ABSTRACT

Algorithms make highly consequential decisions and, thereby, exercise considerable power. In this study, I investigate how social power through algorithms is exercised in media consumption, particularly through curation algorithms. This conceptual paper then contributes to the understanding of social power through algorithms by suggesting the concept of algorithmic meta-capital. The concept derives from Bourdieu’s theory on meta-capital which has also been applied to legacy media. I then argue that this algorithmic meta-capital is an extension of the power traditionally held by the state and legacy media. The study also contributes to the understanding of meta-capital as it proposes how the meta-capital possessed by digital intermediaries functions. It does so by legitimating representations of the world and by creating a necessity for algorithmic visibility across different fields, thereby shaping habitus. This Bourdieusian approach enables researchers to take a balanced view on the power of algorithms on the structure/agency continuum.

摘要

算法会做出非常重要的决定，从而行使相当大的权力。在这项研究中，我研究了如何通过算法在媒体消费中行使社会权力，特别是通过策展算法。然后，这篇概念性论文通过提出算法元资本的概念，有助于通过算法理解社会权力。这个概念源于布迪厄的元资本理论，该理论也被应用于传统媒体。然后，我认为这种算法元资本是传统上由国家和传统媒体拥有的权力的延伸。该研究还有助于理解元资本，因为它提出了数字中介所拥有的元资本如何发挥作用。它通过使世界的表征合法化并为跨不同领域的算法可见性创造必要性来做到这一点，从而塑造习惯。这种布迪厄斯方法使研究人员能够对算法在结构/机构连续体上的力量采取平衡的看法。