Home | Ikaros Project

The immediate goal of Project Icarus is to bring experts and legislators togetherThe immediate goal of Project Icarus is to bring experts and legislators together.

The immediate goal of Project Icarus is to bring experts and legislators together to craft an Executive Order for President Biden banning the use of addictive engagement algorithms to be signed in his first year in office.

The function of government at its core is to protect the people-- and as such, nearly every country has a long history of regulation regarding harmful, addictive, or otherwise objectionable business practices and substances.

In a time of unprecedented division, so starkly different from only a decade ago and unrecognizable to those of us who remember the 2000s, we must look again to the federal government to protect the people and the unified fabric of our society.

As repeatedly shown by scientific studies, human psychology experts, and industry insiders, the social engagement algorithms that drive our online newsfeeds are powerfully addictive, exceedingly divisive, and more profitable than the world's most prolific drug cartels.

In short, Americans are being intentionally addicted to political division for profit. This must end. The goal of Project Icarus is to reduce the power of online division by removing its most insidious qualities: the addictive engagement algorithm, and in-line paid content disguised as normal content.

We view the prevailing situation as a national emergency given the current pandemic and the vast amount of online disinformation. Swift action is needed to prevent further harm. As such, the immediate goal of Project Icarus is to bring experts and legislators together to craft an Executive Order for President Biden banning the use of addictive algorithms to be signed in his first year in office.

The Project will subsequently seek to help craft federal legislation to address the issue in a more nuanced and long-term fashion that protects the right to free speech without enabling those who would do us harm for profit.

WHO WE ARE

Our Roots

Here at Ikaros Project, we know that sometimes all it takes to change the world is a little support. Since our founding in 2000, we have been determined to make an impact. The core of our efforts is to bring our team’s fresh ideas and passion to the range of activities we’re involved in. Through all of our endeavors we hope to display the conviction behind our beliefs.