The Invisible Editor
Every time you open TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, you aren't seeing "the world". You are seeing a tiny slice of it, curated by a mathematical formula (an Algorithm).
🎯 The Goal of the Algorithm
The algorithm has one job: To keep you on the app for as long as possible.
It doesn't care if the content is true, helpful, or kind. It only cares if it is engaging.
The Engagement Trap
(It makes you angry/scared)
(Comment, Share, or just Watch longer)
"Show them more of this!"
Result: Anger travels 6x faster online than joy.
Key Concepts
🫧 The Filter Bubble
When the algorithm only shows you opinions you already agree with. You start to think everyone thinks like you.
🕳️ The Rabbit Hole
When you click one video on a topic (e.g., "Earth is flat?") and the app keeps serving you more increasingly extreme videos.
Te Ao Māori: Kaitiakitanga o te Hinengaro
🛡️ Guardianship of the Mind
Kaitiakitanga usually refers to guarding the land. But we must also be kaitiaki (guardians) of our own hinengaro (mind) and wairua (spirit).
If the algorithm is feeding you "junk food" (hate, fear, fake news), you have the right to protect your space.
- Curate: Unfollow accounts that make you feel whack.
- Diversify: Deliberately follow people who disagree with you (respectfully).
- Disconnect: Put the phone down to reconnect with the physical world (Taiao).
Mahi: Audit Your Feed
Open your favourite social app right now. Look at the first 5 posts.