The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

Algorithms and the Threats to Democracy

Sep 17, 2020

Yaël Eisenstat, a visiting fellow at Cornell Tech and former Elections Integrity Head for Political Ads at Facebook, discusses the threats that social media poses to democracy. She highlights how algorithms prioritize engagement over integrity, leading to divisive content that undermines civil discourse. Yaël also stresses the importance of regulatory reform in social media to combat misinformation. The conversation delves into TikTok's engagement strategies and the unsettling realities of digital manipulation in electoral processes.

01:02:02

Episode guests

Yaël Eisenstat

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

ByteDance's Bid and Geopolitical Implications

6min

The Power of Signal Liquidity in TikTok

4min

The Dangerous Allure of Engagement Algorithms

6min

Integrity and Influence in Digital Democracy

15min

Accountability in Social Media Regulation

19min

The Value of Mentorship and Creative Tools

4min

The Fluidity of Time in Parenting

4min

Yaël Eisenstat, a visiting fellow at Cornell Tech's Digital Life Initiative and former Elections Integrity Head for Political Ads at Facebook, joins Scott to discuss the online threats to democracy and the damaging role Facebook plays in our elections. Yaël has also served as a CIA officer and White House advisor. Follow her on Twitter, @YaelEisenstat.

Scott opens with his thoughts on TikTok’s powerful algorithm and why he does not think the deal with Oracle will go through.

Algebra of Happiness: There’s no such thing as quality time. There’s just time.

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