The Truth About Algo
An unpredictable voyage inside the microchipping devices of A.I.
I like to talk about Algo, trying to personify it and getting to know this A.I. reality better, because I’m really scared about it.
I already tried to dig a bit into its presence, using my aplomb and incurable optimism. But I have to tell you how disturbing the question sounds to me. I’m simply finding a way to control my fear.
Algo is a male
It’s my problem to define things and people to clear up the context and let my reasoning flow. It could be a deviant journey, but who cares nowadays?!
I think Algo is a dominant white male.
This could confound you, because yes, an algorithm is a masculine noun, but many, many, many programmers and users often use to refer to him as feminine.
Am I the only one to notice this ambivalence?
Would you identify A.I. with a male or feminine identity or boTs?
We live in a confounded society. How could Algo be sure of his/her identity?
Algo is predictable
Like many dominant white males, Algo thinks to be the bigger, most intelligent creature in the whole universe.
What could we tell him politely, without the intent of breaking his fragile identity issues?
Algo, you’re predictable.
We’ve seen how you behave. We’ve studied you. We know you’re clever, not the most clever, though.
Could you predict what’s in the mind of any single writer or reader on Medium, for example? No, you can’t.
On the other hand, we can predict what you’ll do.
Algo is your competitor
Competition is everything in modern life.
That’s why we’re all on the edge of extinction.
Any other words to add, dear Algo?
What about equally distributing your connections to writers around the globe, and gifting them with some of your pennies?
Why do you put on your black list people who disagree with your prevaricating attitude?
Do you even understand what I’m saying?
Algo prevents you from virality
Algo has got personal tastes, and as it happens in any community, it depends on him deciding the terms of your popularity.
Oh, no, you would say. It’s on readers to decide whether your article will go viral or not. The more readers, the more your popularity increases.
Well, in my opinion, Algo is rather egocentric and decides on (its) his own parameters what to make popular through a viral route or not.
I find no other reason why such an interesting article like the one by Alessandro Visintin I link here wouldn’t be super-viral otherwise.
Conclusion
Be aware Algo that I’m watching you. Try to behave well.
Your mother.