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Comment by beepbooptheory | Hacker News Reader

Ok but like if this true and operative, why aren't they mobilizing their algorithmic control right at this moment when it seems like they would need it the most?

Just seems like pretty incomplete control if they can still let themselves get to this point.

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Even if they aren’t doing it, it’s just a crazy risk to run. Imagine if the biggest American newspapers were owned by Russia during the Cold War. America just wouldn’t have allowed it.

And unlike that metaphor, TikTok offers basically 0 value over replacement compared to other media. Maybe it’s even worse than other media since it’s more addictive.

I think actually very importantly to your implicit point: that is not a metaphor, its an analogy.

But either way, if my state is banning things based on their "value", on what might be "dangerous" to my thought, well, I might as well move to China! Because its the same thing there, but at least I know I can get cheap rent.

It depends on how you define "value", I guess. TikTok has become the dominant platform for this sort of thing in the US. Clearly it has value for lots of people. It doesn't really matter from an optics perspective if TikTok achieved dominance through addictive engagement practices.

Somewhat of a similar argument to say that heroin clearly has value, because people are willing to pay for it.

We had attempts to block importation of Pravda in the cold war including a deliberate chilling effect which required you to opt in. The courts rightfully struck it down. Knowing what the world is saying is important to being an informed citizen. You shouldn't believe it all uncritically of course, just like with domestic media.

Its not the tiktok users taking the risks, its our government and to me it looks like they are wilding out.

> Ok but like if this true and operative, why aren't they mobilizing their algorithmic control right at this moment when it seems like they would need it the most? Just seems like pretty incomplete control if they can still let themselves get to this point

They did try: https://gizmodo.com/tiktok-activates-army-of-u-s-tweens-to-s...

"TikTok sent a push notification to United States users on Thursday morning asking them to call their local representative to “Stop a TikTok shutdown.” The app refers to a bipartisan bill gaining momentum in Congress this week which could ban TikTok altogether."

A push notification bypasses the recommendation algorithm entirely.

They are.

Do you see the dissonance in this response, or no?

Algorithmic control doesn't mean mind control - it works best when attention isn't directly drawn to it. It's also hard to "algorithmic control" your way out of a lawsuit when public opinion doesn't change the outcome.

And if you're talking about public opinion, just look down this thread - most people are against this action, not for it.

This makes sense but I guess I thought public opinion would make a difference here because USA is a democracy and everything. That's at least from my understanding what is supposed to distinguish the USA from China.

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