Finding Ly- Ang #2 Your Algorithm Thinks You’re Always Right—And That’s a Problem

Let’s play a game. Open your social media app of choice, scroll for two minutes, and take note of what you see. A bunch of posts you agree with? People who share your values? Memes that reinforce your opinions? Congratulations—you’re living in an echo chamber, my friend.

See, social media has become the ultimate hype man. It’s that one friend who always agrees with you, no matter how ridiculous your take is. You think the Earth is flat? The algorithm will hook you up with a whole community of like-minded individuals, complete with videos, research (read: nonsense), and a merch store selling "Flat Earth Forever" t-shirts.

The Algorithm: Your Friendly Neighborhood Enabler

Social media’s entire business model is built on engagement. The more time you spend scrolling, liking, sharing, and arguing in the comments, the more ads they can show you. And what keeps you engaged the longest? Content that reinforces what you already believe.

That’s why your feed looks like a curated museum of your opinions. You liked one post about financial independence? Boom—your feed is now a TED Talk about quitting your job, moving to Bali, and living off coconut water. You watched one video about why breakfast is a scam? Say hello to an endless stream of anti-breakfast propaganda.

And the worst part? This isn’t just about food preferences or financial advice. This is happening with politics, religion, health, relationships—*everything.*

Welcome to the Great Divide

This is why we’re all yelling at each other on the internet. We’re not even having the same conversations. One person is out here convinced the world is on fire, while someone else’s algorithm has been feeding them nothing but cat videos and DIY candle-making.

Because you’re only seeing one side, you start believing that the other side must be completely unhinged. They’re crazy. They’re brainwashed. They must be morally corrupt.

Meanwhile, they’re looking at you like you are the unhinged one.

And so the divide gets wider, the arguments get dumber, and the internet becomes one big, exhausting, never-ending family dinner where Uncle Bob won’t shut up about conspiracy theories.

The Danger of Never Being Wrong

Look, I love a good ego boost as much as the next person. Who doesn’t enjoy feeling like they’ve got life all figured out? But if you never hear an opposing view, never get challenged, never have to defend your stance—are you even thinking anymore?

When was the last time you read something that genuinely made you uncomfortable? When was the last time you sat with an opinion that didn’t align with yours and tried to understand it, instead of immediately dismissing it as nonsense?

Because here’s the truth: Growth doesn’t happen in an echo chamber.

If you only surround yourself with people who agree with you, you’re not learning. You’re just reinforcing your existing beliefs. And that’s a fast track to intellectual laziness.

So, What Can You Do?

I get it, breaking free from the algorithm’s grip is hard. But you don’t have to delete your apps and go live in the woods (unless that’s your vibe—no judgment). Just start small:

1. Follow people you disagree with – No, not the ones who make you want to throw your phone across the room. But thoughtful, intelligent people who see the world differently.

2. Read outside your bubble – If all your news comes from one source, mix it up. Get a different perspective. See what the other side is saying.

3. Ask questions instead of shutting down – Next time you see an opinion that makes your blood pressure rise, take a breath and ask: Why do they think this way? What experiences led them here?

4. Engage, don’t argue – The goal isn’t to win a debate. It’s to understand. If you’re just waiting for your turn to speak, you’re not really listening.

At the end of the day, being challenged doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It just means you’re growing.

And if that sounds exhausting, just remember: The alternative is living in a world where your opinions never evolve. And honestly, that’s way more terrifying than reading one uncomfortable article.

So go ahead—shake up your algorithm. Give your brain some exercise. Who knows? You might just learn something new.

See you next Wednesday—unless your algorithm decides otherwise.

Until then, stay curious, stay wacky, and maybe go read an article from “the other side.” You might hate it, but hey, that’s kind of the point.