When it is designed and optimized to maximize the amount of time it engages the user?

   What about an algorithm that was optimized the present the user with content they would find interesting? That doesn't sound so bad on the surface.

   What about an algorithm that maximizes the amount of ads people see? Or the amount of money that the company makes?

   1. Arainach · 1790134272 · focus · HN ↗

      > What about an algorithm that was optimized the present the user with content they would find interesting? That doesn't sound so bad on the surface.

      If only we had 20+ years of scientific and societal evidence to show that regardless of what you think is "on the surface", the effects are catastrophic to mental health, democracy, the concept of truth, and everything else.

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