36 Matching Annotations
  1. Feb 2024
    1. As a member of society, we hope you are informed about the role social media plays in shaping society, such as how design decisions and bots can influence social movements (polarizing, spreading, or stifling different them), and the different economic, social, and governmental pressures that social media platforms operate under.

      Certainly, understanding the role of social media in shaping society is crucial. Social media platforms have a significant impact on various aspects of our lives, including communication, information dissemination, and the formation of public opinion. Social media platforms often employ algorithms that prioritize content based on user engagement. This can create echo chambers where users are exposed to information that aligns with their existing beliefs, reinforcing pre-existing opinions. Features like likes, shares, and comments influence the visibility of content. This design can contribute to the viral spread of certain ideas or narratives.

    1. As a social media user, we hope you are informed about things like: how social media works, how they influence your emotions and mental state, how your data gets used or abused, strategies in how people use social media, and how harassment and spam bots operate.

      It's crucial for social media users to be well-informed about various aspects of these platforms. Understanding how social media works, its impact on emotions and mental well-being, data usage policies, and strategies employed by individuals and entities on these platforms can empower users to navigate the online space more responsibly. Awareness of issues like harassment and spam bots is also essential for maintaining a safe and positive online experience.

    1. I used to think that if we just gave people a voice and helped them connect, that would make the world better by itself. In many ways it has. But our society is still divided. Now I believe we have a responsibility to do even more. It’s not enough to simply connect the world, we must also work to bring the world closer together.

      It reflects a shift in perspective and a recognition of the complexities involved in fostering a connected world. While the initial belief in providing people a voice and connection has had positive impacts, acknowledging the existing divisions emphasizes a deeper responsibility. The commitment to not only connect but actively work towards bringing people closer together underscores the evolving role and societal impact that platforms like ours can strive for. It speaks to a more comprehensive vision of social responsibility and collective progress.

    1. For example, when Facebook would make interface changes, users would all complain together, and Facebook worried people would all leave together. In order to prevent this, they began slowly rolling out changes, only giving it to some users at a time, making it harder for users to coordinate leaving together.

      The strategy of gradually rolling out interface changes by Facebook is a clever approach to handling user complaints and potential mass exodus. By releasing updates selectively, Facebook disrupts the collective nature of user discontent, making it more challenging for a large group to coordinate leaving the platform simultaneously. This method not only helps in minimizing the impact of negative feedback but also ensures a smoother transition for users, as they can adapt to changes at their own pace. It's a proactive measure to maintain user retention and prevent a significant drop in engagement during times of interface modifications.

    1. A good rule of thumb is to go after groups, but I don’t exempt individuals, especially not if they are politically powerful or sizeably impact society. But we must ask ourselves about the way those individuals are shamed and whether the punishment is proportional.

      A good rule of thumb is to go after groups, but I don’t exempt individuals, especially not if they are politically powerful or sizeably impact society. But we must ask ourselves about the way those individuals are shamed and whether the punishment is proportional. It's essential to critically evaluate the methods and consequences of shaming, ensuring that it aligns with principles of fairness and justice. Targeting groups might have broader societal implications, necessitating careful consideration of the potential collateral effects. Additionally, examining the power dynamics at play and whether the punishment corresponds reasonably to the actions committed by individuals is crucial for maintaining ethical and just practices in addressing societal issues.

    1. The term “cancel culture” can be used for public shaming and criticism, but is used in a variety of ways, and it doesn’t refer to just one thing.

      The term "cancel culture" is indeed multifaceted, encompassing a range of behaviors and consequences. While commonly associated with public shaming and criticism, its usage extends beyond a singular definition. The term has become a catch-all phrase for various forms of social consequences, from boycotting to calling out individuals for perceived wrongdoing. Its nuanced nature reflects the complexity of contemporary discourse and the diverse ways in which people engage with and interpret the concept of "cancel culture."

    1. Harassment is behavior which uses a pattern of actions which are permissible by law, but still hurtful.

      While the specific actions may not necessarily violate any legal statutes, they can still have a significant impact on the well-being and mental health of the targeted individual. Harassment can manifest in various forms, such as verbal, written, or online communication, and it is generally recognized as an undesirable and harmful social behavior. Organizations and communities often have policies in place to address and prevent harassment, aiming to promote respectful and inclusive environments.

    1. “The majority of the hate and misinformation about [Meghan Markle and Prince Henry] originated from a small group of accounts whose primary, if not sole, purpose appears to be to tweet negatively about them. […] 83 accounts are responsible for 70% of the negative hate content targeting the couple on Twitter.”

