Thread by @pacificleo

Got this interesting info on a @WhatsApp group I am part of. Caveat: I am not sure of its authenticity but If this is the case then it means @netflix is trying to Pre-emptively solve the "Facebook" problem.

"Facebook Problem": An unintended side effect of your product related choices because of which a platform /aggregator is held responsible for the action of the user . And where platform /aggregator insist that user had option and agency to act otherwise.

Exhibit A: Binge-Watching on @netflix Exhibit B: Filter Bubble of Google and Facebook.

however, what @netflix is doing is a double edge sword for them. Because the strategy of fine-tuning recommendations, if done right will eventually cultivate the same binge watching behavior.

And When they will get into Daily News (They will, Its a matter of "WHEN" not "IF" ) they will be blamed for Liberal / RW bias in Algo. Classic Catch-22.

I used to be dismissive of the impact of Social Media and these aggregated recommendation systems on the state of collective discourse and general mental well being. But I was being naive. Problem is real.

But I don't think that we should hold these companies responsible for what is just an unintended side effect. However, I believe that some kind of intervention and oversight should be there.

Let's see what we can learn from other industries who faced similar challenges.

SODA makers were forced to standardize the serving size because data shows that people take the same number of servings per meal irrespective of the size. So smaller size lesser consumption lesser side effect.

Should we have similar rules for the duration of an Episode on Netflix? I know I can't watch more than two episodes in a row . independent of time duration.

Cigarette makers were taxed heavily, were forced to do only surrogate advertisement, forced to show statutory graphic warning about Cancer on the package.

Maybe we can have some similar warning on before the shows like "Excessive binge watching of Suits can make you an annoying, insufferable jerk"

The best example is from the FOOD industry. Where the FDA put guidelines in place to put ingredient and nutrition info on the package. We now evaluate everything we evaluate in the unit of calories. We know what a balance calorie diet looks like.

Unfortunately, We don't have an equivalent unit for our media diet. Labels like PG13 are more like ingredient info but AFAIK there is no system of measurement to warn the consumer about the "nutritional" impact of a media on his / her mental well being.

Kind of a calorie scale for our media intake, designed to keep our cognitive health in good shape. We desperately need this.

This service has to be built by a third party. For example, a browser extension which parses every page you visit and give cognitive impact summary of the same the moment the page loads on the screen.

I think this can work if done right. Maybe i should work on this over the weekend. Will share my first draft soon for feedback. If you have any ideas please do share.
#endofrant