• The downside of online personalization: Eli Pariser, who’s the board president for MoveOn.org and the author of “The Filter Bubble” (above), says that there’s a pretty troubling blind spot with online personalization — it hides opinions you may not like, but are important to know nonetheless. “People love the idea of having their feelings affirmed,” he notes. “If you can provide that warm, comfortable sense without tipping your hand that your algorithm is pandering to people, then all the better.” It’s a problem with wide implications — it can reinforce views, produce blind spots, and prevent you from challenging your own opinions. Your opinions deserved to be challenged, kids — including by Google. source

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