Algorithm Jockeys (AJs)
PS 5/2024: Cory Doctorow: Newer social media platforms, notably Tiktok, dispensed entirely with deterministic feeds, defaulting every user into a feed that consisted entirely of algorithmic picks; the people you follow on these platforms are treated as mere suggestions by their algorithms. This is a perfect breeding-ground for enshittification: different parts of the business can twiddle the knobs to override the algorithm for their own parochial purposes, shifting the quality:shit ratio by unnoticeable increments, temporarily toggling the quality knob when your engagement drops off: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2023/01/20/tiktoks-secret-heating-button-can-make-anyone-go-viral/ *** Algorithms can be a continuous train to nowhere: Say you're sitting on a train, looking out the window and you see some interesting architecture. It then starts to feed you ideas on where you could go. I suppose that's an interesting idea if you haven't been to a place. But
