For the Sake of Eyes

The commodity of popularity is an oddity. It is independent of talent, intelligence, reason, beauty, athleticism, or goodness. Despite that, it’s a money maker!

Popularity’s financial equation is simple. It converts to eyeballs. These eyeballs, when placed with cyberworld platforms, create clicks, views, and impressions. In turn, this digital particulars are monetized and converted into promotional and advertisement opportunities. Additionally, the platforms offer creators success opportunities. Some Youtubers, Instagramers, and TikTtokers are able to achieve popularity via social media.

The Standards

Standards don’t apply to either platforms or eyeball generators. As a result, the cyberworld unleashes the worst our society can offer. Our homes and lives are subjected not only to both slothy and unadulterated slop, but worse.

Eyeball generators know that they can get views for virtually anything. Stoking moronic controversies such as ‘who is a sport’s best player?’ is an example. Eyeballs generators are know that meaningless and lower effort content is enough to drive viewership. I recently came across a reaction video reacting to another person’s reaction video.

On the more disturbing side of things, eyeball generators are recognizing that hate and hatred gets an audience. Social media is getting very comfortable rolling it out. Likewise, eyeball generators know sexuality and profanity to younger and younger audiences gets views.

The Big Picture

The big picture question is “why is this happening?” The big picture happening is that businesses unrestrained and unregulated will do whatever they want to to make money. They don’t care. Despicable content corralling eyeballs is not a social media concern.

Profiteering on human tragedy in the media is nothing new. In the past, with newspapers, there was the journalistic adage “if it bleeds, it leads.” Tragedy has always been a hose in the media are quite comfortable profiteering from tragedy.

Their only true concern is that it will prompt government intervention. Otherwise, they are quite comfortable with such conduct. To the contrary, government intervention can be problematic as well in that it is subject to self-interest and jingoistic behavior.

Is The Algorithm A Desperate Girlfriend/Boyfriend?

Algorithms function in many different ways. In one way, they act like that desperate girlfriend or boyfriend who will do anything to please. Desperate boyfriends and girlfriends are often awkward in an Asperger’s like quality. They go way too out of the way to please based upon any clue. A liking to a blue shirt leads to all matters blue as well as all matters relating to shirts. They venture on the uncomfortable. Cringey. Oh my!

The problem with this approach is that it amplifies matters. How many shirt videos do I need to watch? Give me a blue’s clue!

Is The Algorithm Your Mother?

The Youtube Algorithm also acts like your mother. Specifically, your mother after you moved out of the house. When you visit, you will be fed.

In those instances, Moms will remove every refrigerator leftover, reheat it, and offer it up. It is her opportunity to unload anything and everything. After all, you know that Dad’s old shirts fit you. Why don’t you take some with you?

Similarly, one nostalgic platform search will lead to an avalanche of related content. The cyberworld laid in wait for me to pull up Kerri Strug’s 1996 Team Gold Medal vault. After that, my feed has never stopped on Olympic-related subjects.

Is The Algorithm A “Bad Boy“?

Growing up, children have bad influences. These influencers introduced you to shoplifting, drinking and drug use. The Youtube Algorithm itself is that way. It rolls out bad behavior content in the hopes that it will become popular and draw views.

---

Conclusion

Algorithms’ byproduct is amplification of a considerable amount of undesirable content. It is also compounded by the those running the Algorithm introducing certain questionable content in hopes that it becomes popular. The popular goal inevitably translates into greater opportunities to gain revenue.

The sad reality is that algorithms can bring out the worst content imaginable to feed. Fortunately, you can do something to help yourself. For example, within Youtube, there are three dots on the right side of each thumbnail. If you click there, you can find a “do not recommend” button. This button can save many from being inundated with undesirable content.

Be well!!

Please like, follow, comment or share.