Filter Bubbles V. Homophily

            Internet algorithms are used to provide us information on our most recent searches, while it is common for most sites to use this algorithm the real question is whether or not is it beneficial to us as a human race. In ted talks Eli Pariser brings up the idea of a filter bubble. It is a bubble that contains information that cater to our beliefs and ideas. If you often click on liberal over conservative articles your search will provide you with more liberal stand points. Eli makes a point that this filter bubble is making harder for us as humans to see the other side of the coin. If out searches always show us what we want to see we will never discover the side that opposes our beliefs. This is causing humans to become more separated because of how information is being delivered to us. Just like Eli said these filters are computer generated they do not have an ethical point of view like humans. This algorithm is not allowing a mix of information; Eli belives this can separate people because we are only enforcing our own belief without considering the what is said against us.

            Olive Thompson on the other hand believes banding together with people who have similar interest with oneself is actually beneficial. Thompson talks a lot about homophily; the human tendency to find people or even be attracted to people who are similar to themselves. Thompson believes homophily does not diminish the range of information we receive on the internet. He btrings up that for a long period of time people believed those with a few close friends and a wider range of acquaintances are more likely to get ahead in life, but this theory does not take into context of how often you and your acquaintances converse with each other. Since it is natural for a human to have close friends who have similar interest they are more likely to meet up more often than that of an acquaintance. Sharing ideas with a close friend the idea is more likely to stick to you than that of an acquaintance.

Information provided

Pariser, Eli. “Beware Online ‘Filter Bubbles.’” Ted, Ted,

www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles#t-483649

Thompson, Clive. “Clive Thompson on High-Bandwidth Buddies.” Wired, Conde Nast, 7 Mar.

2018, www.wired.com/2011/04/st-thompson-homophily/.