Algospeak: Jailbreaking the Marketplace of IdeasBy Amaris AloiseSocial media algorithms have become the captors of the marketplace of ideas, but they have also captured its importance to US culture. [4] It is equally clear, however, that consumers want to engage in the marketplace of ideas, even if those ideas contain sensitive or widely contested topics that might be filtered by algorithmic content watch dogs. [7] Indeed, even after algorithms adapt to algospeak, users create new phrases to escape detection, thus highlighting users’ deep desire to facilitate and engage in the dissemination of ideas. It can cause users to misinterpret ideas, places undue emphasis on ideas, and even impedes the discussion of ideas deemed acceptable by platforms. Algospeak serves as a case study of the importance of counterspeech, the enduring need for the marketplace of ideas in US culture, and the harms that persist despite content-based regulations on speech.

Source: Washington Post March 09, 2024 01:19 UTC