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What Is at Risk When Consuming Large Amounts of Media?
What Is at Risk When Consuming Large Amounts of Media?
The negative aspects of media consumption are well known, but I wanted to make my search more specific than what is already common knowledge. This was done by focusing on how it affects the way we communicate and our ability to do so as well. I have included some articles and studies done on this topic. Also, reference The Impacts tab to explore more of these negatives.
The content covers a variety ranging from lightly problematic to deeply problematic negative influences. I will explain which is which.
Algorithms have a mutually shaping nature conditioned by their system.
This means that when we take part in interacting with online algorithms, we are influencing change in them, and they are influencing change in us. This is only slightly negative because it has the potential to cause problems as we learn new things and modify our social norms and systems. Thinking of media as something that is transactional is something few consider, even with the extended amount of time people use it. Communication is something that holds so much power; anything that may influence it for the worse must be carefully monitored.
The design of algorithms is made to not be entirely transparent to users, making it resistant to public scrutiny.
Companies are not very forthcoming with how they have designed their algorithm systems to work. This is why it is difficult to weed out the bad from the good in algorithms, as they cannot be critiqued nor adjudicated by anyone outside of the company running them. Now, this may not be a direct consequence for users, but it is in their best interest, as many have no idea what they are internalizing or how to change it for the better.
3. Desensitizes people to understanding what should remain private and what shouldn't.
Many people who create content are very open or may even feature the everyday happenings and big news in their lives. This means people have insight into someone's very personal affairs, creating the guise that there is no harm in sharing intimate information. This has the potential to carry over into face-to-face conversation as well as other people's personal online profiles. Of course, at face value, we can see how this is a problem, as people can easily invite unwanted eyes to watch their every move, such as stalkers and predators. This also applies to in-person situations. Reading social cues is important in all situations. Algorithms can easily dull this sense.
4. Due to algorithms, people are aiming for attention and recognition above all else.
When users seek to become influencers, they begin to seek that which will maximize views, sometimes to the point that they abandon their interests and sense of self. This can bleed into real-life interactions, leaving only superficial relationships and an outlook that seeks only that which will offer something in return. It's a self-centered perspective, and yet I have seen it before. Algorithms have trained our brains to engage only when we find interest. This leads us to isolate ourselves from anything we don't relate to and limits social growth.
Conclusion
Conclusion
I know this list is a bit short. Again, check my first research post for further negative impacts. I see most people always talking about media affecting mental health, which is true. However, I would like to see people thinking a bit more critically about it. We repeat what we know but forget to think about topics any further. That's why I loved the takes of Yuval Noah Harari and Jonathan Haidt as they discuss how changes to technology can and are affecting consumers and what it means. They are much more eloquent than I am, so I suggest taking a look at their content!
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