      The majority of the hate and misinformation about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry originated from a small group of accounts whose primary, if not sole, purpose appears to be to tweet negatively about them. It's noteworthy that 83 accounts are responsible for 70% of the negative hate content targeting the couple on Twitter. This underscores the concentrated and potentially orchestrated nature of the negative discourse surrounding Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on the platform.

    1. This small percentage of people doing most of the work in some areas is not a new phenomenon. In many aspects of our lives, some tasks have been done by a small group of people with specialization or resources. Their work is then shared with others. This goes back many thousands of years with activities such as collecting obsidian and making jewelry, to more modern activities like writing books, building cars, reporting on news, and making movies.

      Throughout history, from ancient activities like collecting obsidian and crafting jewelry to contemporary endeavors such as writing books, manufacturing cars, reporting news, and producing movies, the division of labor has been a fundamental aspect of societal organization. This division often stems from factors like expertise, access to resources, or specific skill sets that a limited number of individuals possess.

    1. When social media users work together, we can consider what problem they are solving. For example, for some of the Tiktok Duet videos from the virality chapter, the “problem” would be something like “how do we create music out of this source video” and the different musicians contribute their own piece to the solution.

      I think this collaborative problem-solving dynamic not only fosters a sense of community but also demonstrates the versatility of social media platforms as spaces for collective creativity. It goes beyond mere individual expression and taps into the collective intelligence of the user base. By identifying a problem or challenge, users can come together to contribute unique perspectives, skills, or talents, ultimately leading to the co-creation of content that may not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the community.

    1. If you are running your own site and suddenly realize you have a moderation problem you might have some of your current staff (possibly just yourself) start handling moderation. As moderation is a very complicated and tricky thing to do effectively, untrained moderators are likely to make decisions they (or other users) regret.

      Indeed, when faced with a sudden moderation problem on a self-run website, the initial response may involve having existing staff, potentially even oneself, take on moderation responsibilities. However, moderation is a complex and nuanced task, and untrained moderators may encounter challenges in making effective decisions.

    1. One thing these sites do ban though, is spam. While much of spam is certainly legal, and a form of speech, this speech is restricted on these sites. If the chat boards filled up with spam, the users would find it boring and leave, so for practical reasons, these sites still moderate for spam (though they may allow some uses of ironic spam, copypasta).

      The moderation of spam on online platforms is a practical necessity to maintain a positive user experience and prevent users from being overwhelmed by irrelevant or repetitive content. While spam itself may be a form of speech, its restriction is primarily driven by the need to ensure that users can engage with meaningful and diverse content.

    1. Larger efforts at trying to determine emotions or mental health through things like social media use, or iPhone or iWatch use, have had very questionable results, and any claims of being able to detect emotions reliably are probably false.

      While digital platforms generate vast amounts of data, the quality and relevance of this data for inferring emotions or mental health may be questionable. For example, social media posts may not always accurately reflect an individual's true emotions, as they may be influenced by various factors such as social desirability bias or the desire to portray a certain image online.

    1. “Tendency to continue to surf or scroll through bad news, even though that news is saddening, disheartening, or depressing. Many people are finding themselves reading continuously bad news about COVID-19 without the ability to stop or step back.”

      Humans tend to have a negativity bias, where negative information tends to have a more significant impact on our emotions and cognition than positive information. This bias can drive individuals to seek out and engage with negative news, even if it causes distress.

    1. Content is sometimes shared without modification fitting the original intention, but let’s look at ones where there is some sort of modification that aligns with the original intention.

      Cultural nuances play a significant role in content modification. Users may tailor shared content to align with specific cultural contexts, ensuring that the message remains relevant and relatable to diverse audiences. This cultural sensitivity enhances the inclusivity and accessibility of the shared content.

    1. The microorganisms in the starter will continue multiplying if you let them, and you can add flour and water to make it larger, then split it into multiple starters. You can repeat this process again and again, occasionally using some starters to bake bread, but you can share the starters with others.

      This text is likely a chain letter that relies on emotional appeal and superstition to influence recipients. While the stories mentioned may evoke emotions, it's important to approach such messages critically and recognize them as part of a chain letter phenomenon with no basis in reality. Sharing or forwarding the message is not a reliable or rational means of influencing luck or events.

    1. “Whereas Google gave higher rankings to more reliable sites, we found that Twitter boosted the least reliable sources, regardless of their politics.”

      This highlights a divergence in how different platforms handle the visibility and promotion of information. While Google seems to prioritize reliability, Twitter, according to the statement, may elevate less reliable sources. The mention of "regardless of their politics" suggests that the focus is on the reliability of the content rather than its alignment with a particular political ideology.

    1. Individual analysis focuses on the behavior, bias, and responsibility an individual has, while systemic analysis focuses on the how organizations and rules may have their own behaviors, biases, and responsibility that aren’t necessarily connected to what any individual inside intends.

