Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by throwway120385 725 days ago
Maybe using opaque algorithms to score and assign prominence to specific content based on ill-defined metrics like "engagement" was a mistake.
1 comments

If an algorithm correctly determines content that will keep a person interested, and that content is, lets say problematic, isn't that an issue with the person not the algorithm?
Sure, in the same way that gambling addiction could be argued to be an issue with the person. But we still keep kids out of casinos because they don't have the judgement to make "good" choices when exposed to this kind of stimulation.
My mom is currently struggling to quit drinking and Facebook is constantly showing her ads for White Claw. Expecting her to navigate that during withdrawals and recovery is completely insane.
Yes, that's still a problem with the algorithm as it's prioritizing problematic content for increased ad revenue - something those buying ads on the platform should be extremely concerned about.
If a dealer correctly determines that crack will keep a person interested, and that crack is, let's say problematic, isn't that an issue with the person not the crack?
We appear to be arguing over semantics. The points being raised here are variations of the following questions: how much is a human life worth, and whose responsibility is it to preserve that life? If you want to poison yourself, is anyone under any obligation to stop you from finding or giving you that poison?
Let’s stop with the semantics and get down to specifics.
I mean sure, the specifics are:

It's not the Internet's or Society's job to raise your child.

If you're a parent and you dont want your teen to look at adult instagram its your job to give them some rules and enforcement.

> It's not Society's job to raise your child.

It actually is, children are more raised by society than parents in general. Overall the environment has much more influence on children than the parents, that is societies job to make good environments for children, that is way too much for parents to handle.