The problem with social media is the algorithm-driven business model that rewards engagement. The more emotional and sensational the content, the better it is for the revenue stream of the social media platforms. The anchors, influencers and freelancers thriving on cheap sensationalism, pornography and appeals to emotions instead of the intellect, are the main culprits as well as the beneficiaries of the tyranny of the algorithms. This model used by political parties creates like-minded WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter groups of people, besotted with the same political parties and their leadership.

These groups act as echo chambers which echo and magnify the same content, taking the emotions to a new feverish pitch. Those who join such social media groups can have no exposure to any alternative reality and therefore start believing the narrative of their groups as the gospel truth. The tendency to stay in the group is also reinforced due to one’s own emotional biases and prejudices, whether due to irrational love for a hero-like figure or out of pique for other political parties or groups.

Cut off from alternative reality and contrarian views, debate and understanding are eclipsed while blind beliefs and prejudices get strengthened.

It is therefore the tyranny of the algorithms that has snatched the art of dialogue and civil debate from society, where people are happily incarcerated in their logic bubbles of emotions and prejudices, refusing to break the jail and see an alternative reality. Social media influencers, in a mad rush to make money out of the algorithm-driven business models of social media platforms that reward engagement and sensationalism, continually gaslight their followers by plying them with information that appeals to their baser instincts of fear, anger, envy and lust.

Anyone once caught in the web of this manipulative virtual world finds themselves trapped in........

© The Friday Times