Developer creates endless Wikipedia feed to fight algorithm addiction
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Wikipedia already has a "random article" function. I guess the tiktok ui is nice for some folks.
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Does it have an algorithm of some kind?
I usually hate them but for something safe like wikipedia i would love to have it tailored to my interests.
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"I have had plenty of people message me and even make issues on my GitHub asking for some insane crazy WikiTok algorithm," Gemal told Ars. "And I had to put my foot down and say something along the lines that we're already ruled by ruthless, opaque algorithms in our everyday life; why can't we just have one little corner in the world without them?"
The developer seems staunchly anti-algorithm but I feel like some sort of filter system would work well. I know nothing about development but the same level of randomosity (it’s a word don’t look it up) but for specific topics would be amazing.
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Most "apps" are just http web hooks to a regular website backend with extra tracking telemetry. So a website working as a PWA should be enough for everyone.
I hate how everything has to be a fucking app, because it doesn't need to be.
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Apparently not:
"I have had plenty of people message me and even make issues on my GitHub asking for some insane crazy WikiTok algorithm," Gemal told Ars. "And I had to put my foot down and say something along the lines that we're already ruled by ruthless, opaque algorithms in our everyday life; why can't we just have one little corner in the world without them?"
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Are you asking if the app made specifically without an algorithm has an algorithm?
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I understand their stance but it is a bit sad because if i could tailor it to my interests i absolutely would use it all the time.
Wikipedia is massive there is way more that i don't want to read then there is that i do.
Personally i think there is roam for a “not insane,
Fully transparent and user controlled” algorithm but also that would take a lot of developer effort. -
Its not presented as being specifically made without.
There is plenty of room for more ethical algorithms and to get technical. It definitely does have a algorithm.
A very basic formula that simulates randomness to pick one Wikipedia page after the other.
I just wish i could customize that to my interests. So for example it favors articles tagged as ancient mythology and minimizes politicians from the 90s
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That's hilarious
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On android:
- Open link in Firefox.
- Tap the three dots.
- Tap "add to start screen"
There's your app!
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Its not presented as being specifically made without? Wat
Developer creates endless Wikipedia feed to fight algorithm addiction
and spend spare moments of boredom without reaching for an algorithmically addictive social media app.
without an invasive algorithm tracking you and pushing you toward the lowest-common-denominator content.
Gemal is currently resisting calls to automatically tailor the stream of articles to the user's interests based on what they express interest in.
"I have had plenty of people message me and even make issues on my GitHub asking for some insane crazy WikiTok algorithm," Gemal told Ars. "And I had to put my foot down and say something along the lines that we're already ruled by ruthless, opaque algorithms in our everyday life; why can't we just have one little corner in the world without them?"
"I have no grand plans for some sort of insane monetized hyper-calculating TikTok algorithm," Gemal told us. "It is anti-algorithmic, if anything."
Ill just repeat that last line again for you:
"It is anti-algorithmic, if anything."
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As someone who loved the random article feature and will sometimes peruse Wikipedia at random, this is extremely fascinating to me.
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I don't get it, it's pretty lame. Just a list of articles. This would need some kind of flow. Maybe one that is continued depending on what topic one reads.
Something. I think, I'll try to make this ... -
There is no need to communicate like this. I actually had already learned about this app and checked it out yesterday on a different community with way less people and there was no article there. I just saw the opportunity of this post as way to discuss it.
I like to make a few things clear that seem to cause confusion.
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I made my post in full understanding that it probably does not feature a "preference based algorithm", trying it out did not gave it the impression it did. But i want to be more sure there is nothing along those lines included and tried to engage in discussion about the need for preferential settings. Its somewhere between a genuine and rhetoric question.
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Call me Pedantric, trough i prefer autistic but "algoritm" has like i explained a specific meaning to me. Its mathematical formula for a specific purpose. The app in question is code, code is math. You can not tell me that the app uses NO algorithm, well oc you can but to my brain that does not compute. And any kind of preferential features would
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I disagree this (and many things) require a full fledged article, just a clear few line description or like including those quotes you put up here would do for me.
I know the internet likes to make everything into "news" but i don’t have to like or partake in that. I prefer to spend my time engaging on lemmy about the topic directly because that (this diverted discussion included) helps it grow.
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If you enjoy this, have a peek at The Jargon File. Classic hacker slang is something else.
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Algorithms themselves are fine. It’s wikipedia. I’d actually use it if it brought me to interesting pages based on a recommender algorithm.
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It needs the TikTok algorithm
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Think of it as a methadone clinic for doomscrollers.
