The story is “free for a limited time.” If that changes, here’s an archived version: https://archive.is/20260221125132/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/x-really-is-pulling-users-to-the-right.html
I don't fully understand why the article is arguing that algorithmic bias is "finally" happening to the "elites." Twitter, like any other social media site, has a broad cohort of users, and yes, while it's traditionally been an outlet for news organisations and influencers to share breaking updates, that's something quite different than actually "using" the platform. The people using Twitter are still randos like you and me, and it's them who are being driven right. The site's power users were already there and using that algorithmic bias to their advantage.
Facebooks and Cambridge Analytica won 2016 for Trump.
It's settled.
Even Zuckerberg had to admit it internally despite being in denial intially.
Anything after that is just extension of the same effect.
Matching users with self perpetuating algorithms to develop trust and solidify opinion.
The worst bit from a book I've reading of 'Careless People' authored from a lady that was the international policy negotiator and expert. Was that the ads on Facebook that garnered more engagement, they paid less for.
Pretty much creating a perpetual motion machine of advertisements that elicited emotion in people to engage.
Brief_Direction_5647 | a day ago
The story is “free for a limited time.” If that changes, here’s an archived version: https://archive.is/20260221125132/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/x-really-is-pulling-users-to-the-right.html
Quouar | a day ago
I don't fully understand why the article is arguing that algorithmic bias is "finally" happening to the "elites." Twitter, like any other social media site, has a broad cohort of users, and yes, while it's traditionally been an outlet for news organisations and influencers to share breaking updates, that's something quite different than actually "using" the platform. The people using Twitter are still randos like you and me, and it's them who are being driven right. The site's power users were already there and using that algorithmic bias to their advantage.
Bannedwith1milKarma | 18 hours ago
Facebooks and Cambridge Analytica won 2016 for Trump.
It's settled.
Even Zuckerberg had to admit it internally despite being in denial intially.
Anything after that is just extension of the same effect.
Matching users with self perpetuating algorithms to develop trust and solidify opinion.
The worst bit from a book I've reading of 'Careless People' authored from a lady that was the international policy negotiator and expert. Was that the ads on Facebook that garnered more engagement, they paid less for.
Pretty much creating a perpetual motion machine of advertisements that elicited emotion in people to engage.