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Algorthmic Play - YouTube Recommendations
In order for the timeline to be clear and visible, I have altered the dates showing when the YouTube clips were accessed
The actual dates for this algorithmic were over the weekend Friday 20th - Saturday 21st March 2020 -
#1. The View (Starting Point)
This is the starting point in the Algorithmic Play.
I chose to start where I do most weekdays, with a visit to the ladies of The View. This is a daytime television programme on ABC, that discusses the 'hot topics' of the daily news.
This particularly discussion, unsurprisingly, was about the emerging Coronavirus pandemic, and President Trump's response to the crisis. Interested to see where the Algorithms take me after this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIZWPvGv88Y&t=18s -
#2. Rachel Maddow - MSNBC (Recommendation No. 2)
In keeping with the spirit of Algorthmic Play, I plumped for an option in the recommendations that 'spoke to me'. So, I chose to click on the second recommendation from the top, which was Rachel Maddow's poitical commentary show on MSNBC. Like the first clip, there was plentiful 'Trump bashing', again focusing on his mishandling of the Coronavirus crisis and Maddow explaining to her audience how he was spreading misinformation.
Gripped, I watched until the end! These algorithms are good! -
#3. Chris Hayes - MSNBC (Recommendation No. 3)
No surprises why the algorithms suggested this clip to watch... Chris Hayes is from the same network as Rachel Maddow and is also an ardent critic of President Trump. The clip outlined similar criticisms pertaining to the President's poor response, and claiming him to be at the centre of a 'leadership crisis', which interrelates with the growing public health crisis. In short, more Coronavirus, more Trump... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o77Sgd_-EsE&t=43s -
#4. 75 million Americans ordered to stay at home (Recommendation No. 3)
So the algorithms have taken me in a different direction here (albeit very slight). They have suggested a different news network - CNN, rather than MSNCB, although both are considered centre-left on the political spectrum. The algorithms haven't taken me to Fox News (yet).
The focus of the clip is still the Coronavirus outbreak, although the attention is more on what individual states are doing in their lockdown, rather than disparaging President Trump. -
#5. Governor Cuomo stopping the virus (Recommedation No. 3)
The algorithms have kept me fixed to the contemporary news story of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as within the new network, CNN. Very similar to the last clip in terms of content. -
#6. What is Bill Gates afraid of? (Recommendation No. 2)
A slight change in pace here. The algorithms have recommended a short interview with Bill Gates. In the interview Gates expresses his concern for humanity's lack of preparedness for a global pandemic, however the clip is not politically motivated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEMKudv5p0&t=60s -
#7. How wildlife trade is linked to Covid-19 (Recommendation No. 3)
The algorithms suggested this clip, as it continues to link with the coronavirus story. The clip outlined the likely link between the wild animal trade in the east Asian countries, and surmised that the emergence of the coronavirus would likely have come from close contact with bats and pangolins.
It was interesting that the algorithms suggested an news article from Vox - a liberal leaning news organisation, that often aligns with the likes of CNN and MSNBC -
#8. How southern socialites rewrote Civil War history (Recommendation No. 4)
More from Vox. This time, the ONLY suggestions in my recommended clips were Vox video clips and news stories. Very interesting that the algorithms have limited my choices here.
As an history teacher, my interest was piqued by this story of how the Daughters of the Confederacy had 're-written' much of the Southern states history to glorify the role of the south. This really articulates with the themes of the A-level history curriculum that I teach (Race Relations in the USA). -
#9. The US health system is still haunted by slavery
More Vox and more race relations! -
#10 - Why blackface is still part of the Dutch holidays
Even more Vox, and even more race relations. -
# 11. Yellowface is a bad look for Hollywood
Still on the Vox list, and still no other options in the algorithms to choose another pathway. And the algorithms are still offering clips on race relations in the USA. -
#12. How Queen got Trump to stop using their music (Recommendation 4)
Still on Vox, but linking back to Trump. Interesting story about how Queen stopped him from using their music in political rallies etc. -
#13. Kelly Anne Conway's Interview Tricks (Recommendation No. 6)
Another Vox story and still with Donald Trump. This time the clip is looking at the 'dark arts of interview technique' from Trump aide Kelly Anne Conway. Still all the options in the recommended pathway are suggesting Vox. How do I take another route? -
#14. The Rise and Fall of Rudi Guiliani (Recommendation No. 1)
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#15. What Angela Merkel's exit means for Germany and Europe (Recommendation No. 1)
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#16. How Brexit could create a crisis at the Irish border (Recommendation No. 2)
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#17. The four man made famines threatening 20million people (Recommendation No. 5)
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#18. This photograph triggered the Chinese Cultural Revolution
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#19. Still ashamed of my part in Mao's Cultural Revolution
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#20. Craziest Moments the UK General Assembly (Recommendation No. 3)
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#21. Politicians leaving their microphone on (Recommedation No. 2)
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#22. Nancy Pelosi's clapback steals Trump's show
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#23. The Late Show. Why Nancy Pelosi ripped up Trump's speech (Recommendation No. 1)
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#24. John McCain defends Barack Obama (Recommendation No. 5)
