The Algorithm Loses to A New System

When I say the algorithm, I am not just referring to the Google. In our society we have evolved to create algorithms in order to help us make decisions and choices. Some examples are when you check out Gotcha Capitalism on Amazon you will notice that on the bottom not only does an algorithm pair another book to compliment it, the algorithm even recommends books based on other’s shopping behavior. Another example is Pandora where based on your musical taste other music is recommended.

The problem arises when people rely on this algorithm and use it as a scapegoat. In the Google’s case the whole company is based on an algorithm. What happens when the algorithm looses to common sense? For example, everyone remembers the “google bomb” miserable failure that brought you to the George Bush White House page. There was another “google bomb” where if you type in “holocaust” one the first page of results there were listings from websites that claimed it never happened. Since this was brought to the Google’s attention they have cleaned up their search results. How did they do this…?? MANUAL REVIEW. Yes ladies and gentleman the same Google that uses its algorithm as a scapegoat for why legitimate sites get dropped out of their index, why they created an add network in which the quality score can’t be disputed, and the same Google that claims its algorithm delivers the most relevant results, uses manual review of their search results.

The new system is COMMON SENSE. Even the Google that relies on most of this business understands this. The danger is that so many people are blind to this and are letting “the algorithm” tell them what choices to make. They trust a formula to calculate their decisions for them. In Match.com case an algorithm even decides the perfect mate for you. Who is to say that these algorithms can’t be tweaked to serve an agenda?

This brings me to my next point. There is a new site you should know about called Select 2008 . Basically the premise of this site is that you answer a series of questions which match you up with the candidate that most suits your choices. It also allows for a community type of voting. The site claims to be non partisan, but who is to say the algorithm is non partisan? Furthermore, when you allow community voting there is a mob mentality which will influence people’s voting. Also, this site is obviously for profit with Google Ads along side. Everyone has a price, how long would it be for say the GOP to pay the site to start skewing results?

Algorithms were invented to help eliminate certain brain functions: Common Sense. Do not let Google, Amazon, Select 2008, make any decisions for you. You were born with an algorithm that is more perfect that any computer model, USE IT!