When the Algorithm Drowns Out Our Conscience

The Value of Our Voices

What is the value of our voices? Why do we need to use them and how?

These are questions that feel more relevant than ever today. One reason is global politics. If there is one thing that affects everyone on this planet, it is the influence of the decisions that politicians make all over the world. Their voices are important, and their actions even more so, but so are ours.

We live in a world where it has become so much easier to speak online, often about trivial topics, and to gain big crowds in the form of followers and viewers. But is this really the way we should use the opportunity to share our ideas, thoughts, and values with the world? Should we limit ourselves to chasing trends, or should we be brave enough to speak out on matters that truly shape our future?

Social Media: A Stage for Influence

Today social media is a big part of our lives. We use it for entertainment, for work, and increasingly for politics. Everyone who wants to build an engaged community around their ideas knows that the best way to achieve it is by using some kind of social media platform.

A clear example is the way big companies operate: they sometimes invest more in advertising and PR campaigns than in the quality of the service they provide. Why? Because popularity and visibility bring them more money and influence than the product alone. And political parties and even governments have learned this lesson very well.

Politics Between Transparency and Popularity

There are, of course, positive cases where social platforms are used to promote openness and civic engagement. A good example is the Party of Progress in the European Parliament, created by a young group in Germany. One of its members, Lucas Sieper, has made it his mission to make the life of a Member of Parliament more accessible and transparent for ordinary citizens.

But there are plenty of other cases where social media is not used to bring people closer to politics, but rather to manipulate them. The pursuit of popularity often overshadows the pursuit of truth, and this can erode trust in democratic institutions.

Propaganda, Algorithms, and AI

Personally, I see propaganda as the disease of our society. Of course, it is not something new it has been a powerful tool of manipulation throughout history, but it looks very different today. In the past, people relied mainly on newspapers, radio, and the oratory skills of leaders. Now, with the internet, access to false information is effortless, especially when the algorithms of every app are designed to show us more of the same content once we engage with it.

This cycle of reinforcement creates echo chambers where manipulation spreads quickly. And with the rise of artificial intelligence, the challenge is becoming even more complex. Today, some AI-generated content is still recognizable, but many people already believe it and fall into the trap of deception. It is frightening to imagine what will happen in the future when the technology improves and is used in even more sophisticated and harmful ways.

Our Responsibility in the Digital Age

Until that future comes, the responsibility lies with us. We must remain educated, critical, and rational in the way we process information and make decisions. Algorithms may shape what we see, but they do not have to dictate what we think.

The digital age gives us unprecedented opportunities to speak, to connect, and to influence. Whether we use that power to build a more transparent and informed society or allow it to drown in noise, propaganda, and manipulation depends on us.