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[–] 31 points 1 week ago (8 children)

"Algorithm" is not a synonym for "recommendation system".

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  • [–] 21 points 1 week ago (3 children)
  • [–] 2 points 1 week ago (2 children)

    It isn't, though, despite popular conception among those who don't understand computing.

    Any attempt to legislate this shit must be crystal clear and leave no room for technological ambiguity.

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  • [–] 0 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    It is though, because of popular conception. That's how language works.

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  • For your average Joe, yes, that is how language does and always has worked. Their level of education, understanding of the subject matter, etc. will have a massive impact on how our words shape the world.

    Outside of that context? No. Law, medicine, engineering, science, etc. still exist and the nature and meaning of our words will continue to be important.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 week ago (1 child)

    How is the starvation going? I assume when you go to the store with a shopping list that says "bread," you stand in front of the bread rack slack jawed. "White bread is not a synonym for bread," you shout! "Wheat bread does not encompass all breads!" I assume you stand there paralyzed for hours until the clerks finally call the mental health authorities to have you escorted out.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 week ago

    It's more comparable to say "let's ban products from stores" instead of saying a specific product or ingredient.

    An algorithm is just "if this then that", which is impossible to write software without (not assuming you don't know, just for anyone else reading).

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