Social media algorithms amplify negativity by optimizing for "revealed preference" (what you click on, e.g., car crashes). AI models, however, operate on aspirational choice (what you explicitly ask for). This fundamental difference means AI can reflect a more complex and wholesome version of humanity.

Social media has evolved into 'interest media.' The algorithm is so effective that the content itself—the words you use, your background, your appearance—is the primary targeting mechanism. Instead of chasing broad appeal, create content specifically for your ideal avatar, and the platform will find them for you.

Deleting an app like Instagram for many months causes its algorithm to lose understanding of your interests. Upon returning, the feed is generic and unengaging, creating a natural friction that discourages re-addiction. A short, week-long break, however, triggers aggressive re-engagement tactics from the platform.

Social media algorithms can be trained. By actively blocking or marking unwanted content as "not interested," users can transform their "for you" page from a source of distracting content into a valuable, curated feed of recommended information.

Platforms are moving beyond engagement metrics like clicks and watch time. The next frontier is optimizing for a user's entire lifespan (LTV) by showing content that increases their long-term value as a consumer, such as educational material that leads to higher-paying jobs and greater purchasing power.

Users can now manually add or remove interest categories to customize their feed algorithm. This allows creators with a well-defined niche to be directly recommended to users who have explicitly expressed interest in that topic, leveling the playing field for smaller accounts to get discovered.

Adam Mosseri's 5-year vision for Instagram is not just better recommendations, but giving users direct, 'hands-on' control to shape their own algorithms. This moves beyond passive consumption to active curation, allowing users to 'touch metal' and build their own feeds.

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram no longer primarily show content from accounts you follow. Their algorithms serve content based on demonstrated interests. This means content quality and relevance now trump follower count, leveling the playing field for new creators.

Pinterest reframed its AI goal from maximizing view time based on instinctual reactions (System 1) to promoting content based on deliberate user actions like saves (System 2). This resulted in self-help and DIY content surfacing over enraging material, making users feel better after using the platform.