• Yondoza@sh.itjust.works
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    13 days ago

    I really don’t think it’s “on purpose” trying to push a narrative. I think it’s “on purpose” the algorithm sees that displaying videos #9342 and #667 to new audiences tends to result in the new viewer watching more videos over time.

    It’s incidental that those videos are bad for society. If human behavior taught the algorithm high quality educational videos keeps audiences engaged longer this would be a non-issue.

    • greenbit@lemmy.zip
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      13 days ago

      Deciding to upkeep an algorithm knowing it does that is purposeful tho? The purpose of the system is what it does

      • Yondoza@sh.itjust.works
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        12 days ago

        The purpose of a system is the desired outcome. Other results are byproducts. The designed purpose is user engagement. The byproduct is the harm to society.

        The purpose of a sewer system is to remove waste water from homes. The byproduct can be the smell coming from storm drains. You wouldn’t say the purpose of a sewer system is to make storm drains smell.