Ep. 372: Decoding TikTok’s Algorithm

Last week, it was announced that Oracle would take over operation of TikTok in the US. One of the primary reasons proposed for this deal is that it was in national interests for us to take over control of TikTok’s fabled “algorithm.” But what is this algorithm? How does it work? To what extent can it be controlled? In today’s episode, Cal looks deeper at these questions and arrives at a broader philosophical point about the role these services, in general, should play in our civic culture. He then answers listener questions on the same topic and reacts to the three recent news articles about TikTok’s influence on our culture.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: Decoding TikTok’s Algorithm [0:03]

• Should I quit social media, even if I don’t live on the slope of terribleness? [44:44] • Is it bad to use TikTok to keep up with the news? [49:41] • How does quantum computing relate to AI? [53:48]

CASE STUDY: Trying to become a great composer [1:02:29]

CALL: Tips for dealing with growing kids [1:08:58]

CAL REACTS: Three Articles about TikTok (and Three Sighs of Exasperation) [1:18:04]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/ Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba? the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/tiktok-surfing-challenge-manslaughter-b2832760.html yahoo.com/news/world/article/why-people-on-tiktok-think-the-rapture-is-coming-and-that-the-world-is-ending-this-week-202334215.html bbc.com/news/articles/c4gj5lqq52lo youtube.com/watch?v=z7Df9yGofLo youtube.com/shorts/xWIVA0ZJm-w

Thanks to our Sponsors:

monarchmoney.com (Use code “DEEP”) reclaim.ai/cal wayfair.com makeheadway.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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