The Old Way
What happens when algorithms decide what you see, and what it means for the things you rely on.
Most of what you see online is chosen for you. Not by editors, not by your friends, not by the people who made it — by systems designed to keep you looking at the screen for as long as possible. That is not a conspiracy. It is a business model, and it shapes everything. Cory Doctorow, 2023
This section explains, in plain terms, how that model works and what it costs — not in money, but in the quality of what gets made. It also explains what you can do about it, which is more than you might think.
The sections below are being written. When complete, they will cover:
- How an ad-supported feed decides what you see
- What happens to content when attention is the product
- What this costs you (not money — attention and trust)
- Who benefits from you not thinking about this
- The alternative you already have access to
Each section is short, jargon-free, and grounded in concrete examples rather than abstract arguments. The evidence behind these claims is collected in the evidence.