Tim Berners-Leetimbl
Sep 16, 2025, 8:39 AM"The internet needs compassion - and I have a solution."
🙏 to @EveningStandard for this extract from my new memoir 'This Is for Everyone' 📖
Replies
Sebastianbstn@social.lolSep 16, 2025, 9:15 AM@timbl
“What we have to block is not smartphones, nor even social media, but the harmful algorithms often used by social media — the psychological equivalent to giving kids access to a slot machine.” How I agree with You, sir Berners-Lee.
@EveningStandard
Stefan SchollStefan_S_from_H@mastodon.socialSep 16, 2025, 12:43 PM@bstn @timbl @EveningStandard on TikTok, the algorithm shows me cute animals because other people like the same videos I like.
If I had to search for videos of puppies and kittens by hand, I would get shown a lot of porn and spam.
Darren du Norddarren@c.imSep 16, 2025, 9:22 AM"Social media companies are using machine-learning techniques to make users addicted to their platforms. These systems are designed to be addictive, feeding people more and more extreme content, making them alternately angry and sad."
A place to begin reigning in social media algos would be to start regulating the sureveillance capitalism that powers them.
Miguel Torrellasmigtorr@mastodon.org.ukSep 16, 2025, 9:56 AM@timbl big tech wont stop using harmful algorithms because they are the most profitable, simple as
Lightlight@noc.socialSep 16, 2025, 12:50 PM@timbl If "addictive algorithms" are the problem, why are (parts of) the fediverse just as toxic?
All AP implementations I know of use a simple chronological feed.
Your point about designing algorithms to encourage constructive debate is interesting though.- Lightlight@noc.socialSep 16, 2025, 12:59 PM
@timbl Although, I think instead of countries regulating social media, you should make a social media site that implements your vision. It could even support #ActivityPub.
Sep 16, 2025, 3:42 PMSadly, the core issue is right here:
> which steered them towards healthier content
Define healthy? The hate-merchants would find some way to claim that "pointing people toward legitimate debate" is healthy... even if the "debate" is whether global warming is happening or if gay people are human. That's the same strategy the used on FB and Twitter already. They'll keep using it.
Travis F Wtravisfw@fosstodon.orgSep 16, 2025, 7:02 PM@Crell @timbl @EveningStandard Yes, people need the algorithms to be visible and configurable.
What is healthy for each individual is to have choice as to how the platform routes their information, both coming and going.
If every user had to explicitly choose to view a feed shaped to be the most addictive (instead of a reasonable alternative like just the most recent), like they might choose to walk up to a slot machine, then the problem would be minimized.
Weyoun 6weyoun6@kolektiva.socialSep 16, 2025, 4:09 PM"The most egregious symptom is polarisation."
This is false. When Group A says Group C must not be allowed to exist, and Group B says Group C must be allowed to exist, the problem is not polarization.
Sep 17, 2025, 2:18 AM@timbl you said “All we need is to regulate the addictive algorithms, the ones that guide people into rabbit holes.” But to check compliance with regulations, the source code of algorithms used by social media should be released, at least to the regulating authority. Companies can avoid regulation and accountability hiding behind intellectual property rights, trademarks and patents. Educating people to the freedom and safety of #fediverse is an alternative to regulate companies.