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Adaptive Folk Theorization as a Path to Algorithmic Literacy on Changing Platforms

Abstract

The increased importance of opaque, algorithmically-driven social platforms (e.g., Facebook, YouTube) to everyday users as a medium for self-presentation effectively requires users to speculate on how platforms work in order to decide how to behave to achieve their self-presentation goals. This speculation takes the form of folk theorization. Because platforms constantly change, users must constantly re-evaluate their folk theories. Based on an Asynchronous Remote Community study of LGBTQ+ social platform users with heightened self-presentation concerns, I present an updated model of the folk theorization process to account for platform change. Moreover, I find that both the complexity of the user's folk theorization and their overall relationship with the platform impact this theorization process, and present new concepts for examining and classifying these elements: theorization complexity level and perceived platform spirit. I conclude by proposing a folk theorization-based path towards an extensible algorithmic literacy that would support users in ongoing theorization.

By: Michael Ann DeVito

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Notes

The growing importance of algorithmic social platforms as a medium for self-presentation requires users to speculate how platforms work to decide how to achieve self-presentation goals. This is "folk theorization."

"It is now a crucial life skill to be able to effectively use algorithmically-driven social platforms..." yet algorithmic literacy is a privilege.

Algorithmic literacy is "an exercise in mostly formailizing and correcting knowledge found in the world instead of purely introducing new knowledge." You need to always be open to questioning and adapting. Folk theories are malleable and changeable over time, compatible with the ever-changing nature of social platforms.

Paper breaks down strategies of folk theorization based on levels of literacy, explaining the overall process.

Interesting note for further study is mention of "platform spirit," which is defined as: "the users' perception of what a platform is and what it is for, as determined by the user's understanding of the platform's stated mission, its values and actions in practice over time, and the functionality which it allows as juxtaposed with the users' understanding of the platform's purpose." If the spirit is faithful, users adapt. If not, they may churn.

Study participants expressed adaptation to the algorithm as labor—also interesting considering these theories are sometimes found collectively.

Unfaithful platform spirits can also lead to unfaithful adaptation to the algorithm—like "gaming the system" with ill intent.