Chapter 8 of Eli Pariser’s The Filter Bubble focuses in on what can be done to eliminate, or at least reduce, the personalization of the internet. Suggestions of action are targeted towards three major groups; individuals, companies, and, governments & citizens. Some suggestions provided seem to be likely feasible and based on individual efforts, while some suggestions are near impossible due to conflicting interests, lack of incentive or absence of regulation.

The strongest idea that Pariser has for popping the filter bubble is “Stop being a mouse.” (P223) This suggestion is directed towards all individuals and can be successfully attained by the sole efforts of an individual. The mouse traps currently existent on the internet are very efficient, given the average user of the internet is interested in merely a handful of websites, sources, and, topics therefore putting themselves right in the “bubble” or mouse trap. This does not necessarily mean individuals are narrow-minded with few interests, that small loop of websites might be used for a purpose such as business processes, and in business time is money so there is no time to take the long route. Even on a personal interest level, “habits are hard to break” (P223) but extending interests into new territory, increases the playing field of your personalization algorithms and discourages being closed in a small filter-bubble.

The weakest idea that Pariser has for popping the filter bubble is the proposed idea of the FTC to create a Do Not Track list (P238). At some point on the internet we have all attempted “private browsing” or reject access to cookies, to realize that many websites and applications do not work as they should, or may deny access altogether. Ebay, Amazon, Facebook, Google Dashboard are not the same without personalization characteristics and are therefore a MUST to provide. The Do Not Track list would “offer a binary choice-either your in or you’re out” (P238). So now if we are members of the DNT list, seems like websites (that use personalization) will not work properly or not even at all. If Google no longer collects our personal info in exchange for free tools and email, will we have a monthly email subscription and pay-per-google-search? The Do Not Track idea works for phone numbers because there is no exchange going on, its eliminating the spam while maintaining functionality, but on the internet one cannot always expect something-for-nothing. In exchange for data, individuals do receive a lot of tools and convenience to make the internet what it is today.