The algorithmic life is no longer a speculative vision—it is the reality shaping economies, societies, and the daily rhythms of billions. Algorithms mediate what we see, buy, believe, and even how we vote. On September 22, 2025, Faculty’s Tom Oliver called attention to a core tension: the alignment problem. Powerful artificial intelligence is increasingly capable, but ensuring these systems reflect human values and intentions remains a work in progress. Technical advances promise more capable algorithms, yet as Oliver points out, deciding which goals are worth optimizing is a complex societal challenge, not just a technical one. The debate about who decides what “alignment” means—often dominated by a small, homogeneous group of experts—raises real concerns about democratic representation and control.Recent events underscore this theme. Less than 48 hours ago, CNN reported that Oracle will take control of TikTok’s algorithm in the US after years of political controversy. As social media platforms become ever more embedded in cultural and political discourse, who governs these algorithms—private tech giants, governments, or independent bodies—has deep and real-world consequences.Meanwhile, the scale of the algorithmic revolution is staggering. Bain & Company’s 2025 Technology Report reveals AI’s compute demand is growing at twice the historic rate of Moore’s law, threatening to outpace the physical and fiscal limits of data center expansions. The investment needed to sustain this growth is so immense—hundreds of billions annually—that without innovation or breakthroughs, only the wealthiest enterprises or nation-states may be able to keep up.On the human side, Psychology Today this week explored the psychological costs of algorithmic living. Many listeners find themselves trapped in feedback loops, where algorithms curate not what they want but what keeps them emotionally hooked. This loss of digital agency can lead to anxiety and a narrowing of digital experience, but experts say it’s not inevitable. Strategies like curating the content we consume, disrupting predictable patterns, or seeking technological “middleware” that empowers individual control can foster healthier relationships with our algorithmic environments.It’s clear the algorithmic life brings unprecedented power and challenge. Technical breakthroughs—smarter, more efficient algorithms, or even quantum leaps—may ease the environmental and economic burden. Yet the deeper lesson is that alignment, agency, and oversight must be built into the very fabric of algorithmic design and governance.As algorithms continue to shape possibilities in AI, social media, commerce, and governance, listeners everywhere play a role. By demanding transparency, agency, and a seat at the table, society can influence the kind of algorithmic life we inherit. Thank you for tuning in and please remember to subscribe. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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