Fork Social Media and the Algorithm it Rode in on (Jailbird Stories) (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781735904351)

Stories collected by the author about those who have been banned and restricted from posting on social media, many times over innocent or harmless posts, because computer algorithms don't understand humor, sarcasm or satire. It takes everything literally. Sudi (Rick) Karatas ended up a "Prisoner in the Social Media Site (Starts with an "F") slammer" when he commented "Stick a fork in him he's done" meaning the guy's career was over. Karatas was "charged" with "promoting violence" and he was "locked up" for 30 days in "Jail" unable to post. After a couple more "run ins" this book was born.

Thousands of others have also been wrongly accused and punished. Karatas collected stories which include those with the most outlandish and bizarre reasons they were locked up and punished. The funny stories may cause you to bust a gut (not literally, that reference would flag the algorithm). For example, "Bombing the basement for a flea infestation" was considered to be violent by the "Community Standards" bots. But there's a darker side to this phenomenon. Many small and individual owned businesses make their living either directly through or by using social media, it can in fact bring the entire business to a standstill. For example, Kelly O'Brien, a legitimate Dolly Parton tribute act, has had her page shut down several times. There is no way to challenge the bot's random decisions, no humans available, and users are stuck with the decision, despite the real and serious consequences to their livelihoods. As the author explores these stories, he hopes comedy in the face of serious and often detrimental acts by one of America's business giants can make a difference.