An algorithm is simply a pattern or protocol, referring to how things get done. If a Web page refere ...
An algorithm is simply a pattern or protocol, referring to how things get done. If a Web page references your personal information and past viewing habits, the algorithm or protocol will be to serve up more of the same to capture your attention. As the system selects some information for you, it ignores other information that you never get to see or consider. From the old days of journalism, a saying applies: “If it bleeds, it leads,” meaning that violent and tragic stories frequently lead the headlines, even if they are rare. The system selects these stories to get the most attention from the viewing audience. Repeated emphasis on violent stories day after day can make you perceive the world as more violent and dangerous than it really is and alter your perceptions. If one group is consistently portrayed as delinquent, violent, and/or dangerous, the viewing public can come to view them in that way, even if it is not an accurate depiction of what that same audience observes in their own community day in and day out. Since this selection process often occurs without you even knowing about it, it can limit your range of awareness—as well as your world view. Mass media is a powerful force in our lives, and the depictions and portrayals can contain subtle or overt prejudice and bias. In this Assignment, you consider this process, its impact, and how you can take steps to counter act its influence. Resources Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. WEEKLY RESOURCE To prepare for this Assignment: Read the "Communication Program Professional Writing Guidelines." Read “Code-Dependent: Pros and Cons of the Algorithm Age.” Read “How Algorithms Skew Your World View.” Watch Challenging the Algorithms of Oppression. By Day 7 Write a 2-3-page paper that addresses the following: Describe how algorithms affect media consumption. Explain how algorithms can shape your world view. Give examples of two different ways algorithms are harmful to society. Explain how you might change your own patterns of use to combat the effects of algorithms. Please Note: Be sure to reference at least one scholarly or popular source to support your answers. Questions about this Assignment? Post them in the Contact the Instructor area. That way, everyone in the class will see, and benefit from, the Instructor’s response. Submit your Word document into the assignment area. Make sure that you address the question prompts for this assignment. Refer to the Week 3 Assignment Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this grading rubric to assess your work. Anderson, J. & Rainie, L. (2017). Code-dependent: Pros and cons of the algorithm ageLinks to an external site.. The Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewinternet.org/2017/02/08/code-depend... Brooks, R. (2018). How algorithms skew your world viewLinks to an external site. [Multimedia file]. Retrieved from https://www.takeflyte.com/how-algorithms-skew-your... University of California Berkley Library. (2019). Real news/fake news: About fake newsLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/fake-news Required Media Above the Noise. (2017, May 3). Why do our brains love fake news?Links to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes. Pariser, E. (2011, March). Ed Pariser: Beware online “filter bubbles”Links to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_onlin...Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 9 minutes. Pariser, E. (2020). What obligation do social media platforms have to the greater good?Links to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 17 minutes. PdF YouTube. (2016, June 15). Sofia Noble: Challenging the algorithms of oppression Links to an external site.[Video file]. Retrieved from
