Change Your Algorithm
A few months ago, I was scrolling Facebook and clicked on a video of a person who helped lame cows. This man fixed up their hooves so that the cows could walk again.
After that one click, I began to see links and teasers to more hoof-fixer videos by the “Hoof Guy.” I ended up watching a few more of the videos. What resulted? Fixing hooves was at the top of my feed any time I opened Facebook. (You are free to laugh... ) I can’t even remember the name of this “Hoof Guy,” and I don’t want to search for him because then I’ll get him back on my feed! I committed to stop clicking on hoof videos so that they would stop infiltrating my Facebook content. (Plus, it really was a waste of time.) I needed to change my algorithm on social media!
We know that this is how the digital world works. And our browsers and social media platforms and apps are getting smarter. Our clicks, our likes, our comments, even our hovering, each add to an algorithm that constructs and presents content for us to view.
It’s possible that these long, hot days of summer have gravitated us toward our phones, and now maybe our phones, rather than us, are dictating our summer content.
I know I’m preaching to the choir here. You guys would never click on a hoof-fixer video. Haha
What I mean is, so many of you do surround yourselves with good and fruitful content.
But occasionally we click on the hoof-fixer video, or there’s undoubtedly someone in your life that could use an “examination of algorithm,” so to speak. I listened to a recent Relevant Radio clip that addressed the sad reality of social media algorithms that produce unhealthy and unrealistic content and the negative impact on self-worth, especially for our youth. As an example, could you imagine the difference in mental state of a teen whose feed is filled with misaligned beauty trends, fit checks and material influencers compared to a teen with a feed filled with a virtuous influencer that shares their passion for a particular hobby, a reflection on the Gospel of the day, or anything that encourages their positive self-worth and true identity?
Our algorithm matters.
I recently spent two days at a leadership summit for our high school senior leaders. The students were made aware that phones would be collected upon arrival and returned at departure. They all survived two days without their phones. And I would say they thrived without their phones. Several teens commented on the freedom that came without their phone. The freedom to disconnect. Step away from the algorithms. Allow the mind to wander and ponder without a story or a reel or suggested content to stifle it. Allowing their minds a necessary clarity that can only come from detaching from the noise and clutter on a device (and a healthy dose of Jesus).
Let’s examine our algorithms. Who is it or what is it that is feeding our phones and internet searches? Stepping out further, who or what is it that supplies our daily content? Our phones shouldn’t be the ones to guide us. Who and what we surround ourselves with is who we become. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
May we examine our personal algorithm. Let’s teach it to feed us more life-giving content. And hopefully we can guide others seeking to change their algorithms too.