Hacker News with Generative AI: Manipulation

The Lie That Facebook Sold You (havenweb.org)
Facebook should be those things. It used to and it even pretends to still be those things–but it isn’t. That’s the lie that gets you in the door, and then Facebook uses every nasty trick it can to do one thing: keep you scrolling.
Kill your Feeds – Stop letting algorithms dictate what you think (usher.dev)
We are being boiled like frogs. It happened gradually, one algorithmic tweak at a time. What started as a way to connect with friends has become a system that gives the corporations that run social media control over what we consume and the ability to subtly shape how we think.
Like It or Not, AI Is Learning How to Manipulate You (venturebeat.com)
I reminisce because in 1980 a skilled human could observe these AI agents, decode their unique personalities and use those insights to outsmart them. Now, 45 years later, the tides are about to turn. Like it or not, AI agents will soon be deployed that are tasked with decoding your personality so they can use those insights to optimally influence you.
How hucksters are manipulating Google to promote shady Chrome extensions (arstechnica.com)
The people overseeing the security of Google’s Chrome browser explicitly forbid third-party extension developers from trying to manipulate how the browser extensions they submit are presented in the Chrome Web Store.
How They Control You (defragzone.substack.com)
We can fact-check anything in seconds, learn from endless resources, and stay informed 24/7. So, why are the masses still so easy to manipulate? Simple: manipulation is a science, and those who master it always win. Politicians and leaders know the secret formula to control people’s fears, emotions, and instincts. The result? The same old con, working better than ever.
Research into trans medicine has been manipulated? (economist.com)
How to recognize a psyop in three easy steps (buttondown.email)
Agents of Manipulation (the real AI risk) (venturebeat.com)