In today's world, where every click and like is under the close scrutiny of algorithms, sometimes we wish to return to the past. For this reason, I decided to turn off social media algorithms for a full day and see if I could somehow travel back to 2012, when the internet felt more like a public square than a commercial marketplace.
An Unforgettable Experience
At the beginning of this experience, I happily encountered a video where a woman randomly poured a bucket of eels onto a Chinese train. Watching this scene, where passengers interacted calmly with the eels, gave me a strange feeling. Clearly, this type of content had no algorithmic measurement or filter and directly related to human experiences.
Recently, the Australian government announced that it would introduce "world-leading" reforms that would allow users to opt out of algorithms. This initiative, known as "My Feed, My Way," represents a significant shift in the approach to social media. Could these reforms enable users to access genuine, non-commercial content again?
Returning to Happier Days
These reforms clearly reflect a deep need in society; users are seeking a return to more human and natural experiences. This policy change could mean the end of annoying advertisements and filtered content that is constantly displayed. Are we ready to break free from the control of algorithms and return to the real world?
Ultimately, these changes can remind us that social media should be a space for genuine communication and human experiences, not just a tool for selling products and services. Can these reforms help us return to those happier days?
