Defining Algorithmic Ideology: Using Ideology Critique to Scrutinize Corporate Search Engines
This article conceptualizes “algorithmic ideology” as a valuable tool to understand and critique corporate search engines in the context of wider socio-political developments. Drawing on critical theory it shows how capitalist value-systems manifest in search technology, how they spread through algo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Paderborn University: Media Systems and Media Organisation Research Group
2014-02-01
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| Series: | tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique |
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| Online Access: | https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/439 |
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| author | Astrid Mager |
| author_facet | Astrid Mager |
| author_sort | Astrid Mager |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article conceptualizes “algorithmic ideology” as a valuable tool to understand and critique corporate search engines in the context of wider socio-political developments. Drawing on critical theory it shows how capitalist value-systems manifest in search technology, how they spread through algorithmic logics and how they are stabilized in society. Following philosophers like Althusser, Marx and Gramsci it elaborates how content providers and users contribute to Google’s capital accumulation cycle and exploitation schemes that come along with it. In line with contemporary mass media and neoliberal politics they appear to be fostering capitalism and its “commodity fetishism” (Marx). It further reveals that the capitalist hegemony has to be constantly negotiated and renewed. This dynamic notion of ideology opens up the view for moments of struggle and counter-actions. “Organic intellectuals” (Gramsci) can play a central role in challenging powerful actors like Google and their algorithmic ideology. To pave the way towards more democratic information technology, however, requires more than single organic intellectuals. Additional obstacles need to be conquered, as I finally discuss. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-76a8ea24362c488591634eb44e369f43 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1726-670X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2014-02-01 |
| publisher | Paderborn University: Media Systems and Media Organisation Research Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique |
| spelling | doaj-art-76a8ea24362c488591634eb44e369f432025-08-20T03:39:21ZengPaderborn University: Media Systems and Media Organisation Research GrouptripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique1726-670X2014-02-0112110.31269/triplec.v12i1.439439Defining Algorithmic Ideology: Using Ideology Critique to Scrutinize Corporate Search EnginesAstrid MagerThis article conceptualizes “algorithmic ideology” as a valuable tool to understand and critique corporate search engines in the context of wider socio-political developments. Drawing on critical theory it shows how capitalist value-systems manifest in search technology, how they spread through algorithmic logics and how they are stabilized in society. Following philosophers like Althusser, Marx and Gramsci it elaborates how content providers and users contribute to Google’s capital accumulation cycle and exploitation schemes that come along with it. In line with contemporary mass media and neoliberal politics they appear to be fostering capitalism and its “commodity fetishism” (Marx). It further reveals that the capitalist hegemony has to be constantly negotiated and renewed. This dynamic notion of ideology opens up the view for moments of struggle and counter-actions. “Organic intellectuals” (Gramsci) can play a central role in challenging powerful actors like Google and their algorithmic ideology. To pave the way towards more democratic information technology, however, requires more than single organic intellectuals. Additional obstacles need to be conquered, as I finally discuss.https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/439Search EngineAlgorithmCritical TheoryIdeologyCapitalismBusiness Model |
| spellingShingle | Astrid Mager Defining Algorithmic Ideology: Using Ideology Critique to Scrutinize Corporate Search Engines tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique Search Engine Algorithm Critical Theory Ideology Capitalism Business Model |
| title | Defining Algorithmic Ideology: Using Ideology Critique to Scrutinize Corporate Search Engines |
| title_full | Defining Algorithmic Ideology: Using Ideology Critique to Scrutinize Corporate Search Engines |
| title_fullStr | Defining Algorithmic Ideology: Using Ideology Critique to Scrutinize Corporate Search Engines |
| title_full_unstemmed | Defining Algorithmic Ideology: Using Ideology Critique to Scrutinize Corporate Search Engines |
| title_short | Defining Algorithmic Ideology: Using Ideology Critique to Scrutinize Corporate Search Engines |
| title_sort | defining algorithmic ideology using ideology critique to scrutinize corporate search engines |
| topic | Search Engine Algorithm Critical Theory Ideology Capitalism Business Model |
| url | https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/439 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT astridmager definingalgorithmicideologyusingideologycritiquetoscrutinizecorporatesearchengines |