Algorithms have taken on an almost mythical significance in the modern world. They determine what you see on social media and when browsing online, help form people’s belief systems, and impact the ...

It’s hard to ignore the seismic shifts brought about by algorithm-driven content. Every time you scroll through your social media feed or check your favorite news app, algorithms are diligently at ...

In 1973, the writer Arthur C. Clarke formulated an adage meant to capture the relationships humans were building with their machines: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from ...

Today’s young adults are the first generation to grow up entirely within a digital world shaped by algorithms. According to Pew Research, 84% of U.S. young adults (ages 18 to 29) use at least one ...

Social media were designed to maximize attention even if this means minimizing civility. Digital natives have every advantage in terms of affluence and opportunities. Yet, no generation has ever been ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Imagine a town with two widget merchants. Customers prefer cheaper widgets, so the merchants must compete to set the lowest price.