Why Computer Algorithms Are Not as Neutral as They Seem

Understanding Persuasive Computer Algorithms

Persuasive computer algorithms influence how people experience the digital world. In “A Theory of Persuasive Computer Algorithms for Rhetorical Code Studies,” Estee Beck explains how algorithms shape what people see online and affect important decisions. Before reading this article, I mostly thought of algorithms as tools that help websites work, recommend content, or make searching easier. However, Beck made me realize that these systems can also affect fairness and opportunities.

When Algorithms Make Unfair Decisions

One example that stood out to me was an American Express customer whose credit limit dropped even though she had a good credit score and paid her bills on time. The company’s algorithm considered other customers who had shopped at the same store. Those customers had a poor repayment history, so the company lowered her credit limit. I found this example interesting because the decision did not reflect her own financial behavior. It made me question how often people face judgments based on information they cannot see or control.

How Algorithms Influence Our Everyday Lives

Beck argues that algorithms can persuade people by influencing their actions and experiences. This idea is especially relevant today because we use technology every day. Social media platforms choose which posts appear in our feeds. Shopping websites recommend products, and search engines organize information. People design these systems and decide how they work. As a result, human beliefs and biases can influence the technology we use.

Why We Should Question Computer Algorithms

What I took away from this article is that we should not assume technology is fair just because a computer makes the decision. Algorithms can be useful, but we should question who creates them, what information they use, and who their decisions might hurt. I believe companies should explain how their algorithms work, especially when they influence important decisions about people’s lives. People deserve a fair chance to understand and question decisions that affect them.

The Impact of Persuasive Computer Algorithms

Overall, Beck’s article changed the way I think about computer algorithms. They do more than make websites function. They can influence what people see, what information they receive, and how others treat them. As technology becomes a bigger part of everyday life, we need to understand its influence. We should use technology responsibly and question its decisions when they seem unfair.