The Feel of Algorithms

The Feel of Algorithms explores why we feel excited, afraid, and frustrated by algorithms by combining first-person accounts with social science research. It argues that personal anecdotes are an important source of algorithmic knowledge and that taking everyday algorithmic emotions seriously helps balance the discussion. It highlights how political aims and ethical tensions play out in visions, practices, and emotional responses, and calls for alternatives that are currently ignored or suppressed.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

The emotional experiences associated with algorithms are a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that have been the subject of increasing research in recent years. This research seeks to understand how people interact with and perceive algorithms, and how these interactions shape their emotional well-being and behavior.

One reason why people may feel excited, afraid, or frustrated by algorithms is that they are often associated with new and unfamiliar technologies. As humans, we are naturally resistant to change, and the introduction of algorithms can be seen as a threat to our way of life. This fear can manifest in various ways, such as anxiety, paranoia, or even hostility towards algorithms.

Another reason for emotional reactions to algorithms is that they can have a significant impact on our daily lives. Algorithms are used in a wide range of applications, from social media and search engines to healthcare and transportation. These algorithms can influence our decisions, perceptions, and behaviors, and can have both positive and negative consequences. For example, algorithms used in social media platforms can promote echo chambers and filter out information that challenges our beliefs, while algorithms used in healthcare can help diagnose and treat diseases.

However, the emotional experiences associated with algorithms can also be positive. For example, many people find joy and excitement in using social media platforms, which allow them to connect with others and share their experiences. Similarly, algorithms used in music streaming services can introduce people to new music and genres that they may not have heard before.

The emotional experiences associated with algorithms are influenced by a range of factors, including individual differences, cultural norms, and societal attitudes towards technology. For example, younger people may be more likely to feel excited or engaged with algorithms because they are more familiar with technology and have grown up with it. In contrast, older people may be more likely to feel anxious or skeptical about algorithms because they may have more experience with the negative consequences of technology.

Overall, the emotional experiences associated with algorithms are a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that require careful consideration and analysis. By understanding how people interact with and perceive algorithms, we can develop more effective and ethical algorithms that benefit society as a whole.

The Feel of Algorithms is a novel book that explores the emotional experiences associated with algorithms and their impact on our lives. The book brings together first-person accounts of people's experiences with algorithms, alongside interdisciplinary social science research, to reveal how political and economic processes are felt in the everyday.

One of the key insights of the book is that personal anecdotes are an important source of algorithmic knowledge. Minna Ruckenstein argues that we get to know algorithms by feeling their actions and telling stories about them. By taking everyday algorithmic emotions seriously, we can balance the current discussion, which tends to draw conclusions based on celebratory or oppositional responses to imagined future effects.

The book focuses on experiences of pleasure, fear, and irritation, highlighting how political aims and ethical tensions play out in visions, practices, and emotional responses. It shows that feelings aid in recognizing troubling practices, and also calls for alternatives that are currently ignored or suppressed.

One of the strengths of The Feel of Algorithms is its ability to bring the emotional experiences of algorithms to life. The book includes a range of first-person accounts from individuals who have experienced algorithms in different contexts, such as social media, healthcare, and transportation. These accounts provide a relatable and humanizing perspective on the impact of algorithms on our lives.

However, the book also raises important concerns about the potential risks and harms associated with algorithms. For example, algorithms used in social media platforms can promote echo chambers and filter out information that challenges our beliefs, while algorithms used in healthcare can lead to biased diagnoses and treatment.

To address these concerns, The Feel of Algorithms calls for a more nuanced and empathetic approach to the development and regulation of algorithms. It advocates for a shift towards transparency and accountability in the design and implementation of algorithms, as well as for the development of ethical guidelines and standards for the use of algorithms in different industries.

In conclusion, The Feel of Algorithms is a valuable contribution to the growing field of research on the emotional experiences of algorithms. The book provides a nuanced and empathetic perspective on the impact of algorithms on our lives, and calls for a more ethical and responsible approach to their development and regulation. By taking everyday algorithmic emotions seriously, we can balance the current discussion and develop algorithms that benefit society as a whole.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 210 x 140 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520394551