Mathematicians of the Datalounge... can you explain algorythms to me?

Apps study your online behavior so keep pushing the things you seem to like.

TikTok apparently has perfected its use so you scroll forever

[quote]algorythms

Oh, dear!

No. Math was never my thing. That certain side of the brain thing. Ask me about history or literature though, I will blow you away.

I'm like r3, completely hopeless at math. I learn languages like a parrot, though.

I've seen various explanations of algorithms over the years and I still don't get it. Much like trigonometry, they remain a mystery to me.

I would say that in terms of the use of algorithms on the internet, clips are broken down into features. (eg conservative-leaning, focus on bad behavior by minorities, views skew male), and the app will shove many more videos with those features your way, because the computers that make these decisions are programmed to do exactly that. Someone posted a clip here these evening showing a black couple trying to kill each other with broom handles on the streets of LA. If I had chosen that clip, and then went to look at other clips on youtube, I'd be offered dozens of the same type.

Likewise, you might look at a clip with cute puppies, Features would be cute animals, wagging tails, human-animal affectionate interactions. The apps will then shove many many animal videos in your direction.

In the nicest possible interpretation, it could be said that the apps are trying to preselect videos that are to your taste. However, the algorithms can cause a spiral. In the case of the first example, instead of street fighting clips only, the algorithm might steer the viewer towards clips that emphasize interviews with racist speakers, or interviews with people who try to differentiate crimes in some cities by political leanings, etc. Pretty soon, the viewer is in a maelstrom of super-right-wing clips that will reinforce a particular point of view. Except in neutral topics, such as gardening, or classical music performances, pretty soon almost any kind of viewing can lead ultimately to clips that don't show any sort of divergence of opinion, but keep circling around the same political themes. This is because the computer instructions say, "Show viewer clips with these sets of features".

Al don't got no rhythm!