As we enter 2025, I’ve been thinking about how much of our world is shaped by forces we don’t see – not by truth or shared experiences, but by lines of code written to keep us engaged.
Algorithms decide more than just the ads we see or the next song in our playlist. They quietly shape the world around us – from the headlines we read to the very words politicians say.
Every time you open your phone, the algorithm is already at work – deciding the first post you’ll see, the ad that pops up, and even the politician’s soundbite you’ll hear before you’ve had your morning coffee.
I started noticing it not just in the news I read, but in the way I felt after scrolling – tense, frustrated, and disconnected. Even the conversations I had with friends felt shaped by whatever headline the algorithm decided we should talk about that day.
Think about it:
- The News You See – Algorithms filter news based on what will keep you scrolling, not what will make you informed.
- Your Social Media Feed – Posts that trigger anger, fear, or outrage are promoted because they generate the most engagement.
- Entertainment Choices – The shows, movies, and songs that show up in your queue are curated to fit your preferences, keeping you predictable – and on the platform.
- Politics – Politicians shape their speeches for viral moments, carefully crafting them to fit what the algorithm rewards.
- Advertising, Relationships, and Jobs – Every online interaction is quietly nudged by invisible lines of code predicting what you’ll click, buy, and believe. Even who you are in the “eyes” of the alogorithm.
It’s easy to think politicians lead the conversation – but in reality, they’re following the algorithm.
Politicians aren’t just victims of the algorithm – they play to it. They’ve learned that fiery soundbites and controversy spread faster than policy discussions, so that’s what they give us.
But here’s the thing – 2025 doesn’t have to be another year we let algorithms continue to control us.
It can be the year we leave them behind.
Algorithms reflect what we react to. We determine that. An if we react differently, the code writers will change the code.
The reality is that we are the true code writers – if we choose to be.
I used to get caught up in it – the cycle of reacting, arguing, and feeling righteous online. But the more I stepped back, the more I realized I wasn’t changing minds, I was fueling the fire and just exhausting myself.
Every time you ignore a divisive post or choose not to share outrage, you take power back. One small shift at a time – that’s how we break the cycle.
Imagine if politicians realized that cooperation and bridge-building got them further than outrage and blame.
Imagine if algorithms prioritized truth, empathy, and progress because that’s what we demanded.
We have more power than we realize.
Imagine if, instead of arguing online, we sat down for lunch with someone we disagree with. Imagine if we listened more than we posted, called more than we texted, and shared ideas instead of attacks.
There’s no algorithm pushing anger over a cup of coffee with an old friend. No trending topics at a family dinner table. The quietness of those moments feels more real than anything we’ve read online.
The more we step away from the algorithm’s pull, the more we remind ourselves – and the world – that we are not as divided as the algorithm wants us to believe.
Imagine a world where the most viral content isn’t driven by anger, but by hope. Where politicians rise by building bridges, not burning them.
The cracks in this system are already showing. People are tired of the noise. More of us are stepping back, seeking connection over conflict.
2025 can be the year we rewrite the code.
Happy New Year!
Warmly,
Jerry
There was a terrific movie, c. 1972, starring Peter Boyle and Robert Redford, as a campaign consultant and a dark horse candidate. Even 52 years ago, and before (and since), politicians craft their messages to garner votes, as you suggest. Policy just ain’t popular (as Hilary learned in 1993 and again in 2016).
I’ve just started reading Nexus, Yuval Noah Harari’s book about information networks. When I get a little further along, let’s grab a cup of coffee and dig into this idea of disengaging from the manipulation. For 25 years, my dad was an ad man, and a successful one at that. When he decided he wanted to pull back from media, manipulation, and messaging, he went whole hog and became a music teacher. I hold him as an exemplar of examining the world and choosing how he preferred to engage.
I remember the movie. I believe it was called “the candidate.” It ended with Redford shocked that he won, and asking his handlers “What do I do now?” or something like that.
As we know from previous conversations, America invented the art of marketing and deception. Hilter sent people to America in the 1930’s to learn the art. The world needs so many more people like your dad today, who don’t sell out and do the right thing. It seems the only way to do that today is exit politics, and not even try. Very sad!