< Navigating Information Landscapes

Navigating Information Landscapes/Ulysses Pact Recommendations

Ulysses and the Sirens, painting by John William Waterhouse

A Ulysses pact is a precommitment strategy used to limit future choices, helping individuals stick to their long-term goals by preventing short-term impulses from taking over. In the context of preventing attention manipulation by recommender systems, here are several types of Ulysses pacts that can be employed:[1]

1. Time-Limiting Pacts

  • App and Website Blockers: Use tools like Freedom, StayFocusd[2], or Cold Turkey[3] to block or limit access to specific websites or apps that use aggressive recommendation algorithms.
  • Scheduled Internet Access: Configure your router or device to allow internet access only during specific hours for non-work-related browsing.
  • Time Capping on Social Media: Set daily limits on apps like YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram through built-in settings or third-party apps.

2. Content-Limiting Pacts

  • Deactivating Recommendations: Disable auto-play and suggested content where possible, such as on YouTube and Netflix.
  • Manual Curation: Use RSS feeds, curated newsletters, or bookmarking tools instead of relying on algorithmic feeds.
  • Text-Only or Reader Mode: View articles and web pages in text-only formats to avoid visual distractions like thumbnails and clickbait headlines.

3. Physical Barrier Pacts

  • Device-Free Zones: Keep smartphones and computers out of bedrooms, dining areas, or other places where focused or social activities should take place.
  • Phone Lockboxes: Use physical safes or time-locked boxes to keep your devices away for set periods.
  • Dedicated Work Devices: Use separate devices for work and leisure to prevent algorithm-driven distractions from creeping into productive time.

4. Social and Accountability Pacts

  • Public Declarations: Announce your intention to limit recommender system use to friends or online communities for accountability.
  • Peer Monitoring: Have a trusted friend or family member help enforce restrictions on your digital consumption.
  • Group Challenges: Join communities that promote digital minimalism, such as the "No Surf"[4] movement or "Digital Declutter" challenges.

5. Monetary Commitment Pacts

  • Financial Penalties: Use services like StickK or Beeminder[5], where you pledge money to a cause you dislike if you fail to limit your use of attention-draining apps.
  • Subscription Over Free Services: Pay for premium versions of services to remove ads and algorithmic recommendations, opting for chronological feeds when possible.

6. Alternative Engagement Pacts

  • Reading or Offline Activities: Commit to reading books, writing, or engaging in hobbies instead of algorithm-driven media consumption.
  • Designing a Digital Diet: Decide in advance what types of content you will consume and stick to a structured plan rather than letting algorithms decide for you.

7. Algorithmic Disruption Pacts

  • Intentional Feed Manipulation: Interact only with high-quality content so that the algorithm prioritizes better recommendations.
  • Use Alternative Platforms: Choose platforms that use chronological feeds rather than algorithmic suggestions (e.g., RSS readers, forums like Hacker News).

By implementing a combination of these Ulysses pacts, individuals can take proactive control over their attention and resist the manipulative tactics of recommender systems.

References

  1. ↑ ChatGPT generated this text responding to the prompt: “Describe a variety of Ulysses pacts that can be used to prevent your attention from being manipulated by recommender systems”.
  2. ↑ "StayFocusd".
  3. ↑ "Cold Turkey".
  4. ↑ "NoSurf".
  5. ↑ "BeeMinder".
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