Chapter 7
These systems determine which political content users see, shaping public opinion at scale.
Recommendation Algorithms
Do you feel technology has influenced us to fall into pettiness more or less?
Probably more with the amount of rude/hate comments that circulate on the internet and how confident people feel behind a screen.
Should attention be regulated like a public resource?
Williams suggests attention should be treated as a public good.
Platforms reward content that makes users feel this, which keeps them scrolling.
Outrage
Public Relations
Jeffrey Aguilar
About 8 months before the 2016 election Donald Trumps' tweets captured almost $______ worth of free or "earned" media coverage.
2 Billion Dollars
Do you feel technology has influenced us to value short-term or long-term goals more?
Probably short-term goals
Is distraction actually a threat to human freedom?
Williams believes protecting attention is essential for preserving freedom.
According to Williams, platforms measure success by this “currency” of the attention economy
Engagement
Sociology
Rhys Jackson
Democracy depends not just on free speech, but on this underlying condition that makes meaningful choice possible.
Integrity of Attention
The imbalance between users and large tech companies creates this unequal struggle.
Asymmetry of Power
Do you think individuals are responsible for their distraction, or should tech companies be blamed?
Williams claims personal willpower is not enough to resist digital distraction.
Endless feeds and autoplay are designed to create this irresistible experience.
Binge Scrolling
Independent Studies (Brand Design)
Liv Heinze
When a person is in a focus state and gets interrupted, it takes on average of _______minutes for them to regain their focus.
23 minutes
We experience our identities as stories, according to the line of thought known as ______.
Narrative Identity Theory
Is social media doing more harm than good for democracy?
Williams argues that social media platforms are harming democracy more than helping it.
Platforms can turn your focus into this, which funds their business model.
Advertising Revenue
General Studies (Human Resources Management)
Levi Roush
When engagement metrics dominate, they subtly determine this democratic function once guided by public reasoning.
Agenda-setting
Williams suggests that we must rethink not only tools but the underlying this that guides technological creation.
Design Philosophy (or Ethical Framework)
Should governments step in to regulate how tech platforms are designed?
Williams calls for redesigning technology to align with higher-order human goals.
Williams says when platforms control what we see, they decide this for us.
What Deserves Attention
Communications (PR)
Camryn Johnson