Algorithm
The rules that define how you and your data are processed, classified, and directed. (see also Media)
How We Say It
alΒ·gΙΒ·rithΒ·Ιm
Where It Comes From
From the name of 9th-century Persian mathematician al-Khwarizmi, whose treatises on Indian numerals entered Europe through Latin translation. The Latinized algorismus originally meant the decimal number system. The modern computational meaning emerged in the 20th century.
How It's Been Used
Technical in computer science β a finite sequence of well-defined instructions. Acquired its cultural weight with social media and recommendation systems in the 2010s. 'The algorithm' is now used as a quasi-mythic actor that decides what people see, hear, and buy β a deflection of responsibility from the humans who design and deploy them.