Sunday, October 6, 2013

Customization and The Internet


Every decision we make online is recorded and thus traceable by hackers and the websites we are spending our time on. Web browsers such as Google customize its results for its various distinct users. As seen in one of the videos online, a man discusses his use of Google with his friends. He and his friends searched the query of ‘Egypt’ and ended up with different results, indicative of the aforementioned customization feature. The same individual who discussed his use of Google with his friends goes on to discuss his Facebook newsfeed. Initially, his newsfeed consisted of posts from liberals and conservatives. However, as time went by his newsfeed was primarily dominated by liberal posts due to the fact that he consistently liked and commented on them. Facebook like Google customizes its users experience according to their preferences. For example, if I liked a Bodybuilding page on Facebook I am likely to see ads promoting products related to the sport of Bodybuilding. This customization obviously has its setbacks, as the man goes on to state that he would like to see both spectrums of politics in his newsfeed. Facebook and Google do not do justice to individuals like me who desire an objective view on things, yet are presented a customized version of what’s really out there.      

2 comments:

  1. You explained the issue very well and I understand what you're talking about, but as a reader im not engaged because we agree. I would say to leave the reader with a question for discussion, so you can see how you and your readers are similar

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  2. Very interesting point about how the ads we see are customized to our "likes" on Facebook. The same thing applies to your video history on Youtube and other websites too. Personally, I find it rather useful, even though it wrecks my wallet haha.

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