Lesson 4
Algorithm Adventures
- You probably already know that apps show you stuff based on what you like.This link takes you to an external website
- But most people don't realize how much that shapes what you believe and how you see the world. I mean, you might intuitively get it, but it really shapes your perspective.
- Ever think to yourself "how can this clown on Twitter not see things from my perspective? Doesn't he see the same news I'm seeing?!"
- Algorithms track what you click, watch, and engage with—and then build your whole feed around that.
- This lesson shows how that process can lead to echo chambers, filter bubbles, or content spirals.
- You'll explore what happens when two people click on different things and end up with totally different internets.
How algorithms shape what you see online.
Take a look at these feeds.
HuffPost
· 1h ago
The Intercept
· 2h ago
Daily Beast
· 3h ago
Mother Jones
· 4h ago
Vox
· 5h ago
AP News
· 1h ago
Reuters
· 2h ago
NPR
· 3h ago
BBC News
· 4h ago
Reuters
· 5h ago
Fox News
· 1h ago
National Review
· 2h ago
NY Post
· 3h ago
The Federalist
· 4h ago
Axios
· 5h ago
Ever feel like the other side just isn't seeing the same stuff as you? You're probably right. Switch identities to see how the same news events are covered differently.
A more progressive feed
Voting Rights Under Attack: New Laws Threaten Democracy and Could Disenfranchise Millions, Advocates Warn
Climate Crisis: Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Block Urgent Action as Extreme Weather Worsens Worldwide
Supreme Court Rulings Roll Back LGBTQ+ Protections, Sparking Outrage Among Civil Rights Groups
Wealth Gap Widens: Billionaires Get Richer Amid Crisis as Working Families Struggle to Get By
Police Reform Stalls as Protests Continue Nationwide, Frustrating Activists Seeking Change
A More Neutral News Feed
Several states passed new voting laws, sparking debate over their impact on voter access and election security.
Climate legislation faces opposition from industry groups and lawmakers concerned about potential economic impact.
Supreme Court issued rulings affecting both religious rights and LGBTQ+ protections, drawing mixed reactions.
Economic data shows a widening wealth gap during the recent economic downturn, with significant effects on different groups.
Nationwide protests and debates continue over police reform policies and their effectiveness.
A more conservative feed
Election Integrity: States Move to Secure the Vote from Pervasive Fraud, Despite Criticism from the Left
Climate Policy: The Steep Economic Costs of Green New Deal Spark Backlash from Businesses and Lawmakers
Supreme Court Defends Religious Freedom in Landmark Case, Limiting LGBTQ+ Protections
Tax Hikes Hurt Small Businesses, Critics Say, as Wealth Gap Continues to Grow
Police Face Challenges Amid Calls for Reform, With Officers Reporting Low Morale and Difficult Working Conditions
Did these feeds feel like the same internet?
Notice how the same events can look very different depending on the source.
Important note: this doesn't *necessarily* mean that the articles here are fake or untrustworthy. This exercise is here so you can be more mindful of how algorithms, as well as headlines, quietly shape your perspective. Nobody is immune to bias!
Verify claims
Notice how the same events can look very different depending on the source.
Important note: this doesn't *necessarily* mean that the articles here are fake or untrustworthy. This exercise is here so you can be more mindful of how algorithms, as well as headlines, quietly shape your perspective. Nobody is immune to bias!