Comments on: Explanatory algorithms http://overstated.net/2006/11/09/explanatory-algorithms a weblog by cameron marlow Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:03:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Greg http://overstated.net/2006/11/09/explanatory-algorithms/comment-page-1#comment-2681 Greg Tue, 21 Nov 2006 02:36:45 +0000 http://overstated.net/2006/11/09/explanatory-algorithms#comment-2681 I like your observation, but disagree with the conclusion. I agree that early recommendation systems would never had added this extra information in the result. Still, I disagree, that their doing so exposes their algorithm, or that the reason they didn't show reasons was because of a fear in doing so. First, the reasons shown are simply relevant attributes that are more a product of the algorithm, than they are the algorithm itself. I suspect selecting the appropriate attributes is most of the challenge in building the recommendation algorithm. Secondly, I think early adopters of recommendation systems liked its black box nature. They wanted the recommendation to be magical. "Wow, how did you know I needed new socks?" I like your observation, but disagree with the conclusion. I agree that early recommendation systems would never had added this extra information in the result. Still, I disagree, that their doing so exposes their algorithm, or that the reason they didn’t show reasons was because of a fear in doing so.

First, the reasons shown are simply relevant attributes that are more a product of the algorithm, than they are the algorithm itself. I suspect selecting the appropriate attributes is most of the challenge in building the recommendation algorithm.

Secondly, I think early adopters of recommendation systems liked its black box nature. They wanted the recommendation to be magical. “Wow, how did you know I needed new socks?”

]]> By: Paul http://overstated.net/2006/11/09/explanatory-algorithms/comment-page-1#comment-2614 Paul Thu, 16 Nov 2006 00:31:56 +0000 http://overstated.net/2006/11/09/explanatory-algorithms#comment-2614 Nice post ... My favorite example of why transparency in recommendations is important is found in this image on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolemite/61664428/ Nice post …

My favorite example of why transparency in recommendations is important is found in this image on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolemite/61664428/

]]> By: Adrienne http://overstated.net/2006/11/09/explanatory-algorithms/comment-page-1#comment-2582 Adrienne Tue, 14 Nov 2006 15:00:25 +0000 http://overstated.net/2006/11/09/explanatory-algorithms#comment-2582 You know the problem with iLike's current algorithm, though? It doesn't take into account the true music taste similarities. For example, I'm apparently very similar musically to someone named "mary m" because I said I liked Justin Timberlake. Similarities end there, however, as her actual playlist shows a perplexing predilection for Beyonce, Nick Lachey, and N'Sync. She's not actually indicated any artists using the "iLike" feature, so based (incorrectly) on the assumption that I like Timberlake and she's *played* lots of JT, the system ranks us as being supremely compatible. People who have actually listed a number of artists using the iLike feature (i'M bEginnIng to hAte sEcondary cAps) are generally appearing as only medium-compatible with me. This just doesn't work. You know the problem with iLike’s current algorithm, though? It doesn’t take into account the true music taste similarities. For example, I’m apparently very similar musically to someone named “mary m” because I said I liked Justin Timberlake. Similarities end there, however, as her actual playlist shows a perplexing predilection for Beyonce, Nick Lachey, and N’Sync. She’s not actually indicated any artists using the “iLike” feature, so based (incorrectly) on the assumption that I like Timberlake and she’s *played* lots of JT, the system ranks us as being supremely compatible. People who have actually listed a number of artists using the iLike feature (i’M bEginnIng to hAte sEcondary cAps) are generally appearing as only medium-compatible with me.

This just doesn’t work.

]]> By: Ben http://overstated.net/2006/11/09/explanatory-algorithms/comment-page-1#comment-2521 Ben Fri, 10 Nov 2006 04:49:22 +0000 http://overstated.net/2006/11/09/explanatory-algorithms#comment-2521 Digg users reverse engineering the new algo create a new unofficial FAQ: http://www.seopedia.org/tips-tricks/social-media/the-digg-algorithm-unofficial-faq/ Digg users reverse engineering the new algo create a new unofficial FAQ: http://www.seopedia.org/tips-tricks/social-media/the-digg-algorithm-unofficial-faq/

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