Horrible Facebook Algorithm Accident Results In Exposure To New Ideas.

Assuring users that the company’s entire team of engineers was working hard to make sure a glitch like this never happens again, Facebook executives confirmed during a press conference Tuesday that a horrible accident last night involving the website’s algorithm had resulted in thousands of users being exposed to new concepts.

“Unfortunately, late Monday evening, a major failure in our news feed program allowed a significant number of users to come into contact with concepts unfamiliar to them,” said CEO Mark Zuckerberg, appearing contrite as he emphasized to reporters that the issue had been resolved and that it was now safe to visit the social media site again without fear of encountering any opinions, notions, or perspectives not aligning with one’s existing worldview. …

“I want all Facebook users to know that you’ll never again encounter any ideas on our site that are in any way novel or ideologically challenging to you — that’s my personal promise.”

Just kidding. That story is on the Onion, a satirical site. Interesting that “everyone knows” Facebook is politically correct.

UPDATE: In real life, Facebook recently refused to boost an ad for a conference on minimum wages and the appeal was ignored. Here is the ad:

Are voters catching on to the minimum wage? This Star Tribune poll suggests they may be. But please come to our lunch forum on September 20 to hear all points of view!

Hardly racist, profane, sexist, etc. And here is what John Hinderaker concludes what happened:

So that makes me think that disapproving our ad must have been a human decision–a decision by a Facebook employee who didn’t want anyone hearing the arguments on the minimum wage, even where multiple points of view are represented. What other possibility is there?

hat-tip Philip Barton