Filter Bubbles? Also Protector Bubbles! Folk Theories of Zhihu Algorithms Among Chinese Gay Men
In light of the awareness that we know little about how algorithms are perceived by groups other than those in the mainstream, this study investigates how Chinese gay men on Zhihu generate folk theories of the operation and impact of the platform algorithms. After recruiting 16 long-term users on Zh...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Social Media + Society |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231168647 |
| _version_ | 1797843593346416640 |
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| author | Longxuan Zhao |
| author_facet | Longxuan Zhao |
| author_sort | Longxuan Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In light of the awareness that we know little about how algorithms are perceived by groups other than those in the mainstream, this study investigates how Chinese gay men on Zhihu generate folk theories of the operation and impact of the platform algorithms. After recruiting 16 long-term users on Zhihu as informants and conducting thematic analysis, two overarching themes are identified: (1) the algorithm as evictor, supported by the users’ folk theories of sidelining, disorganizing, and defaming; and (2) the algorithm as protector, supported by the users’ folk theories of shielding, recognizing, and exclusive networks. Based on the empirical data collected, this study provides inspiration for understanding algorithmic complexity, and challenges the mainstream appeal to break through filter bubbles (information cocoons) by indicating its (hetero)normativity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:07:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b2785ab0a4b84e37bd5f51a83e14a5c2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2056-3051 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:07:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Media + Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-b2785ab0a4b84e37bd5f51a83e14a5c22023-04-20T11:03:19ZengSAGE PublishingSocial Media + Society2056-30512023-04-01910.1177/20563051231168647Filter Bubbles? Also Protector Bubbles! Folk Theories of Zhihu Algorithms Among Chinese Gay MenLongxuan Zhao0London School of Economics and Political Science, UKIn light of the awareness that we know little about how algorithms are perceived by groups other than those in the mainstream, this study investigates how Chinese gay men on Zhihu generate folk theories of the operation and impact of the platform algorithms. After recruiting 16 long-term users on Zhihu as informants and conducting thematic analysis, two overarching themes are identified: (1) the algorithm as evictor, supported by the users’ folk theories of sidelining, disorganizing, and defaming; and (2) the algorithm as protector, supported by the users’ folk theories of shielding, recognizing, and exclusive networks. Based on the empirical data collected, this study provides inspiration for understanding algorithmic complexity, and challenges the mainstream appeal to break through filter bubbles (information cocoons) by indicating its (hetero)normativity.https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231168647 |
| spellingShingle | Longxuan Zhao Filter Bubbles? Also Protector Bubbles! Folk Theories of Zhihu Algorithms Among Chinese Gay Men Social Media + Society |
| title | Filter Bubbles? Also Protector Bubbles! Folk Theories of Zhihu Algorithms Among Chinese Gay Men |
| title_full | Filter Bubbles? Also Protector Bubbles! Folk Theories of Zhihu Algorithms Among Chinese Gay Men |
| title_fullStr | Filter Bubbles? Also Protector Bubbles! Folk Theories of Zhihu Algorithms Among Chinese Gay Men |
| title_full_unstemmed | Filter Bubbles? Also Protector Bubbles! Folk Theories of Zhihu Algorithms Among Chinese Gay Men |
| title_short | Filter Bubbles? Also Protector Bubbles! Folk Theories of Zhihu Algorithms Among Chinese Gay Men |
| title_sort | filter bubbles also protector bubbles folk theories of zhihu algorithms among chinese gay men |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231168647 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT longxuanzhao filterbubblesalsoprotectorbubblesfolktheoriesofzhihualgorithmsamongchinesegaymen |