Tag: technology

Filter Bubble

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A filter bubble is an intellectual isolation that can occur when websites make use of algorithms to selectively assume the information a user would want to see, and then give information to the user according to this assumption.

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Websites make these assumptions based on the information related to the user, such as former click behavior, browsing history, search history, and location. For that reason, the websites are more likely to present only information that will abide by the user’s past activity.

A filter bubble, therefore, can cause users to get significantly less contact with contradicting viewpoints, causing the user to become intellectually isolated.

Personalized search results from Google and personalized news stream from Facebook are two perfect examples of this phenomenon.

What are filters and where exactly is the “bubble?”

Language and location are the two most basic filters Google and other sites use to deliver personalized results. If you are searching Google for an electrician and you speak English and live in Ohio, Google knows there’s no need to show you the link to a bilingual electrician in Texas.

There are many other factors that Google and others use to personalize results to you. All of these filters create a bubble around you. The information that filters deem important to you goes into the bubble; the rest stays outside of the bubble and does not show up in search results.

The term filter bubble was coined by internet activist Eli Pariser in his book, “The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You” (2011).

Pariser relates a case in which a user searches for “BP” on Google and gets investment news regarding British Petroleum as the search result, while another user receives details on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill for the same keyword. These two search results are noticeably different and could affect the searchers’ impression of the news surrounding the British Petroleum company.

According to Pariser, this bubble impact could have adverse effects on social discourse. However, others say the impact is negligible.

How Are Filter Bubbles Created?

Algorithmic websites, like many search engines and social media sites, show users content based on their past behavior. Depending on what you’ve clicked on in the past, the website shows you what it thinks you are most likely to engage with.

Social Media companies, like Facebook, want you to keep using the product. So instead of being a feed of all the information, Facebook is selective with what it puts in your feed. People often assume that the information they see is unbiased when it is actually skewed towards their beliefs.

Here is what Mark Zuckerberg said emphasizing the importance of news feed in Facebook and how they need to customized from user to user:

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Rarely do we go past the page-1 of our Google searches? Highly filtered results (which most of us prefer – living in a bubble), meaning other stuff gets demoted. And the personalization increases as algorithm gets more training on your interests, and thus the wall of bubble goes thicker and thicker.

Why are Filter Bubbles Bad?

After a while of only seeing results they agree with, people begin to believe that they are more correct and then their views are strengthened and solidified. This means that when someone disagrees with them, both of their views are likely to be more polarized. As a result, these people are less likely to agree with each other, or even talk to each other.

Filter bubbles are a kind of “intellectual isolation”. This isolation creates ignorance to other perspectives and opinions.

The negative of personalization and filter bubbles is that you will only see information that you like. Google is not going to challenge or disagree with you. (Its search results and what flows into your “bubble” are all based on algorithms.) It’s important to know, you’re only seeing one side of the story: Your side. When we are only surrounded by information and people we agree with, we miss opportunities to learn and grow.

The other con associated with the bubble is Page Ranking. Search engines use this to categorize, and rank pages based on the number of hits or popularity of a given website or content. This doesn’t make the information accurate, but we tend to believe that because it ranks higher in the search than other websites it must be legit. This takes away our ability to dig deeper for relevant information.

How can you burst out of it?

In order to burst the filter bubble following steps can be handy.

  1. To get rid of your search history.
  2. To turn off targeted ads using ad blocking software
  3. Ensuring that you delete your browser cookies
  4. Disabling tracking cookie features
  5. Keeping your Facebook data private, altogether!
  6. Going incognito or anonymous
  7. Private search engines are a great way to avoid filter bubbles.

What is the difference between the Filter Bubble and Personalisation?

Personalisation is the process and filter bubble the result. Personalization makes you only see stuff in your feed that is supposed to be relevant to you. That creates a filter bubble in which everything else is filtered out.

Additional Resources:

Eli Pariser: Beware online “filter bubbles” – Watch the eight minute video of his speech at Ted 2011.

I’d love to hear your comments. Do drop a comment below.

Source: Techopedia, Search Encrypt, Blitzmediadesign, Yingyingxia

Digital Minimalism

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Minimalism is big these days. In particular, there’s a version of Minimalism called Digital Minimalism that’s quickly rising to prominence as our lives become increasingly tech-centric.

Personal technology like smartphones and tablets are enabling us to spend more and more time online. And as we do, many of us are starting to feel uneasy about this persistent ‘digital creep’—that steady march of gadgets and tech into every aspect of our lives.

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Before we get to Digital Minimalism specifically, it’s helpful to first understand Minimalism in general.

Josh Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus, two bloggers largely credited with kickstarting the current Minimalist movement, define it like this:

Minimalism is a lifestyle that helps people question what things add value to their lives. By clearing the clutter from life’s path, we can all make room for the most important aspects of life: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution.

What is Digital Minimalism?

Digital Minimalism is a specific application of the general minimalist
philosophy to the role of technology in our lives.

