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> No algorithms I don't like this particular lie. It seems like as soon as we find it acceptable to tell it, we get to choose how complex or user-hostile the a

> No algorithms I don't like this particular lie. It seems like as soon as we find it acceptable to tell it, we get to choose how complex or user-hostile the algorithm gets to be while still telling the same lie.

rednerrus 5y ago
Also, without an algorithm it's going to be useless. Tik Tok works because the algorithm allows you to find new creators.
- CarelessExpert 5y ago
  Yes, because algorithmic curation is the only form of content discovery...
  - 8ytecoder 5y ago
    Algorithm for discovery and algorithm for sorting are two different things as well. I’d love to see recommendations for people to follow. But from those I follow I want a chronological order.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
imwillofficial 5y ago
This is not a lie. This is a shorthand to quickly convey a meaningful feature. Namely, no algorithmic timeline manipulating what you see. It’s just that, a timeline. Next you’ll be telling me that calling something “cool” is a lie, because that new T-shirt doesn’t have a low temperature.
- itake 5y ago
  a timeline is an algorithm? Wait until people start gaming the timeline based algorithm by deleting and re-posting images, so they stay at the top slot. When does "no algorithm" become an algorithm? When you add ML?
  - notJim 5y ago
    In the common language used these days, "the algorithm" refers to the sorting/reranking companies like Facebook and now Twitter do to attempt to show you posts you're most likely to engage with. I think the vast majority of people reading that Glass has "no algorithm" will understand this.
- sib 5y ago
  But it is - sorting by timestamp is certainly an algorithm.
  - groby_b 5y ago
    In a world where people nitpick each other to death, sure. Meanwhile, in the real world, language has meaning beyond the literal expression. And I'm willing to put money on the fact that their target audience understands perfectly what "no algorithm" means. Heck, even the people complaining know what it means, they just like being right.
    - deleted 5y ago
      [deleted]
klyrs 5y ago
It's kinda like saying that a product contains "no chemicals." There's a truth that people are reaching for, but the language used is deceptive. Clearly, "select * from my_table order by insertion_time" is handled by an algorithm... but it isn't ranking content by hidden metrics, maximizing engagement, etc. that people mean by "algorithm." When tools are used to do harm, they cease to have neutral meanings. Chemistry is villainized because of DDT; medicine is villainized because of thalidomide, AR-15s are villainized because of mass shootings, etc. Can we expect more nuance of a lay-audience?

rednerrus 5y ago

Also, without an algorithm it's going to be useless. Tik Tok works because the algorithm allows you to find new creators.

CarelessExpert 5y ago
Yes, because algorithmic curation is the only form of content discovery...
- 8ytecoder 5y ago
  Algorithm for discovery and algorithm for sorting are two different things as well. I’d love to see recommendations for people to follow. But from those I follow I want a chronological order.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]

imwillofficial 5y ago

This is not a lie. This is a shorthand to quickly convey a meaningful feature. Namely, no algorithmic timeline manipulating what you see. It’s just that, a timeline. Next you’ll be telling me that calling something “cool” is a lie, because that new T-shirt doesn’t have a low temperature.

itake 5y ago
a timeline is an algorithm? Wait until people start gaming the timeline based algorithm by deleting and re-posting images, so they stay at the top slot. When does "no algorithm" become an algorithm? When you add ML?
- notJim 5y ago
  In the common language used these days, "the algorithm" refers to the sorting/reranking companies like Facebook and now Twitter do to attempt to show you posts you're most likely to engage with. I think the vast majority of people reading that Glass has "no algorithm" will understand this.
sib 5y ago
But it is - sorting by timestamp is certainly an algorithm.
- groby_b 5y ago
  In a world where people nitpick each other to death, sure. Meanwhile, in the real world, language has meaning beyond the literal expression. And I'm willing to put money on the fact that their target audience understands perfectly what "no algorithm" means. Heck, even the people complaining know what it means, they just like being right.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]

klyrs 5y ago

It's kinda like saying that a product contains "no chemicals." There's a truth that people are reaching for, but the language used is deceptive. Clearly, "select * from my_table order by insertion_time" is handled by an algorithm... but it isn't ranking content by hidden metrics, maximizing engagement, etc. that people mean by "algorithm." When tools are used to do harm, they cease to have neutral meanings. Chemistry is villainized because of DDT; medicine is villainized because of thalidomide, AR-15s are villainized because of mass shootings, etc. Can we expect more nuance of a lay-audience?