Do Upvotes Show Democracy’s Flaws? | Idea Channel | PBS Digital Studios

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Are upvotes democratic? Supposedly, YikYak is a democratic social network, following the lead of forums like reddit that use upvoting as “community sourced decisions.” The IDEA behind both is that compelling, unique posts will float to the top, and weak ones will sink to the bottom. Reddit is a democracy! Much like The United States. HOWEVER, in both cases, the notion of true democracy may well be an illusion! Does seeing upvotes promote more upvotes? Does provocative content beget more provocative content? Is all content created equal? Watch this episode of PBS Idea Channel with Mike Rugnetta and find out!

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Sources
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/09/technology/popular-yik-yak-app-confers-anonymity-and-delivers-abuse.html?_r=0

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/341/6146/647.abstract

http://thenewinquiry.com/essays/very-serious-populists/

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Asset Links:

1:00
Constitutional Compromises: Crash Course Government and Politics #5

1:04
Farewell – The YouTube Nation Finale

3:05
http://www.dudelol.com/throw-ya-signs-up/
3:24
http://art.alphacoders.com/by_sub_category/195168
6:55
http://educationvotes.nea.org/2013/06/18/2013-nea-political-activist-of-the-year-finalist-wisconsins-colleen-robson/
7:21
http://peeringthrough.blogspot.com/

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Comment Links:
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ArdentDrops

Makutakanuva

Kayla Haffley

Merav Ulyansky

Dudu Maroja

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Written and hosted by Mike Rugnetta (@mikerugnetta)
(who also has a podcast! Reasonably Sound: http://bit.ly/1sCn0BF)

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