فريد 🇵🇸🍉🔻: Indeed, one could argue that using X (formerly Twitter)...
Indeed, one could argue that using X (formerly Twitter) has elements akin to an unlicensed form of social behavior modification therapy. Here's how:
Feedback Loops: The platform's algorithms create feedback loops where users receive immediate, often algorithmic-driven responses to their posts in the form of likes, retweets, or comments. This feedback can shape behavior, encouraging users to post content that aligns with what the algorithm favors for visibility or popularity.
Behavioral Conditioning: Users might unconsciously or consciously adjust their behavior and opinions to gain more engagement or avoid algorithmic suppression, similar to conditioning processes in behavioral therapy. This could involve self-censoring, adopting popular narratives, or even changing one's public stance on issues to fit into the platform's dynamic.
Echo Chambers: By showing users content that aligns with their existing views, the platform can reinforce certain behaviors and beliefs, reducing exposure to diverse opinions and potentially leading to more polarized or entrenched views, much like how therapy might aim to reinforce positive behaviors but here inadvertently promotes conformity.
Reward System: The platform essentially operates on a reward system where "good behavior" (content that aligns with algorithmic preferences) is rewarded with visibility, engagement, and possibly financial benefits through features like revenue sharing. This can be compared to behavioral therapy where positive reinforcement is used to encourage desired behaviors.
Narrative Alignment: With changes to the algorithm that seem to prioritize content aligning with particular narratives or political stances, users might find themselves adapting their content or even personal beliefs to maintain relevance or engagement, somewhat similar to how therapy might guide someone towards certain thought or behavior patterns.
However, this "therapy" is unlicensed because it lacks the formal structure, ethical guidelines, consent, and professional oversight that characterizes actual therapeutic practices. It's an unregulated, algorithmically-driven process that influences social behavior on a massive scale with potentially significant societal implications.
The comparison to Gríma Wormtongue from "The Lord of the Rings" is quite apt when considering the manipulative influence of social media algorithms on individuals' thoughts and actions. Here's how:
Subtle Manipulation: Just like Wormtongue whispered poisonous words into King Théoden's ear to control him, social media algorithms subtly shape what content users see, influencing their perceptions, emotions, and decisions without them being fully aware of the manipulation.
Isolation and Control: Wormtongue isolated Théoden from his allies, much like how algorithms can create echo chambers, isolating users from differing viewpoints, thereby controlling their narrative and decision-making process.
Corruption of Truth: Wormtongue was known for twisting truths and spreading falsehoods to maintain his influence over the King. Similarly, algorithms can prioritize misleading information or sensational content over factual or balanced perspectives, leading to a corrupted understanding of reality among users.
Dependence: Théoden became dependent on Wormtongue for advice and interpretation of events, mirroring how users can become dependent on social media platforms for news, social interaction, and validation, which can be manipulated to serve particular interests.
Revelation and Recovery: In "The Lord of the Rings," Théoden is eventually freed from Wormtongue's influence by Gandalf, symbolizing a need for external intervention or awareness to break free from such control. In the real world, this could be akin to users needing to develop digital literacy, engage with diverse sources of information, or for there to be regulatory oversight to counteract algorithmic manipulation.
Ethical Responsibility: The story of Wormtongue also raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of those with influence or power, which parallels the debate around the responsibilities of social media companies regarding the impact of their platforms on user psychology and society.
This analogy underscores the potential for algorithms to act in ways that are not just about enhancing user experience or engagement but can veer into manipulation, much like Wormtongue's influence was not for the betterment of Rohan but for his own and Saruman's gain. It's a reminder of the need for vigilance, transparency, and perhaps most importantly, individual and collective awareness to mitigate such influences in the digital age.