I have a sad realisation that "engagement" is more likely "enragement." Humans are activated best by anger. Joy? That is a big deactivator...

The algorithmic approach to the feed reminds me a model I work every day with: human perception.

Because there is an "algorithm" put between sensory perception and perception/awareness - and because the signal is highly processed - aaand the way processing is done is not available to our conscious awareness - you get all kinds of strange behaviours.

Where you cannot control how stimuli are processed and perception formed, you are for all intents and purposes manipulated, or at least denied control.

Unfortunately, any SM algo has to fit the same purpose - alter our perceptions and influence our behaviours. Guess I should delete my FB now...