      Both perspectives are valuable in understanding and addressing issues. While individual analysis looks at personal accountability, systemic analysis delves into the larger context that shapes behaviors and can perpetuate biases. An effective approach often involves a combination of both individual and systemic analyses to create comprehensive solutions.

  2. Jan 2024
    1. If you can’t see the video, it shows someone with light skin putting their hand under a soap dispenser, and soap comes out. Then a person with dark skin puts their hand under a soap dispenser, and nothing happens. The person with dark skin then puts a white paper towel on their hand and then when they put their hand under the soap dispenser, soap comes out. When the person with dark skin takes off the white paper towel, the soap dispenser won’t work for them anymore.

      Automatic soap dispensers often use infrared sensors to detect the presence of hands and dispense soap. If these sensors are primarily trained on lighter skin tones during their development, they may not perform as effectively for individuals with darker skin.

    1. There are many ways to think about disability, such as legal (what legally counts as a disability?), medical (what is a problem to be cured?), identity (who views themselves as “disabled”), etc. We are focused here more on disability as it relates to design and who things in our world are designed for.

      Certainly, considering disability in the context of design involves creating products, environments, and systems that are inclusive and accessible to individuals with a diverse range of abilities. Engaging individuals with disabilities in the design process helps to identify specific needs and challenges they may face. This approach ensures that the final design reflects the diverse perspectives and requirements of the user community.

    1. We might have done or said something we want to be forgotten or make at least made less prominent

      Social media can sometimes capture moments we'd rather forget or minimize. Highlighting the need for better control over our digital footprints and online narratives.

    1. But social media companies often fail at keeping our information secure.

      Indeed, the challenge of maintaining robust security measures on social media platforms is a concern, and the frequent lapses in safeguarding user information raise critical issues about privacy and data protection. It underscores the need for continuous improvement in security practices across the digital landscape.

    1. Data can be poisoned intentionally as well.

      Intentional data poisoning is a serious concern that can compromise the integrity and reliability of datasets, leading to inaccurate analyses and potentially harmful decisions based on manipulated information. Implementing robust security measures and data validation processes is crucial to mitigate the risks associated with intentional data poisoning.

    1. Social media sites then make their money by selling targeted advertising, meaning selling ads to specific groups of people with specific interests.

      Indeed, social media platforms generate revenue primarily through targeted advertising, enabling advertisers to reach specific demographics and interest groups. This personalized approach enhances the effectiveness of ads while contributing to the platform's financial sustainability.

    1. Have you ever tried to change or mask your accent, to avoid being marked as from a certain region? Have you ever felt the need to conceal something about yourself that is often stereotyped, or to use an ingroup signal to deflect people’s attention from a stereotyped feature?

      Many individuals, myself included, have found themselves adapting to social contexts where certain characteristics may be stigmatized or stereotyped. It's a nuanced aspect of communication and identity, reflecting the complexities of societal perceptions and the desire for acceptance. Sharing our experiences can shed light on the challenges individuals face in navigating societal expectations.

    1. “Boys throw stones at frogs in fun, but the frogs do not die in fun, but in earnest.”

      This quote highlights the serious consequences that actions, even seemingly trivial or playful, can have on those who are affected. It serves as a reminder that the impact of our actions should be considered earnestly, as they may carry real and significant consequences for others, even if the intent is lighthearted or playful.

    1. Anonymity can also encourage authentic behavior. If there are aspects of yourself that you don’t feel free to share in your normal life (thus making your normal life inauthentic), then anonymity might help you share them without facing negative consequences from people you know.

      Anonymity can serve as a facilitator for authentic behavior. In situations where individuals feel constrained in expressing certain aspects of themselves due to societal norms or potential consequences, anonymity provides a protective space to share these aspects without fear of negative repercussions.

    1. As a rule, humans do not like to be duped. We like to know which kinds of signals to trust, and which to distrust. Being lulled into trusting a signal only to then have it revealed that the signal was untrustworthy is a shock to the system, unnerving and upsetting. People get angry when they find they have been duped. These reactions are even more heightened when we find we have been duped simply for someone else’s amusement at having done so.

      Humans prefer clear signals that help them distinguish between trustworthy and untrustworthy information. This desire for clarity reflects the need for a reliable foundation in communication.

    1. Friction is anything that gets in the way of a user performing an action. For example, if you have to open and navigate through several menus to find the privacy settings, that is significant friction. Or if one of the buttons has a bug and doesn’t work when you press it, so you have to find another way of performing that action, which is significant friction.