Cal Newport has the best definition of Digital Minimalism I’ve seen:

Digital minimalism is a philosophy that helps you question what digital communication tools (and behaviors surrounding these tools) add the most value to your life. It is motivated by the belief that intentionally and aggressively clearing away low-value digital noise, and optimizing your use of the tools that really matter, can significantly improve your life.

“Digital minimalism” is the concept and strategy of how to embrace and enjoy the benefits that the internet, email, the web, smartphones, tablets, and other technology bring us, without becoming overwhelmed by the fire hose. It is about how to cope with email overload and information overload, how to reduce email volume or manage it more effectively and how to not just survive, but how to thrive in the age of distraction.

If the problem is “Too Much”, then the solution to the problem will always be “Less”. Digital Minimalism is the practice of learning how to achieve that balance without losing the benefits that technology brings us.

DIGITAL USAGE BY THE NUMBERS: According to the latest research from comScore’s 2017 U.S. Cross-Platform Future in Focus study:

  • Total digital media usage is up 40% since 2013
  • Smartphone usage has doubled in the last 3 years
  • 1 of every 2 minutes spent online is on “leisure activities” including social media, video viewing, entertainment/music, and games
  • 1 of every 5 minutes spent online is on social media
  • At the end of 2016, the average person spent 2 hours 51 minutes per day on mobile

If those stats aren’t shocking enough:

  • Last year, Apple apparently acknowledged that its device users unlock their phones 80 times every day.
  • Another piece of research from dscout claims the average person touches their phone 2,617 times per day (tapping, swiping, typing, etc.) — some people are even over 5,400 touches per day.

We have been interacting with devices long enough to know, fairly scientifically, that too much screen time is a health risk:

  • Basing our measures of success and well-being on social media negatively affect our happiness, stress levels, and feelings of self-worth.
  • From a physical standpoint, over-indulging on devices can cause ailments like eye strain, text neck, insomnia, and cybersickness or “digital motion sickness.
  • Increased use of chat and text to communicate is reducing our ability to read emotions and interact empathetically with each other.
  • Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) is a feeling of anxiety over the possibility of missing out on something, which many people experience when they discover that other people have had fun together, especially caused by things you see on social media.
  • The Fear of Being Offline (FOBO) is the lesser-known cousin of The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). FOBO includes the fear of not being able to get online and check what is going on in your social media feed.
  • Nomophobia is the irrational fear of being without your mobile phone or being unable to use your phone for some reason, such as the absence of a signal or running out of minutes or battery power.

Tech is for making stuff, not feeling better. Use technology as a tool to accomplish your goals and aspirations. Don’t lean on it as a crutch for cheap emotional satisfaction or distraction.

YOU ARE A PERSON, NOT A PRODUCT

You are the product when you are using the Internet. You are data that is then sold to advertisers — that they then use to sell you even more stuff you don’t really need. Don’t fall victim to lifestyle inflation.

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Simplify your digital life:

  • Remove social media apps from your phone.
  • Unsubscribe from email newsletters that aren’t bringing you value
  • Turn off notifications from smartphone apps that are constantly distracting you
  • Go for a lunch break without your phone or tablet.
  • Practice mindfulness meditation.
  • Bring back the Sabbath. Use your day of rest as a day without tech.
  • Small Moves. Practice periodically leaving your phone at home, in the car, when you are on a walk, meeting for lunch, taking your kids to the park. People did these things just fine for generations. You can too.
  • Don’t keep your phone by your bed. Use an “old school” alarm clock.
  • Practice healthy sleep hygiene.
  • Go outside. Spend time in nature. Go for a walk after dinner.
  • Do it with your kids, friends, and family. Make a pact.
  • Track your progress. Make a chart, set goals. Use a pen and paper.
  • Keep a Journal. Note how do you feel. How does this change over time? What do you notice about your thoughts, feelings, moods, and interactions with others? Does it feel liberating? Empowering? Are you getting more done?
  • Build/Create something. Re-engage in an old hobby.
  • Plant a garden.
  • Read an actual book.
  • Go Analog. Start using pen and paper again for things like “to do” or grocery lists.
  • Incorporate into a dietary cleanse, fast, or other practice of food as medicine.
  • Stop taking pictures of everything and enjoy the moment for what it is.

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Join the movement. Take Part in the National Day of Unplugging 2019. The second Friday in March is National Day of Unplugging. This holiday consists of a 24-hour period from sundown to sundown, to unplug, unwind, relax and do things other than using today’s technology, electronics, and social media.

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The History of the Day of Unplugging:

The National Day of Unplugging was created by Reboot, a nonprofit Jewish community that was originally established in 2003. However, you do not need to be Jewish, or even religious at all to participate. The idea behind the day was to challenge people to keep their electronic devices unplugged and unused for 24 hours in order to give themselves the chance to take a break and spend time relaxing with family, friends, or alone. This is definitely something that would be useful to everyone, regardless of religion or lack of it.

Reboot believes that such time taken to “reboot” or systems will make us happier, more content with our lives, and more aware of the things that matter.

Credits: nickwignall, sloww.co,faceyourfobo, daysoftheyear, digitalminimalism,nationaldayofunplugging, fullforms, blog.trello, healthyhildegard, perthnow, @marny_lishman, Cal Newport