The Data Fix with Dr. Mél Hogan Predictable, with José Marichal
Dec 22, 2025
José Marichal, a professor of political science and author, dives into the transformative influence of algorithms on public discourse and personal identity. He explores how the 2016 election unveiled the deep impact of recommendation systems, making us more predictable as we optimize for algorithmic engagement. Their discussion touches on the dangers of algorithmic clustering, the shift from explanation to prediction, and the relationship between AI and democratic processes. José emphasizes the need for a socio-technical contract, urging us to reclaim our agency in a data-driven world.
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Algorithms Reshape Who We Are
- Recommendation algorithms reshape our discourse and ontology by making public conversation predictable.
- José Marichal argues we must renegotiate our socio-technical contract to recover plurality and curiosity.
Predictability As A Comfortable Trap
- People become more predictable because algorithms reward lowered 'error' and stable brands.
- That predictability offers comfort but stultifies curiosity, growth, and multitudinal selves.
Hidden Clusters, Visible Individuality
- Clustering by opaque algorithmic categories hides group membership and limits reflection.
- Users perceive recommendations as individualized while being steered into unseen groups.