How Algorithms Make Us Feel Bad and Weird

About this episode

The episode explores how social media algorithms affect emotions and discusses a satirical AI tool related to open source software.

This week Sam unpacks how social media algorithms manipulate our emotions around everything from engagement rings to wedding dresses to babies, and what it feels like getting lost in the #Weddingtok sauce, and Emanuel breaks down a satirical but functional AI tool that rips off open source software. There’s a long history in “clean room” software that’s really interesting. In the section for subscribers at the Supporter level, Jason walks us through “tokenmaxxing” and startups obsessed with spending as much money as possible on AI—and as little as possible on humans. Listen to the weekly podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Become a paid subscriber for access to this episode's bonus content and to power our journalism. If you become a paid subscriber, check your inbox for an email from our podcast host Transistor for a link to the subscribers-only version! You can also add that subscribers feed to your podcast app of choice and never miss an episode that way. The email should also contain the subscribers-only unlisted YouTube link for the extended video version too. It will also be in the show notes in your podcast player. I Almost Lost My Mind in the Bridal Algorithm…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sam, Jason

Guest: Emanuel

Topics covered

• social media algorithms
• emotional manipulation
• AI tools
• open source software
• wedding culture
• startup funding

Keywords

• algorithms
• emotions
• social media
• AI
• open source
• wedding
• startups

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Transistor, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, megaphone.fm

Products: AI tool

Books & works: #Weddingtok

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