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Re:TikTok has an open computational chemistry position by otabdeveloper4 on Friday October 14, 2022 @12:59PM (#33206102)
"Making people click ads" is just applied computational sociology.

Which is a good thing, since the sociology we had before clickable ads was unequivocally less scientific and useful.

Re:TikTok has an open computational chemistry position by ggpsv on Friday October 14, 2022 @01:51PM (#33206689)
"good" and "sociology" are surely carrying a lot of weight in that statement. What does "good" mean applied in this context?

I'm not sure I see the connection to sociology though, do yo mean behavioral economics?

Re:TikTok has an open computational chemistry position by otabdeveloper4 on Friday October 14, 2022 @04:27PM (#33208438)
Advertising today is figuring out the preferences and behavioral patterns of different social groups. It's not based on economics, it's mostly stats and probability theory.
Re:TikTok has an open computational chemistry position by amelius on Friday October 14, 2022 @04:19PM (#33208384)
But the knowledge we gain is only about triggering the bad paths of human brain, like addiction, greed, FOMO, etc. And who is "we" anyway, this stuff isn't public.
Re:TikTok has an open computational chemistry position by otabdeveloper4 on Friday October 14, 2022 @04:25PM (#33208422)
No, because literally every business that exists wants to advertise. (And also organizations that aren't businesses, like NGO's and government agencies and non-profits.)
Re:TikTok has an open computational chemistry position by amelius on Friday October 14, 2022 @05:02PM (#33208758)
Well, advertising only stimulates consumption, to the detriment of our planet.

Also, it is a loudness war, that is a race to the bottom in various ways.

As an individual business owner you want it, as society you don't.

Re:TikTok has an open computational chemistry position by otabdeveloper4 on Sunday October 16, 2022 @12:25PM (#33224838)
That's like saying "money only stimulates consumption and causes pollution".

Technically it is true, but good luck on your crusade of abolishing money.