Algorithms are already our bosses
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The document discusses how online creators and other independent workers are effectively managed by algorithms instead of people. The algorithms that power platforms like YouTube and determine content recommendations act like a boss, but they are described as a "toxic boss" that holds unclear and changing expectations, compensates workers inconsistently, promotes unrelated content, and can negatively impact workers' careers without feedback. The document argues that to be successful, workers need to find ways to connect with audiences outside of algorithms through more direct methods like email lists and their own sites/apps, so the algorithms don't have complete control over their ability to do their work and reach people.
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Algorithms are already our bosses
- 2. @talraviv talraviv.org I work at Patreon so i get to meet a lot of online creators.
- 3. @talraviv talraviv.org online creators are fascinating people they are basically living in the future
- 4. @talraviv talraviv.org online creators have audiences I love asking creators how their fans discovered them Every story is delightful and unique
- 5. @talraviv talraviv.org with one major similarity
- 6. @talraviv talraviv.org Theres always a discovery platform involved Youtube M edium Twitch Spotify Twitter Facebook Instagram Soundcloud napchatterestdin
- 7. @talraviv talraviv.org The discovery platform is the destination person arrives at platform & told what to consume
- 8. @talraviv talraviv.org In the middle is a recommendation algorithm
- 10. @talraviv talraviv.org What does the algorithm want •What drives the business? Ad revenue
- 11. @talraviv talraviv.org What does the algorithm want •What drives the business? Ad revenue •What drives ad revenue? People looking at stuff
- 12. @talraviv talraviv.org What does the algorithm want •What drives the business? Ad revenue •What drives ad revenue? People looking at stuff •What gets people to look at stuff? Content that makes people look at stuff for a long time, or makes people come back often, or both
- 13. @talraviv talraviv.org What the algorithm doesnt really care about •Who clicked “subscribe” to you
- 14. @talraviv talraviv.org What the algorithm doesnt really care about •Who clicked “subscribe” to you •Whether a fan wants to see your content today
- 15. @talraviv talraviv.org What the algorithm doesnt really care about •Who clicked “subscribe” to you •Whether a fan wants to see your content today •Ideas that are good and important but may not be popular
- 16. @talraviv talraviv.org You dont have to understand tech or robot psychology
- 17. @talraviv talraviv.org You just have to understand the incentives
- 18. @talraviv talraviv.org This brings me back to online creators
- 20. @talraviv talraviv.org but they all have a boss that boss is an algorithm
- 22. @talraviv talraviv.org they have a boss
- 23. @talraviv talraviv.org and here’s the thing:
- 24. @talraviv talraviv.org it’s not a good boss.
- 25. @talraviv talraviv.org would you want to work for someone who
- 26. @talraviv talraviv.org holds unclear expectations of you that change over time (and you have to figure them out from rumors or coworkers) https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/30/16222850/youtube-google- brain-algorithm-video-recommendation-personalized-feed
- 27. @talraviv talraviv.org compensates you inconsistently, on factors outside your control https://influencermarketinghub.com/4-factors- affect-youtube-earnings-potential/
- 28. @talraviv talraviv.org promotes people unrelated to their contribution “How the Youtube algorithm created Logan Paul” Jarvis Johnson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GYXemlyd_Q
- 30. @talraviv talraviv.org expects you to work while on vacation or sick https://creatoracademy.youtube.com/page/lesson/trendsetter#strategies-zippy-link-1 http://techtipswithtea.com/youtube-tips/consistency-really-matter-youtube/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVJ6Gp6L6rA
- 32. @talraviv talraviv.org holds power by being deeply embedded in the business and institutional knowledge and so can never get fired because it’s not worth it and no one has the courage or will to do it
- 33. @talraviv talraviv.org if i was thinking about a job
- 34. @talraviv talraviv.org and this was what i heard
- 37. @talraviv talraviv.org the algorithm is a toxic boss
- 40. @talraviv talraviv.org thats one reason why i think creators live in the future they are the canaries in the coal mines
- 42. @talraviv talraviv.org and its more than content creators many more of us work for algorithms
- 43. @talraviv talraviv.org uber and lyft drivers
- 44. @talraviv talraviv.org uber and lyft drivers etsy makers
- 45. @talraviv talraviv.org uber and lyft drivers etsy makers amazon sellers
- 46. @talraviv talraviv.org uber and lyft drivers etsy makers amazon sellers thumbtack professionals
- 47. @talraviv talraviv.org uber and lyft drivers etsy makers amazon sellers thumbtack professionals airbnb hosts
- 48. @talraviv talraviv.org uber and lyft drivers etsy makers amazon sellers thumbtack professionals airbnb hosts all work for algorithms
- 49. @talraviv talraviv.org we keep talking about future AI overlords
- 50. @talraviv talraviv.org we keep talking about future AI overlords but we already hired them to be our bosses
- 51. @talraviv talraviv.org so what do you do
- 52. @talraviv talraviv.org when you want to create
- 53. @talraviv talraviv.org and you have a toxic AI overlord boss
- 54. @talraviv talraviv.org be antifragile* *a term and a book by Nasim Taleb. My favorite non-fiction book ever. I keep it on my nightstand. I’m not joking
- 55. @talraviv talraviv.org how to be antifragile enjoy the upside •use the platforms to reach an audience and get discovered
- 56. @talraviv talraviv.org how to be antifragile enjoy the upside •use the platforms to reach an audience and get discovered •that’s uh, the upside
- 57. @talraviv talraviv.org how to be antifragile cap your downside •the downside comes when you want to reach your viewers but you can’t without adulterating your content or following orders from the algorithm
- 58. @talraviv talraviv.org how to be antifragile cap your downside •the downside comes when you want to reach your viewers but you can’t without adulterating your content or following orders from the algorithm •always make sure you can reach your fans even at times when it doesn't benefit the algorithm (more on this in a bit)
- 59. @talraviv talraviv.org use the platforms to get discovered
- 60. @talraviv talraviv.org direct decentralized ways to maintain contact
- 61. @talraviv talraviv.org collect emails collect phone numbers collect mailing address host an online community build your own app whatever is most natural to your audience
- 62. @talraviv talraviv.org so you don’t have to fake things like this
- 63. @talraviv talraviv.org in order to achieve this
- 64. @talraviv talraviv.org (btw thanks to everyone who joined through that post and didn’t unfriend me)
- 68. @talraviv talraviv.org guess what im gonna ask you for now
- 70. @talraviv talraviv.org which is obvious because youre still clicking
- 72. @talraviv talraviv.org the most dependable way to hear about the next one
- 73. @talraviv talraviv.org is to leave your email
- 74. @talraviv talraviv.org so i can spam you
- 75. @talraviv talraviv.org with lots of emails
- 77. @talraviv talraviv.org that is my promise to you
- 81. @talraviv talraviv.org this interaction will be like a fleeting glance on the subway
- 82. @talraviv talraviv.org but theres no craigslist missed connections for content
- 83. @talraviv talraviv.org oh wait theres google search
- 84. @talraviv talraviv.org thats an algorithm too though