Feeding the algorithm

The Hotpot | February 2026 | By Lisanne

30.12

Algorithms don’t know the difference between content we love or hate.

They don’t see the difference between a cute video of a cat headbutting its owner or watching questionable videos from war zones.

Algorithms don’t notice delight or discomfort.

But they do notice attention.

Because a pause is a pause. And a comment is a comment.

Love, outrage, curiosity—it all looks the same in the ledger.

When we linger on what we dislike, the algorithm learns one thing: more of this, please.

This means the subtle power move isn’t complaining about the feed—it’s choosing what we feed back.

What do you want more of tomorrow?

Today’s attention is already training it.

Thank you for reading. The journal prompt of today: 

What would you love to see more of in your feed?

Let me know in the comments.