Social Media Algorithms: Threat to Democracy
When I built Watch-List.me, one of my main motivations was to create an environment where I could browse streaming platform content without algorithmic influence. I wanted the ability to discover movies and shows organically, without someone dictating what I should watch based on my previous behavior. This seemingly simple desire led me to contemplate a much more fundamental problem of our time.
Algorithms as the New Reality
People today spend several hours daily on social media platforms. For many, these have become practically a second reality, and for some, even the first. This isn't just a statistic – it's a fundamental shift in how we perceive the world around us. Instead of natural stimuli from all sides and angles, algorithms now curate our daily information intake.
Humans should naturally evolve through diverse stimuli, confrontation with different opinions, and gradual formation of their own worldview. But what happens when algorithms take over this process? They gain control over what we listen to, what we watch, and most importantly – how we think.
From Entertainment to Political Manipulation
You might think it's not that serious – an algorithm recommends movies or music based on my taste. The problem becomes visible when the same mechanism is applied to political and social opinions. Algorithms don't distinguish between recommending a TV series and recommending political content.
The worst-case scenario is when algorithms are used for targeted manipulation of voting behavior. When people with such algorithmically-shaped opinions go to vote, they can influence democratic processes in ways they never originally intended. Democracy relies on the assumption that voters have access to diverse information and can make free decisions.
Intent or Side Effect?
I'm not sure to what extent manipulation is the intent of every social media platform. Perhaps it's just a side effect of trying to attract users to content and profit from data and advertising. Or perhaps some authoritarian regimes deliberately manipulate the public in ways that suit their own political interests.
I don't know how it really works and probably never will. But I operate from a simple principle: if such a possibility exists and is technically feasible, someone will definitely use it. Human history teaches us that powerful tools are sooner or later abused.
Conspiracy Theories as the Gateway
An interesting phenomenon is the role of conspiracy theories in this system. I don't see anything inherently harmful when someone occasionally reads or watches a documentary about some mystery explained through fantastic, scientifically unfounded evidence. They can be fascinating and entertaining.
What's harmful is when people use such unverified theories and manipulations to form their overall opinion about society, their country, and politics. Algorithms tend to deepen radicalization – once you click on conspiratorial content, you'll likely be recommended similar content over and over again.
What Can We Do About It?
The first step is awareness of the problem. We must admit that algorithms influence us more than we think. The second step is active protection against manipulation:
- Disable personalization in social media account settings so algorithms have less data for content targeting
- Diversify information sources – read media with different political orientations
- Critically verify information from multiple independent sources
- Consciously seek opposing views to those we agree with
- Limit time on social media and spend more time in the real world
Conclusion: A Warning Against Digital Manipulation
I think we should be extremely careful about social media algorithms. It's not just about what movie we watch – it's about how we perceive the world, how we make decisions, and ultimately about what our democracy looks like.
The Watch-List.me project wasn't just about watching movies without algorithms. It was an experiment in what it would look like if we took back control over what we consume. And I believe we should approach our entire digital life in a similar way.
Algorithms are a powerful tool. It's up to us not to let them control us, but to learn to live with them in a way that protects our ability to think freely and make decisions.