love this piece so much!! i would love your thoughts on the differences between “handicapping” and “restricting” the Algorithm? how would this look in differences in legislation?
By handicapping, I mean making the Algorithm more boring. We can make the Algorithm super addictive if we want to, but we should take steps to actively make the Algorithm worse. By restricting it, I mean banning it for minors for example, or selling apps that put time limits on using it. Basically blocking access to it.
In terms of legislation, if you restrict the algorithm, you don't have to deal with intellectual property law - you're not manipulating a company's product (the Algorithm itself), you're just making it harder to get to. Handicapping it on the other hand, means sticking your fingers into the Algorithm to make it more boring - and this means violating someone else's intellectual property, which is way way trickier to do...
truly obsessed!! so glad i subscribed to your substack!!
Awe, thanks so much! I think you're high-key my biggest fan!
love this piece so much!! i would love your thoughts on the differences between “handicapping” and “restricting” the Algorithm? how would this look in differences in legislation?
By handicapping, I mean making the Algorithm more boring. We can make the Algorithm super addictive if we want to, but we should take steps to actively make the Algorithm worse. By restricting it, I mean banning it for minors for example, or selling apps that put time limits on using it. Basically blocking access to it.
In terms of legislation, if you restrict the algorithm, you don't have to deal with intellectual property law - you're not manipulating a company's product (the Algorithm itself), you're just making it harder to get to. Handicapping it on the other hand, means sticking your fingers into the Algorithm to make it more boring - and this means violating someone else's intellectual property, which is way way trickier to do...