# Reading Response 8
## Nov 08 Tue - Manipulated
### *Manipulated & Instagram Pods*

Reviewing ... reviews ... is *pretty* meta. Take Heather Godwin's review for example.
We can see that one person has intentionally clicked the "helpful" button, letting everyone else know they found this review to be helpful. However, what encouraged Heather to comment in the first place? As [Reagle](https://readingthecomments.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/1cubrkat/release/2) wrote, "reviews tend to follow a "J-shape" distribution because people are most likely to participate when they have a strong positive or negative experience." People may leave reviews or comments when they feel particularly compelled to, for both the good and the bad. However, as Reagle mentions, reviews might not even be real. They could be faked in an attempt to gain more attraction from potential consumers. It is important, therefore, to recognize that reviews may be telling us exactly what we think we want to hear.

Likes and the "one person found this helpful"'s may not hold as much value as we think they should. Similar to the J-shape distribution for posting a review or other types of content, we do not really know if there are ulterior motives for someone boosting another person's post. As [Forsey](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/instagram-pods) wrote, Instagram pods are a way in which certain content gets valued over other content. A group of people (within a similar industry) like and comment on each other's posts to boost engagement. This engagement is picked up by the algorithm and therefore, broadcast to a larger audience.

While I am familiar with the concept of "like for like" or "follow for follow", I had never heard of the name itself for an "Instagram Pod". At first, I thought I would never do something like this. I could not see myself ever asking for engagement on one of my posts. However, as I thought about it more, I remembered I *technically* did when I announced my TJX co-op acceptance to my friends.

Here is a screenshot of our group chat:
Immediately, my one friend joked about not wanting to like my post since I did not like his. This, in a way, was my own Instagram Pod. Despite the fact that the articles for this response were written in 2015 and 2018, the concepts still remain applicable to today. Social media truly emphasizes exchanges in interaction rather than it being a way to share more about your life.