Conventional broadcast media such as TV or radio can't get real-time feedback on the user's attention/preferences/behavior nor can it deliver uniquely-personalized content to each individual user. The "best" it could do is provide an average form of content that is likely to be appealing to the majority of their user base and would be subject to scrutiny as everyone can see what is broadcast.
In contrast, modern media not only knows much more about the user and their behavior but can fine-tune each individual expereince in real-time to maximize view time and "engagement" per-user without any oversight as it is impossible for a watchdog to see what each individual user is presented with. This is much more dangerous as the content can be fine-tuned based on each user's individual profile and weaknesses/addictions.
Re:We need to reclaim our attention
by daniel-cussen on Sunday January 02, 2022 @11:14AM
(#29769944)
Documents, radio, television, internet, social media. Baby steps.
Re:We need to reclaim our attention
by __MatrixMan__ on Sunday January 02, 2022 @11:28AM
(#29770075)
Towards what? The loss of individual agency and the creation of some kind of collective organism?
Maybe there will be a time for that, but I'm thinking that if we let it happen now, that organism will be an idiot.
Dr Andrew Huberman, professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford, does some excellent lecture-like podcasts on the subject that are well worth a listen.