---
_id: '51345'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: <jats:p> The algorithmic imaginary as a theoretical concept has received increasing
    attention in recent years as it aims at users’ appropriation of algorithmic processes
    operating in opacity. But the concept originally only starts from the users’ point
    of view, while the processes on the platforms’ side are largely left out. In contrast,
    this paper argues that what is true for users is also valid for algorithmic processes
    and the designers behind. On the one hand, the algorithm imagines users’ future
    behavior via machine learning, which is supposed to predict all their future actions.
    On the other hand, the designers anticipate different actions that could potentially
    performed by users with every new implementation of features such as social media
    feeds. In order to bring into view this permanently reciprocal interplay coupled
    to the imaginary, in which not only the users are involved, I will argue for a
    more comprehensive and theoretically precise algorithmic imaginary referring to
    the theory of Cornelius Castoriadis. In such a perspective, an important contribution
    can be formulated for a theory of social media platforms that goes beyond praxeocentrism
    or structural determinism. </jats:p>
author:
- first_name: Christian
  full_name: Schulz, Christian
  id: '72684'
  last_name: Schulz
citation:
  ama: Schulz C. A new algorithmic imaginary. <i>Media, Culture &#38; Society</i>.
    2023;45(3):646-655. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221136014">10.1177/01634437221136014</a>
  apa: Schulz, C. (2023). A new algorithmic imaginary. <i>Media, Culture &#38; Society</i>,
    <i>45</i>(3), 646–655. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221136014">https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221136014</a>
  bibtex: '@article{Schulz_2023, title={A new algorithmic imaginary}, volume={45},
    DOI={<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221136014">10.1177/01634437221136014</a>},
    number={3}, journal={Media, Culture &#38; Society}, publisher={SAGE Publications},
    author={Schulz, Christian}, year={2023}, pages={646–655} }'
  chicago: 'Schulz, Christian. “A New Algorithmic Imaginary.” <i>Media, Culture &#38;
    Society</i> 45, no. 3 (2023): 646–55. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221136014">https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221136014</a>.'
  ieee: 'C. Schulz, “A new algorithmic imaginary,” <i>Media, Culture &#38; Society</i>,
    vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 646–655, 2023, doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221136014">10.1177/01634437221136014</a>.'
  mla: Schulz, Christian. “A New Algorithmic Imaginary.” <i>Media, Culture &#38; Society</i>,
    vol. 45, no. 3, SAGE Publications, 2023, pp. 646–55, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221136014">10.1177/01634437221136014</a>.
  short: C. Schulz, Media, Culture &#38; Society 45 (2023) 646–655.
date_created: 2024-02-14T09:21:17Z
date_updated: 2024-02-26T08:39:45Z
department:
- _id: '660'
doi: 10.1177/01634437221136014
intvolume: '        45'
issue: '3'
keyword:
- Sociology and Political Science
- Communication
language:
- iso: eng
page: 646-655
project:
- _id: '122'
  name: 'TRR 318 - B3: TRR 318 - Subproject B3'
publication: Media, Culture & Society
publication_identifier:
  issn:
  - 0163-4437
  - 1460-3675
publication_status: published
publisher: SAGE Publications
status: public
title: A new algorithmic imaginary
type: journal_article
user_id: '54779'
volume: 45
year: '2023'
...