Algorithms and the future of human communication | Dr. Elena Esposito #46

Algorithms are everywhere. It's likely that one brought you to this video. And, depending on whether or not you like this episode, it might bring this video to someone else who will enjoy it, or the algorithm could crash it right into the place where content goes to die--or to be eaten like Stephen King's Langoliers. Let's hope that you enjoy it enough that it can stay amongst the living. Our guest this week Dr. Elena Esposito, and she has written a fantastic book that studies algorithms and their impact on communication. The title of her book is Artificial Communication: How Algorithms Produce Social Intelligence (Strong Ideas). In this episode, we talk about how algorithms preserve a kind of immortality, our enjoyment of the muddiness and work that goes into human communication, and we even bring Nietzsche into the discussion as well. This is a fantastic episode with an amazing guest. Make sure you feed the algorithmic gods by liking the video, subscribing to the podcast, and leaving a kind, thoughtful comment. Enjoy the episode.

// EPISODE LINKS //
Dr. Esposito's Book: https://amzn.to/3MG0NSP

// EPISODE OUTLINE //

00:00 Teaser
00:18 Introduction
01:57 Beginning of conversation
03:40 Isn't the ability to communicate a sign of intelligence?
06:35 Why is beginning our study of communication with the listener so important?
14:19 The work that we need to put into our communication with another human is valuable
20:59 Why are lists so powerful when it comes to data and algorithms?
23:44 How do algorithms use distance reading?
26:31 Is there a problem with data dictating literary canon? Yes, I think so.
31:42 We have a Nietzsche sighting, so we must explore it.
32:00 Does anyone appreciate my Debbie joke? No? I understand.
32:36 Is the imperishability of data on the web a Faustian agreement for immortality?
35:32 Personal story about teacher certification back in 2003-04, I think.
41:01 Business communication through algorithms has its own problems
43:01 What should we be mindful of from your study?
44:18 Where can people learn more about your work?
45:25 Closing thoughts

// LINK TREE WITH PODCAST AND SOCIALS //
https://linktr.ee/neutralgroundpodcast

Would you like to do your part to help bring civility back to our conversations? We need to get The Neutral Ground message in front of more people, and you can help with just a few keystrokes and some clicks of a mouse.
1) Start by hitting the subscribe button and turning on notifications.
2) Then, hit the like button.
3) Leave a thoughtful/uplifting comment for others to engage with.
4) Watch another video on the channel.
5) Share the channel or a video with someone else on your social media accounts
6) Head over to my website at https://theneutralgroundpodcast.com/Once on the website, you can actually go to the contact section and leave an audio comment for me to use on the podcast.
7) You can also subscribe to the podcast on any one of the following platforms as well: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Joemeyer.substack.com

I realize that you do not have to do any of this. Therefore, even f you do just one of those items listed, I am genuinely grateful. Try to keep one foot firmly planted on the Neutral Ground, and have a great day. #algorithms #data #humanity #neutralGroundpodcast #elenaesposito