<!--*Bot logic* refers to the situational effect of bots upon a socio-technical ecology and their potential to infiltrate and co-exist with server-side conditions. -->
<!--*Bot logic* refers to the situational effect of bots upon a socio-technical ecology and their potential to infiltrate and co-exist with server-side conditions. -->
The term *bot logic* is phrased as a response to *platform logic*, which Jonas Andersson Schwarz describes as
The term *bot logic* is phrased as [claim your term!] a response to *platform logic*, which Jonas Andersson Schwarz describes as
> digital platforms enacting a twofold logic of micro-level technocentric control and macro-level geopolitical domination, while at the same time having a range of generative outcomes, arising between these two levels[^platformlogic].
> digital platforms enacting a twofold logic of micro-level technocentric control and macro-level geopolitical domination, while at the same time having a range of generative outcomes, arising between these two levels[^platformlogic]. [this needs a bit of further unpacking it is too abstract to comprehend now]
To unpack the term *bot logic* further, we will look at four differences between *bot logic* and *platform logic*.
To unpack the term *bot logic* further, we will look at [replace will look at with explore]four differences between *bot logic* and *platform logic*.
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* Where platform logic accumulates, *bot logic* disperses
* Where platform logic accumulates, *bot logic* disperses
On commercial platforms, the engagement of users equals economic value that is translated through data capture and organisation. Metadata is extracted from users that then through pattern matching can be used to target users for advertisements. While bots can and do participate in this economy, they can also enable its sabotage. In the case of buying bot followers, this can be a means to generate noise in the collected dataset and blur the perception of the user as a set of behaviours that the platform has.
On commercial platforms, the engagement of users equals [perhaps creates rather than equals] economic value that is translated through data capture and organisation. Metadata is extracted from users that then through pattern matching can be used to target users for advertisements. While bots can and do participate in this economy, they can also enable its sabotage. In the case of buying bot followers, this can be a means to generate noise in the collected dataset and blur the perception of the user as a set of behaviours that the platform has.
* Where platform logic centralises, *bot logic* fragments
* Where platform logic centralises, *bot logic* fragments
@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ If we think about a commercial platform as a structure or surface on which actio
All of these points were written with commercial platforms in mind, however, exciting developments are happening in federated platforms such as Mastodon, where users are part of defining features and possibilities of interaction. There, the norms of the platform and the way they are codified into the technical structure are more often revised and reformulated together with the people using the platform, as Aymeric Mansoux and Roel Roscam Abbing have pointed out in their article *Seven Theses on the Fediverse and the Becoming of FLOSS*[^theses].
All of these points were written with commercial platforms in mind, however, exciting developments are happening in federated platforms such as Mastodon, where users are part of defining features and possibilities of interaction. There, the norms of the platform and the way they are codified into the technical structure are more often revised and reformulated together with the people using the platform, as Aymeric Mansoux and Roel Roscam Abbing have pointed out in their article *Seven Theses on the Fediverse and the Becoming of FLOSS*[^theses].
This in itself creates a different space for bots, which are still active contributors in the way sociality is imagined on these platforms. However interestingly enough, with a different infrastructural system comes a different type of ruleset. On platforms like Mastodon, bots don't only need to comply to the terms of services of the API, but also to collective agreements such as a code of conduct.
This in itself creates a different space for bots, which are still active contributors in the way sociality is imagined on these platforms. However interestingly enough, with a different infrastructural system comes a different type of ruleset. On platforms like Mastodon, bots need to comply to the terms of services of the API, as well as to collective agreements such as a code of conduct.
Karin van Es
4 years ago