      Indeed, friction in user experience refers to anything that hinders or obstructs a user from seamlessly performing a desired action. It's like encountering obstacles that impede the smooth flow of interaction. For instance, having to navigate through multiple menus to locate privacy settings creates significant friction, as it adds unnecessary steps to the user journey.

    1. 4Chan has various image-sharing bulletin boards, where users post anonymously. Perhaps the most infamous board is the “/b/” board for “random” topics. This board emphasizes “free speech” and “no rules” (with exceptions for child pornography and some other illegal content). In these message boards, users attempt to troll each other and post the most shocking content they can come up with. They also have a history of collectively choosing a target website or community and doing a “raid” where they all try to join and troll and offend the people in that community.

      It's important to acknowledge that the content and activities on 4Chan, especially on the "/b/" board, can be controversial and may involve offensive or inappropriate material. The platform's commitment to anonymity allows users to express themselves without fear of personal repercussions, contributing to a unique online subculture that has both fascinated and raised concerns among internet users.

    1. While we don’t have direct access to all the data ourselves, we can imagine that different definitions would lead to different results. And there isn’t a “best” or “unbiased” definition we should be using, since all definitions are simplifications that will help with some tasks and hurt with others.

      This recognition challenges the notion of a singular "best" or "unbiased" definition, highlighting that definitions are tools tailored for specific purposes. Each definition operates as a lens, clarifying certain aspects while potentially obscuring others. This nuanced perspective encourages a more nuanced understanding of data, fostering adaptability in choosing definitions that align with the specific goals and tasks at hand rather than seeking a one-size-fits-all solution.

    1. This can be especially important when there is a strong social trend to overlook certain data. Such trends, which philosophers call ‘pernicious ignorance’, enable us to overlook inconvenient bits of data to make our utility calculus easier or more likely to turn out in favor of a preferred course of action.

      The concept of 'pernicious ignorance' underscored by philosophers highlights the significant impact of societal trends on our perception of data. Acknowledging this phenomenon is essential, as it elucidates how prevailing trends can lead to the deliberate oversight of inconvenient data. This selective attention serves a psychological purpose, simplifying our decision-making process and often steering it towards outcomes aligned with our favored courses of action.

    1. Sometimes in programming, we want to group several steps (i.e., statements) together. When we group these steps together we call it a code “block.” These blocks of code often used with conditionals (e.g., if this condition is true, do these five steps), and with loops (e.g., for each of these items, do these five steps).

      In the context of conditionals, code blocks provide a clear structure to articulate actions based on specific conditions. For example, if a particular condition is met, executing a series of steps encapsulated within a code block becomes more readable and maintainable. Likewise, in the case of loops, code blocks facilitate the repetition of a set of statements for each iteration. This not only streamlines the code but also contributes to its comprehensibility. Understanding the significance of code blocks is essential for proficient programming, as it allows developers to write more organized, modular, and comprehensible code, contributing to better software design and maintenance.

    1. Bots present a similar disconnect between intentions and actions.

      It's essential to delve deeper into the potential ethical dilemmas arising from this disconnection. For instance, the unintended consequences of bots, such as spreading misinformation or engaging in harmful activities, underscore the ethical responsibility of both bot creators and operators. Additionally, exploring the role of accountability and transparency in the development and deployment of bots could enhance the ethical discourse. This aspect becomes even more crucial as bots play an increasingly significant role in influencing online interactions and information dissemination.

    1. We also see this phrase used to say that things seen on social media are not authentic, but are manipulated, such as people only posting their good news and not bad news, or people using photo manipulation software to change how they look.

      The text highlights a common observation about social media, emphasizing that the phrase "not authentic" is frequently employed to suggest that the content shared on these platforms is often manipulated or curated. This notion aligns with the recognition that social media tends to showcase a skewed version of individuals' lives, emphasizing positive aspects and concealing negative ones. It's crucial to acknowledge the role of selective self-presentation and digital manipulation tools in shaping online narratives. Furthermore, the comment could be extended by discussing the psychological impact of these curated representations on individuals' self-esteem and societal perceptions. Exploring how this phenomenon contributes to the broader conversation about authenticity in the digital age would provide a more comprehensive perspective.

    1. If the gods love an action because it is morally good, then it is good because it follows some other ethics framework. If we can figure out which ethics framework the gods are using, then we can just apply that one ourselves without the gods.

      The text suggests a skeptical perspective on divine command theory by proposing that if gods love an action due to its moral goodness, then there must be an underlying ethics framework that defines that goodness. To strengthen the argument, it would be beneficial to delve into specific examples of ethics frameworks that might align with divine preferences. Additionally, one could argue against the assumption that gods' morality is grounded in a distinct ethics framework, asserting that divine command theory might involve divine intuition or a unique divine ethical system not directly comparable to human frameworks.