Thread by Edward Hunter Christie
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- Mar 30, 2023
- #Politics #SocialMedia
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1-8
Excellent that Pekka has included Russell Brand in his series.
But Brand's evolution carries broader lessons. He went from more-or-less typical left-alternative guy to Vatnik Soup Laureate, but why? I think YouTube is largely to blame, in this case and other cases too.
Excellent that Pekka has included Russell Brand in his series.
But Brand's evolution carries broader lessons. He went from more-or-less typical left-alternative guy to Vatnik Soup Laureate, but why? I think YouTube is largely to blame, in this case and other cases too.
2-8
Brand makes his living in the online public square, notably through his massive YouTube channel. He is a so-called influencer. But is he an influencer, or is he the one being influenced - by the algo, by armies of trolls, by bots, by dark forces?
Brand makes his living in the online public square, notably through his massive YouTube channel. He is a so-called influencer. But is he an influencer, or is he the one being influenced - by the algo, by armies of trolls, by bots, by dark forces?
3-8
Brand was always political. But then he tried to talk to wider audiences. The moment he chose dialogue with right-wing rebels was the moment that he started to explore what left-alternative views and right-alternative views have *in common*.
Brand was always political. But then he tried to talk to wider audiences. The moment he chose dialogue with right-wing rebels was the moment that he started to explore what left-alternative views and right-alternative views have *in common*.
4-8
And that's when the downward spiral of nonsense began. And, I suspect, one strongly boosted by his online experiences. Because the algo rewards that kind of spiral. It generates more engagement, more clicks, more likes, and more money.
And that's when the downward spiral of nonsense began. And, I suspect, one strongly boosted by his online experiences. Because the algo rewards that kind of spiral. It generates more engagement, more clicks, more likes, and more money.
5-8
Every extremist network inside the West, and every hostile foreign power (esp. Russia) that wants to dismantle the cohesion of Western societies, understands how this works. Platforms like YouTube are so easy to leverage for bad purposes.
Every extremist network inside the West, and every hostile foreign power (esp. Russia) that wants to dismantle the cohesion of Western societies, understands how this works. Platforms like YouTube are so easy to leverage for bad purposes.
6-8
Try to create subtle, impartial content, and you'll struggle. There are many accounts with high-quality, highly informative, indeed authoritative content - with videos getting a dozen views or a few hundred at best.
Try to create subtle, impartial content, and you'll struggle. There are many accounts with high-quality, highly informative, indeed authoritative content - with videos getting a dozen views or a few hundred at best.
7-8
But it is easy to create multiple profiles, to stay anonymous and massively like & subscribe. Imagine large organized state-led teams of thousands of people working full-time, in shifts, every day of the week, advised by experts who study the algos as deeply as possible.
But it is easy to create multiple profiles, to stay anonymous and massively like & subscribe. Imagine large organized state-led teams of thousands of people working full-time, in shifts, every day of the week, advised by experts who study the algos as deeply as possible.
8-8
I suspect Brand is an influenced opportunist with no sense of social or political responsibility. His online success will have gone to his head. But it pays and "success" provides confirmation bias.
And it shows how dangerous unregulated social media platforms are.
I suspect Brand is an influenced opportunist with no sense of social or political responsibility. His online success will have gone to his head. But it pays and "success" provides confirmation bias.
And it shows how dangerous unregulated social media platforms are.
