Persuasion and Filter Bubbles
By Alicia/Kyeongseon Cho
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What are you interested in these days? For many YouTube users, interests include these topics: pets, beauty, health, or food. If you don't know what you're interested in, look at your cell phone right now. What videos do you see on your YouTube main page? YouTube has a so-called “YouTube algorithm” that recommends videos to you based on AI analysis. Your algorithm reflects your current preference. it is built based on your search history, visiting sites, SNS followers, and voice recognition. It means, if you watched a video about cats, your algorithm will recommend more cat videos. That's why everyone in the world has different YouTube main pages even though you and your family or friends are very similar in personality and taste.
Algorithm
Algorithms are very useful when you use Google or YouTube. You can learn more about your interesting field. You can avoid areas you don't like because you only recommend your favorite videos. However, there are clearly disadvantages caused by algorithms. You have no idea what areas you are not interested in. Until you come out and look for it. This is because you continue to encounter only images filtered by the filter "Your preference." Even it doesn't affect your video viewing alone. It can also create a "filter bubble" phenomenon among scholars.
You may have experienced sharing your interests with others. It's a lot of fun to talk to a friend who has the same interests and the same opinions. Like after watching a movie with a girl/boyfriend, discussing the ending of a movie, when you go shopping with your sister, talking about which clothes are better, or talking about a favorite singer's recent album with a friend. However, there are cases where there are different interests or opinions even if they have the same interests. When you talk to my parents about politics, you could support different political parties with them, discuss religious issues with your friends, and discuss feminism online. Do you like to discuss with someone who disagrees with you? With the development of the Internet, you can talk to people you don't know about a variety of topics. You can talk to other people on SNS and YouTube comments. You can also learn about areas you don't know and share your interests with others.
Filter Bubble
With the development of the Internet, your algorithm has become more aware of you. Your algorithm makes you more precise in calculating, filtering, and viewing only the content you want. This makes it more difficult for you to see a video that is not your area of interest. The more exposed you are to your algorithms, the more likely you are to be trapped in your own world. In Jessie Cannizzo’s article, “Powerless Persuasion: Ineffective Argumentation Plagues the Clean Eating Community,” ENG 120 Critical Writing, Pace University, Fall 2016, this phenomenon is well explained. Jessie Cannizzo explains the controversial comments in the video comments about "clean eating." There’s no exact definition of “clean eating”, it typically emphasizes the importance of natural foods and advises against processed food, preservatives, additives, and added sugar. (Focus on Writing 155) Regarding "clean eating," some vegans may think that their thoughts are everyone's thoughts. That's why they adopt an ineffective way of communication to persuade others. According to her article, “Though people tend to believe that the internet promotes connection, in reality, it promotes isolation by separating people according to the common viewpoint. People associate with others who share a similar perspective when they go on the internet and social media platforms (Seife 289).” In this way, Internet users being trapped in their own cultural and ideological bubbles is called a "filter bubble" in technical terms.
People trapped in the filter bubble have difficulty understanding the world where various opinions are intertwined. This article gives an example of Cassey Ho's case and explains it easily. Jessie Cannizzo said she found a controversy still ongoing in the comments section of Cassey Ho's YouTube video. Her diet consisted mainly of vegetables, which helped many vegan diets. However, even though she did not identify herself as vegan, numerous vegan subscribers posted comments attacking her, citing the inclusion of meat in her diet. (Focus on Writing 158) Jessie Cannizzo saw people trapped in the filter bubble in YouTube comments. These vegans think only their ideas are correct. They complain to others even though it is not illegal not to follow the vegan diet. It is not just a vegan's problem. You can often find this phenomenon in your daily life. Some fans of BTS, one of the K-pop groups, are apt to think that everyone likes BTS. Many religious people might think only their religion is right, or non-religious people are ignorant. Also, many scientists might think that everyone will be interested in their research when they explain their theories to the public. Depending on likes and dislikes, tastes, ideas, religions, and intellectual curiosity, people can be trapped in their own bubbles.
Solution
People who are trapped in their own world and do not understand the world and make their own arguments are not convincing. In the article, Jessie Cannizzo said, “These discussions have displayed the close-minded attitude that the internet and social media have given rise to. People on the internet are not looking for their opinions to be evaluated by others; rather they wish for their viewpoint to be accepted or embraced by others.” (Focus on Writing 158) You should know that your opinion may not be accepted when you express yours. You have to be open-minded and realize that there are maybe different opinions with you. When you talk about your opinion, admit that you don't have to accept it. The article even says you should be responsible when you write on the Internet. The Internet is a place where various opinions coexist. People can come across various statements based on ideas and religion on the Internet. And the words they encounter may be yours. You should always be aware and write that your opinion can be seen by people with opposing opinions. You have to write well so that when they read your comments, they can think of your writing as persuasive, not just an argument to skip.
Now check your YouTube main page again. What videos do you see on your YouTube main page? What's missing content on your page? Can you find what is the opposite of your interests? If you have time, check out the YouTube Trend page. Have a look at the trend topics that many people are interested in now. Also, check the comments on the video. What are your opinions about them? Do you agree with others' opinions? If you disagree, you'll know what more you need to explain to the people on the other side of you. The more you see people who have different opinions from you, the more in-depth you will be able to think. This will definitely help you in your life. I hope you will break your own world and come out into a wider world.
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