The Paradox of Development. In 2008, Google created a system to predict flu outbreaks in advance. Initially, the tool accurately forecasted when and where the flu might occur. However, in 2013, a new feature was added that suggested related search terms. As a result, searchers began inputting their queries less carefully, which led to a decline in the system’s predictive performance. Although improvements have been made since then, this example illustrates how enhancements in one area can cause failures in another. Therefore, it seems like we gain by losing, and often lose by gaining. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Facts and fake news coexist on social media. So do claims and counterclaims. In theory, the new communication tools of social media give them equal opportunities to express themselves. It's a communication environment, unlike anything humanity has ever known. A great way to make your voice heard in this environment is to state your beliefs and connect with the people who support those beliefs through social media. Social media will connect you with sympathetic people, no matter how illogical or unpersuasive your beliefs. Traditional media can't structurally accommodate this mechanism, but it's a reality. - Joseph's "just my thoughts"