American Algorithms Are Designed to Destroy Civil Society
Dance, human, dance.
I propose a new term to describe recommender systems on digital platforms, “American algorithms”.
Besides the fact that nearly all digital platforms we use in the West are owned and managed by American companies, they are primarily designed to serve the interest of MAGA America which is to destroy civil society and replace it with a technocracy governed by the Epstein class. Hear me out.
First of all, notice how social media platforms have created an environment where you can just lie. With enough celebrity status and followers, your posts will always reach a wider audience and gain more popularity than posts by those genuine, boring experts who fact-check and critique your statements. It’s really that simple. Nike’s famous slogan “Just Do It” captures the mindset of elite performers, but “Just Lie” is how you win on social media.
American algorithms on oligarch platforms are making their users dance, not out of enjoyment, but out of fears of being shot in the foot.
Think of people behind big social media accounts who feel obligated to post every day. Or workers in Amazon Fulfillment Centers or delivery carriers on apps, who run the risk of being fired by an American algorithm if they fail to meet daily quotas. Or think of Trump voters post January 6, who felt inspired to give Deranged Donnie another shot at the Office after a successful social media campaign. We can even think of the current war efforts in Iran led by Fox News host Pete Hegeseth which appears to be carefully timed with the opening and closing hours of the stock market to protect the interest of tech billionaires. Or think of children who used to play with other children, but are now posting dancing and lipsyncing videos, propaganda and awkward or strange clips to get attention from strangers and dopamine hits.
Even though American algorithms lack any form of agency or will, they have structural power stemming from their position as gatekeepers of entertainment, news, and relationships. In a sense, we are all becoming influencers. Looking for a job? Promote yourself on LinkedIn. Looking for a relationship? Make an attractive profile on dating apps. Want to know, what is really going on in the world and in culture? Sign up to X and TikTok. Want to listen to music or watch a movie? Sign up to a streaming platform. Essentially, our life’s purpose is reduced to how well we please American algorithms – unless we are born with generational wealth and status. We are no longer using devices, but becoming devices.
What can be done?
In my book Death To Algorithms, I propose that policymakers in the US reform Section 230 and policymakers in the EU enforce its digital laws against the surveillance network which underlies targeted advertisement.
More importantly, I propose we demand control of our time and attention. This is not a demand we make to platform owners, but to ourselves. American algorithms only have the power we give them. This means, if we spend our time isolated in front of screens, the Epstein class wins. However, if we choose to focus our time and attention on real-world activities and communities outside of the oligarch platforms, American algorithms have no power. Over time, I am optimistic that viable alternatives to the digital slavery we endure now will emerge, and that the digital economy will come to benefit users and creators over the Epstein class, but it requires intentionality and short-term sacrifice.