Deep Questions with Cal Newport Ep. 372: Decoding TikTok’s Algorithm
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Sep 29, 2025 Discover the intricate workings of TikTok's algorithm and why its control is crucial for national interests. Delve into the implications of machine-learned recommenders, which can amplify human impulses without encoding values. Explore whether U.S. oversight can truly address social media's ethical challenges and learn why TikTok isn't the best for news. Plus, Cal offers practical tips on parenting amidst digital dangers and shares reflections on crafting a balanced life away from algorithmic distractions.
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Format + Engineering Explain TikTok's Edge
- TikTok succeeds because short videos produce massive, fast feedback and ByteDance optimized real-time retraining.
- The platform mixes user profiles with trending items to quickly discover new interests.
Algorithms Learn Us, Warts And All
- Machine-learning recommenders model user behaviour blindly and will capture both bright and dark human impulses.
- They do not embed ethical guardrails or human values by design.
Ownership Changes Won't Fix The Core Problem
- Don't expect changing ownership or operators to fix the fundamental harms of algorithmic curation.
- Treat governance and national security changes as insufficient to address value-free recommendation dynamics.
