Rigging The System

Can you trust statistics? Is there a way to rig the system? I would beg you to ponder this thought as you may be one to depend on online ranking systems to make your purchases!

I am not a computer programmer so I don't understand a lot of what I a talking about! But I have watched a video or two on algorithms.

algorithm: is a computer process to calculate information and do a specific task

Upon my research algorithms can get into a bidding war. Why? How? I am not sure. But why can't you depend on your gut reaction to like something by sight and touch? I've heard if you shop in person...if you reach out and touch something--most likely, you like it! Now reaching out may produce a learning opportunity on that product--maybe yo like the texture and maybe you don't!

I hesitate for you to trust any statistic because you don't know how it was calculated! And an algorithm can place an item in the top ranks and it may not be truthful. Are those product rankings really the top sellers? Or are they products produced to be at that rank with similar products to hide the true top ranking product? I might be goin gout on a limb here but evidence is not to trust the internet! Whatever happened to The Better Business Bureau? And how abou reading Consumer Reports?