We hear constantly about algorithms these days — but do we truly understand what an algorithm is, and all of the ramifications?
Most of us use some form of social media — whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or something else. Of course, this means scrolling through the information provided by those platforms. Occasionally, we spot something that we think is worthy of more attention so we stop to look more closely. And when we do, The Algorithm strikes.
Algorithms are an important and sometimes controversial part of AI. Simply put, in many platforms they use mathematical and statistical methods to analyze data about user behavior to figure out where your preferences lie and then precede to flood your flow of information with like-themed content. In other words, Big Brother Is watching — and it wants your attention.
But beware of what you wish for because sometimes you get it. Allow me to elaborate. I love history, all kinds of it, so as I scroll through my Facebook feed if I see something that is related to history I tend to stop and investigate further. This aspect has been wonderful. I have learned so much about the world and how we have functioned within it through the centuries. And I will continue to investigate and learn in this manner.
Now, here is where the good thing/bad thing comes into play. I also fancy myself to be a student of human nature. With that in mind, I found myself interested in police bodycam footage, particularly DUI (Driving Under the Influence) traffic stops. One of the things that is most fascinating to me is how the excessive use of alcohol can transform normal, intelligent human beings into raging, irrational, insufferable lunatics.
Consistent with the algorithm-based feed, I’m now barraged with police bodycam DUI videos of screaming maniacs. And I must be honest; I must fight at not becoming obsessed with them. The power of The Algorithm is strong. This has a two-fold negative effect.
First, it takes me away from other, more valuable information that, if you take a little time to find, can still be rewarding. Second, it constantly reinforces the worst side of human nature. At some point, I must quell a building rage at people that I do not even know! That is bizarre. Even my partner, Amanda, warns me not to get too caught up with it because it changes me when I do. And she is right. I feel myself actually getting angry at these boorish people!
This is the challenge of social media – the yin-yang of it all. We can learn so much from the internet and it can bring us to new heights of communication, but it can also be a deep rabbit hole where hatred, bigotry, and racism flourish will equal vigor. It seems to me that the value of social media comes from its ability to connect and inspire. But I suppose like all things in life (here’s that yin-yang thing again), it has a dark side, too.
Recently, an incident in Nyack highlighted this dichotomy. During a school trip to Nyack’s Memorial Park, a group of schoolgirls from Monsey somehow (exactly how remains to be determined) managed to find their way into a large drainage tunnel that is connected to the park. At some point, they went too far and had to be extricated by emergency personnel. No one was seriously injured and, miraculously, all of the girls (estimated at be about 40) emerged unharmed and smiling.
I know this because I was there recording with my cell phone when they were rescued by EMTs, the police, and others from an emergency exit nearly a half-mile away from where their journey began. Without judgement except to ask how this might have happened and acknowledging the success of the rescue, I posted the video to my Facebook page.
As of this writing, that video has been viewed nearly 70,000 times! There have also been hundreds of comments on the thread that was created. And in keeping with the theme of this article, many of the comments have expressed, despite the strange circumstances, relief at the successful outcome of the whole affair. First responders were also rightly lauded. However, there was also a shocking amount of negative responses that were hurtful, ugly, bigoted, and mean-spirited.
It leaves one asking, “How could anyone produce that kind of vitriol from a situation whose outcome could have been so much worse?” Well, you just need to look at my video to discover why. It seems by appearance (and later confirmed) that the girls were from religious school in the ultra-orthodox community of Monsey, New York. This fact seemed to outrage people before virtually any of the facts behind the incident were even fully known! One can only assume that these people harbor a deep bigotry that simmers between the surface, and The Algorithm allows it to be expressed. The fact that rage, yes rage, was heaped on teenage schoolgirls is not only deplorable, it’s cowardly.
I live in Nyack, in Rockland County. I am fully aware of the increasing tension between the growing, insular, ultra-orthodox community and the rest of the county. I am concerned about that for many reasons; one of the biggest is the use of The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) as a cudgel by that community. RLUIPA is a federal law that protects religious organizations and individuals from discriminatory or excessively burdensome land-use regulations. I have voiced that opinion in many forms.
However, that is a completely different issue. This is about the safety of children. Judging from some of the comments posted, it’s fair to ask: Would the response have been as vicious, this “targeted,” if it had been a bunch of Catholic schoolboys? I suppose some even thought they were being “funny.” They were not.
It is certainly reasonable to question how this happened and who should ultimately shoulder the responsibility. No one should be laughing this off or simply dismiss it out of hand. However, remember Beware of the Algorithm: if you put hate in, you will get hate back. If you look for the worst in people, you will easily find it. And haven’t we all had just about enough of that?
Frank LoBuono is a Nyack resident, photographer, blogger and retired CBS News journalist.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this article are those of this independent writer and not the Nyack News & Views editorial staff. We welcome submissions from anybody who is interested in publishing their thoughts, ideas and perspectives about issues facing our community, both large and small. Please send submissions to info@nyacknewsandviews.com.
Photo credit: George Pejoves
