You Can’t Have Nice Things Because the Algorithm Won’t Let You | Shimmy Says Ep. 48

In this episode of Shimmy Says, Alan Shimel takes on algorithmic influence, bot amplification and the growing power of engagement-driven social media feeds.

From recent reporting on automated accounts boosting political messaging to broader research on computational propaganda, the real issue isn’t left vs. right. It’s humans vs. systems engineered for engagement at any cost.

Are algorithms shaping what you believe?
Are bots manufacturing consensus?
And what happens to democracy when machine optimization outweighs human judgment?

This isn’t hype. It’s architecture.

Watch now and join the conversation.