Algorithms have taken on an almost mythical significance in the modern world. They determine what you see on social media and when browsing online, help form people’s belief systems, and impact the ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Imagine a town with two widget merchants. Customers prefer cheaper widgets, so the merchants must compete to set the lowest price.

Have you ever wondered why certain posts always appear at the top of your Instagram or Facebook feed while others seem to vanish into oblivion? The truth lies in powerful, ever-evolving algorithms ...