is it just your bubble?
Been thinking about how the concept of “bubbles” and “echo chambers” can be weaponized. I think it’s very easy to say that something is a fringe position or “just happening in your bubble” when it’s not, or there’s no proof of that.
I wonder sometimes - how are algorithms simultaneously responsible for more homogenous designs and products while also claimed to show granular groups something different to the point where it doesn’t feel like they’re using the same internet? How do memes, lies and conspiracies still travel so far and wide across these supposed polarized borders? There’s gaps in the wall that are hard to fully grasp or account for. There’s still real life mixing of different online bubbles, still some common ground.
I feel certain thoughts, attitudes and feelings around tech are becoming more and more common, but it’s easy for tech optimists to dismiss that as a small % in your personal internet consumption. I’ll acknowledge that this could be the case - but something about it doesn’t sit right with me either. I feel something akin to gaslit when someone tells me that “Actually, the vast majority doesn’t care. They love it. They are not concerned. They use it all the time.”
Bad gut feeling. It’s giving off “Don’t even think about it. The others are having a good time, uncritically. You’re one of the outliers. Trust the masses. Your view is futile anyway, you’re a small cell in the organism.” in a manipulative way.
Is that really true or is it supposed to curb criticism and a rising tech fatigue? If everyone thinks that their views and feelings are only an exception to the norm in a tiny online container of their lives, how would we connect and organize for change? How would we not give up? If you truly seek it out, you’d be surprised by how much common ground you can find with others on this topic, across the ages, occupations, locations and politics.
Sure, it might only be a part of the tech savvy millennials who seek alternatives… and a part of the boomers who feel overrun with new tech… and a part of the zoomers who feel like their youth is being robbed… and a chunk of artists who feel replaced… and a chunk of software engineers that got laid off or became disillusioned… and a bit of the people who care about ecological impact and climate change… and a bit of journalists and authors, actors and writers, some anthropologists and historians, and some other fringe groups. But it’s so small. Only happens in your little bubble - don’t think anyone would care. Please don’t think anyone agrees with you. It’s just you and your raggedy lot, obviously. If it wasn’t for you meddling kids…
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Published 08 Apr, 2025