THE FILTER BUBBLE
What is it?
THE FILTER BUBBLE is a phenomenon in which websites use algorithms to selectively guess what information a user would like to see, based on information about the user - including location, past click behavior and search history. The result is websites, search results, and data that tends to show only information which agrees with the user's past viewpoint, effectively isolating the user in a bubble that tends to exclude contrary information.
"As web companies strive to tailor their services (including news and search results) to our personal tastes, there’s a dangerous unintended consequence: We get trapped in a “filter bubble” and don’t get exposed to information that could challenge or broaden our worldview. Eli Pariser argues powerfully that this will ultimately prove to be bad for us and bad for democracy."
Recorded at TED2011, March 2011 |
Watch video: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/lang/en//id/1091
Ted Talks: Filter Bubble - 7 things that Personalization Algorithms do Poorly
1. Corporate ownership of the media can - and does - shape editorial content.
2. Newspapers have to attract and maintain a high proportion of advertising in order to cover the costs of production
3. The mass media are drawn into a symbiotic relationship with powerful sources of information by economic necessity and reciprocity of interest
4. “Flak” – Negative responses to a media statement or [TV or radio] program
5. “Anti-communism” – The customary western identification of 'the enemy' or an 'evil dictator'
2. Newspapers have to attract and maintain a high proportion of advertising in order to cover the costs of production
3. The mass media are drawn into a symbiotic relationship with powerful sources of information by economic necessity and reciprocity of interest
4. “Flak” – Negative responses to a media statement or [TV or radio] program
5. “Anti-communism” – The customary western identification of 'the enemy' or an 'evil dictator'
What the Internet Is Hiding from You?
"Your filter bubble is your own personal, unique universe of information that you live in online. And what’s in your filter bubble depends on who you are, and it depends on what you do."
Eli Pariser's talk on TED |
"But the thing is that you don’t decide what gets in. And more importantly, you don’t actually see what gets edited out."
Eli Pariser's talk on TED |