Are we living in filter bubbles?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. Does your social media feed show you what you like?
2. Do you follow people who disagree with you?
3. Have you ever been surprised by someone's opinion online?
4. Do you think search results are the same for everybody?
5. How often do you read news from another country?
6. Have you ever changed your mind because of something online?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about online opinions.

Choose the word that fits.

1. A set of rules that a computer follows, such as the one that ranks posts in a feed, is an .
2. Adjusting content to match each user's past behaviour is called .
3. The growing gap between the political views of two groups is called .
4. Editors a front page by choosing and arranging the stories.
5. Regular to different sources helps readers understand other opinions.
6. She tried to understand the other side's even though she disagreed.
7. A group of friends includes people of different ages, backgrounds and opinions.
8. Seeing only similar posts can what people already believe.

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. an algorithm is a set of
   coloursroomsrules
2. polarisation is a growing
   bridgesplitmeal
   between groups
3. to curate = to select and
   deletearrangebury
   content
4. an echo chamber is a place where you hear only your own
   stepsviewsmusic
5. diverse = showing
   silencedangervariety
6. to reinforce = to make
   smallerolderstronger

Use these phrases to argue and to answer arguments.

• It could be argued that...Можна стверджувати, що...It could be argued that bubbles are exaggerated.
• One might object that...Можна заперечити, що...One might object that people choose their own news.
• This is not to say that...Це не означає, що...This is not to say that algorithms are harmless.
• While it may be true that...Хоча, можливо, це й правда, що...While it may be true that feeds are personal, ...
• ...it does not follow that......з цього не випливає, що...it does not follow that we cannot think freely.
• Admittedly,...Звісно, слід визнати,...Admittedly, the evidence is mixed.
• The evidence points to...Докази вказують на...The evidence points to a more complex picture.
• I would maintain that...Я наполягав би на тому, що...I would maintain that choice matters most.

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. Eli Pariser helped to popularise the term filter bubble.
   TrueFalse
2. The text says that all studies prove that algorithms alone cause polarisation.
   TrueFalse
3. The 2015 Facebook study suggested that personal choices limited exposure more than the algorithm.
   TrueFalse
4. The text says the researchers were completely independent of the company.
   TrueFalse
5. The text suggests that following a few sources that disagree can help.
   TrueFalse

1. Is the filter bubble a problem of technology or of human nature?
2. Should platforms show us more diverse views?
3. Would you choose a feed that challenges you?
4. Who is responsible for the quality of what we read?

Common mistakes: use It could be argued that + clause, One might object that + clause, This is not to say that + clause, and it does not follow that + clause. ✗ It could be argued to that → that. ✗ One might objects → object. ✗ This is not to say it is → that it is. ✗ It does not follows → does not follow.

1. It could be argued
   to thatthat
   bubbles are exaggerated.
2. One might
   objectsobject
   that people choose their own news.
3. This is not to say
   thatit
   algorithms are harmless.
4. It does not
   followfollows
   that we cannot think freely.
5. AdmittedAdmittedly
   , the evidence is mixed.
6. While it may be true that feeds are personal,
   it not followit does not follow
   that we are trapped.
7. Even if bubbles exist,
   they arethey were being
   not permanent.
8. I would
   maintainmaintains
   that choice matters most.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. It could be argued to that bubbles are exaggerated. →
2. One might objects that people choose their news. →
3. This is not to say it is harmless. →
4. It does not follows that we cannot think freely. →
5. Admitted, the evidence is mixed. →
6. I would maintains that choice matters most. →

Answer in detail. Use argument language and the grammar of Block 9.

1. It could be argued that social media is good for democracy. Do you agree?
2. One might object that people only read what they like. How would you answer?
3. This is not to say that technology is the only cause of polarisation. What else causes it?
4. While it may be true that we live in bubbles, does it follow that we cannot leave them?
5. Admittedly, I sometimes only follow people like me. What about you?
6. What does the evidence point to in your own experience?

Three people discuss filter bubbles. Compare them. Who is the most worried? Who is the most sceptical? Whose view is closest to yours?

Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: say whether you think filter bubbles are a real problem.
3. Part 2: use at least three argument phrases (It could be argued that, One might object that, This is not to say that, While it may be true that).
4. Part 3: say what you would change about your own news habits.

1. Does your feed show the same as your friends' feeds?
2. Do you follow people who disagree with you?
3. How often do you search for another view?
4. Have you ever been surprised by a search result?
5. Do you check the sources of what you read?
6. Which sites do you read every day?
7. Do you ever block people who disagree with you?
8. What do you scroll through most?

1. Who in your life has very different opinions from you?
2. Who do you discuss politics with?
3. Who shares the most news in your family?
4. Who curates your news?
5. Who should be responsible for diverse feeds?
6. Who in your life changed your mind?

1. Do algorithms divide society?
2. Should platforms show people opposing views?
3. Is it our own fault if we live in a bubble?
4. Is a diverse feed more tiring to read?
5. Will personalisation increase?